About the role
We are a community‑based organisation that leads best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community, providing care in local settings and at our women’s centres, and working in close partnership with other agencies.
The Advance Prison Advocate will support sentenced women facing imminent release from custody, providing pre‑release support focused on Accommodation, Finance, debt & benefits, Family & significant others and Social inclusion. The role involves developing a referral pathway with the Offender Management team, working with existing service providers in prison, and co‑designing person‑centred support and action plans. You will support women in addressing their needs and risks stemming from the interventions identified, including providing gate‑support where appropriate, combining a case‑work‑based approach with signposting and advice.
Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments for persons with disabilities or special needs. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and we will aim to accommodate you.
Key responsibilities
* Build strong relationships with the Pre‑Release teams to ensure access to suitable accommodation, finance, benefits, debt, family, and social inclusion support.
* Negotiate terms on behalf of women and ensure interventions meet the needs of women from diverse and minoritised backgrounds.
* Provide referrals to wider partner organisations in the community to address post‑release needs and ensure continuity of support.
* Maintain and update caseload records, focus on action plan goals, and meet deadlines.
* Complete trauma‑informed support and action plans in collaboration with women to achieve timely and prescribed outcomes.
Required experience and skills
* Knowledge and experience of the criminal justice system through academic study and/or practical work.
* Evidence of case‑working experience delivering gender‑specific, trauma‑responsive interventions supporting resettlement and rehabilitation of female adults.
* Excellent organisational and communication skills; ability to work calmly in a prison environment.
* Ability to manage a caseload, maintain accurate records, and keep to deadlines.
* Capacity to complete trauma‑informed support and action plans in collaboration with clients.
* Car available is desirable but not essential.
Equal Opportunity Statement
We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. All employees are offered equal opportunity in recruitment, selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits. We make reasonable adjustments as required under the Equality Act 2010.
What we can offer you - Employee Benefits
* 35‑hour working week
* Exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro‑rated for part‑time), + public holidays (nearly 40 paid days per year!)
* Additional days off for International Women’s Day, religious observance, and moving home
* Perkbox – employee discount platform with rewards and savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure, and more
* Pension scheme
* Enhanced maternity/adoption provision
* Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
* Employee eye‑care scheme
* Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles
* Refer a Friend Scheme – £250 for each referral who passes probation
* Organisation‑wide away days
* One‑week paid carers leave
* Career development pathways
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