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 a Senior Mental Health Advocate – Neurodiversity Specialist Salary: £29,000- £32,000 Location: Advance Head Office Hammersmith & Women’s Centres across London, with co- location at HMP Bronzefield Hours: 35 Hours per week Contract: Fixed Term – 31st March 2027 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. Please note : 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 Police Vetting. 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 who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support 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. About the role: This is a great chance to be a part of a service working alongside the Healthcare & Education Department within HMP Bronzefield to identify and support women who are identified as being neurodiverse and will be returning to the community. Of that cohort, the Advocate will focus support on women with a mental health need and improve their transition into the community, with ongoing community support; including collaborating with other healthcare professionals to their develop support plans. The Senior MH Advocate will work in a multi-disciplinary way, including attending the weekly complex case meeting and/or the Safety Intervention Meeting (SIM) as appropriate, they will act as a specialist member of the wider Minerva Criminal Justice Service - London team, to facilitate a pathway for women with complex needs including mental health and neurodiversity needs. The Senior Advocate will create a link between prison and the community, helping women to navigate support services and to positively re-integrate into their community upon release. They will co-design a person-centred support and action plan with women accessing support, enabling to support them to address their needs and any risks. The role will combine a casework- based approach, along with a signposting and advice service for the women. The Senior Mental Health Advocate will be based in the community and will provide a drop-in service (1-2 day per week) in HMP Bronzefield to support women who are close to release. The role will also include line management of other advocates such as; Specialist Prison & Probation Advocates who will be based in the prison and the Loss & Bereavement Worker who will be providing support in the prison as well as in the community. A car may be desirable for this role, though not essential About You: To be successful as the Senior Mental Health Advocate you will need the below experience and skills: An excellent understanding of mental health, neurodiversity needs violence against women and girls and its links to women in the criminal justice system Experience of managing/supervising a team of advocates/caseworkers – and leading a team to achieve targets & outcomes as well as appropriately managing and leading the team on any safeguarding concerns/incidents. You will have the ability to complete trauma informed, support and action plans in collaboration with the woman; to support in addressing their multiple and individual needs and enable them to engage with services, which will result in timely and prescribed outcomes being achieved. You will possess excellent organisational skills, excellent communication skills and be able to work in a prison environment whilst remaining calm. How to apply: Please submit your up-to-date CV with a supporting statement. Please note that only applications made via the job advert on the Advance careers page, and those that include a cover letter will be considered. Closing Date for Applications 08 June 2025 Interviews taking place w/c Monday 16 June 2025 *Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate. What we can offer you - Employee Benefits: An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that's nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!) Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of 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 Thorough induction and training Career development pathways Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. 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 will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs. 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, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.