At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to support individuals facing financial challenges in community and custodial settings.
- Company: Join The Wise Group, partnering with the Ministry of Justice for impactful change.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, competitive salary, and excellent benefits package.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and continuous improvement in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading teams and understanding financial challenges in justice services.
The predicted salary is between 29077 - 31500 £ per year.
Location: North West England (community and custodial)
Salary: £29,077 – £31,500 with excellent benefits
Hours: 35 hours per week (flexible working)
Status: Fixed term until 28th February 2027
Closing date: 11 June 2026
The Wise Group, in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and third-sector organisations, delivers the Finance, Benefit and Debt service across the North West of England. This role is about more than advice; it’s about helping people stabilise their finances, reduce crisis, and create the conditions for long-term change.
Working across prison and community settings, you will lead a team delivering one-to-one mentoring to men facing financial hardship, benefit challenges, and debt. You’ll work closely with probation, prison teams, and local partners to ensure people can access the right support at the right time. Using our Relational Mentoring approach, your team will build trusted relationships that go beyond transactional support - helping individuals make meaningful, sustained progress.
As Team Lead, you will play a key role in how this support is delivered - shaping team performance, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring we deliver high-quality, person-centred services that make a real difference.
What you’ll lead:
- People and performance: Recruit, onboard, and support mentoring staff delivering frontline interventions. Provide regular supervision, support wellbeing and performance, manage caseload allocation, and create a culture focused on accountability, rehabilitation, and outcomes.
- Service delivery: Ensure consistent, high-quality delivery across custodial and community settings. Support your team to address finance, benefits, and debt barriers that impact stability and resettlement.
- Partnerships and stakeholder engagement: Build strong working relationships with prisons, probation, Ministry of Justice partners, and third-sector organisations. Strengthen referral pathways and support collaborative delivery.
- Safeguarding, risk, and compliance: Ensure safe working practices are embedded, including risk assessment and safeguarding. Manage and escalate concerns appropriately and ensure compliance with all requirements.
- Data, quality, and performance: Oversee CRM systems, case recording, and performance reporting. Use data and insight to track progress, meet contractual requirements, and drive service improvement.
- Continuous improvement and change: Identify opportunities to improve delivery, gather feedback, and support the ongoing development of justice services across the North West.
What you’ll bring:
- Experience leading or coordinating frontline teams within criminal justice, social justice, employability, or related services.
- Strong people management and coaching skills, with the ability to build trust and accountability.
- Understanding of the challenges faced by people entering or leaving custody, particularly around finance, benefits, and debt.
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, partnership environment.
- Strong organisational and digital skills, including experience with CRM systems and performance reporting.
- Confidence building relationships with statutory and third-sector partners.
- A practical, solutions-focused approach and the ability to implement change.
Essential requirements:
- Full driving licence and access to a car for daily use.
- Willingness to travel across the North West, including custodial and community locations.
- Successful completion of enhanced Level 1 prison vetting.
- Home broadband to support flexible working.
- Experience of working in a custodial setting is advantageous.
View the Role Profile on our website for full details about this opportunity.
Team Lead (Justice Services) employer: The Wise Group
At the Wise Group, we pride ourselves on being a values-led social enterprise dedicated to transforming family support in West Lothian. Our flexible working hours and commitment to professional development ensure that our Mentors not only contribute to meaningful change but also grow personally and professionally within a supportive team environment. Join us to be part of a pioneering programme that connects communities and empowers families towards sustainable employment and wellbeing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Lead (Justice Services)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the justice services sector, attend relevant events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that job applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Understand their approach to mentoring and support, and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams or managed projects in the past. Highlight your ability to build trust and accountability within your team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Team Lead (Justice Services)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in leading teams within criminal justice or related services. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Team Lead, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your People Skills:Since this role is all about building trust and accountability, let us know about your people management and coaching experiences. Share specific examples of how you've supported team members or improved performance in previous roles.
Demonstrate Your Understanding:We’re looking for someone who understands the challenges faced by individuals in custody or transitioning back into the community. Use your application to show us that you get these issues and can provide practical solutions to help overcome them.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Wise Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Team Lead in Justice Services. Familiarise yourself with the challenges faced by individuals in custody and the importance of financial stability. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your passion for the role and how you can make a difference.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, especially in challenging environments. Highlight your people management and coaching skills, as well as any experience you have in building trust and accountability within a team.
✨Build Connections
Research the organisations you'll be working with, such as probation services and third-sector partners. Be ready to discuss how you would strengthen these partnerships and improve referral pathways, showing that you understand the collaborative nature of the role.
✨Be Solutions-Focused
Think about potential challenges in the role and come prepared with practical solutions. Discuss how you would address barriers related to finance, benefits, and debt for those you’ll be mentoring, demonstrating your proactive approach to problem-solving.
