Overview
Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!
We are looking for two Specialist Prison and Probation Advocates
Role details
Salary: £27,000 - £29,000 (pro rata)
Location: HMP Bronzefield
Hours: 21 hours per week
Contract: Fixed Term – until 31st March 2027
Note: This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010. This condition is included in line with the job purpose and is a legally compliant requirement.
References, right to work, DBS and Vetting: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check. This role is also subject to Prison Vetting level EL2.
About us
Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community. We are a community-based organisation that leads in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community, meeting and supporting women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies. Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
The role
The Advance Prison Advocate will support women on remand and those unsentenced within the prison setting, providing pre-release support focused on Accommodation, Finance, debt & benefits, Family & significant others and Social inclusion. You will develop a referral pathway with the Offender Management team within the prison, and work in partnership with existing service providers operating within the prison. You will co-design a person-centred support and action plan with women accessing support, enabling you to help address their needs and any risks in relation to the interventions identified above, including providing through-the-gate support. The role combines a casework-based approach with a signposting and advice service for women in custody.
You will have demonstrable experience and understanding of working with women in a challenging multi-agency environment, ideally with prisoners and/or their families.
You will build strong relationships with Pre-Release teams to ensure clients can maintain or access suitable accommodation, finance, benefits and debt, family and social inclusion support, including negotiating terms on behalf of the women. Ensure interventions are responsive to and meet the needs of women from diverse and minoritised backgrounds. This, together with referrals to wider partner organisations in the community, will ensure additional support needs are addressed post-release and continuity of support exists.
A car may be desirable but not essential.
About you
To be successful as the Specialist Prison and Probation Advocate you will need the below experience and skills:
* Knowledge and experience of the criminal justice system obtained through academic study, or experience of working in the criminal justice system (or closely associated social system).
* Experience as a caseworker delivering gender-specific and trauma-responsive interventions supporting resettlement and rehabilitation of female adults in the criminal justice system, whether in the community or in prisons.
* Excellent organisational and communication skills and the ability to work in a prison environment while remaining calm.
* Knowledge and understanding of managing a caseload, including maintaining and updating records, focusing on action plan goals, and meeting deadlines.
* Ability to complete trauma-informed, supportive action plans in collaboration with the woman to address multiple and individual needs and enable engagement with services to achieve timely outcomes.
How to apply
Please submit an up-to-date copy of your CV and a cover letter via our website.
Job close date: Sunday 3 May 2026
Interview dates: week commencing Monday 4 May 2026
Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities Note: Removed promotional boilerplate; the organisation remains committed to equality of opportunity. We have policies and processes in place to ensure equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.
What we can offer you - Employee Benefits
* 35-hour working week
* An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), plus public holidays on top
* Additional days off for International Women’s Day, religious observance and moving home
* Perkbox – employee discount platform
* Pension scheme
* Enhanced maternity/adoption provision
* Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
* Employee eye-care scheme
* Clinical supervision for frontline staff
* Refer a Friend Scheme – £250 for each referral who passes probation
* Organisation-wide away days
* One-week paid carers’ leave
* Career development pathways
Equality, Diversity and Safeguarding statements
Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities: We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.
Safeguarding: Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero tolerance of harm and expects all staff to share this commitment. We follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, including pre-employment checks, DBS checks, and identity checks. All staff undertake safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities to empower them to respond appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.
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