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 5 Diversion Keyworkers to join a newly expanded programme supporting women in the Criminal Justice System.

Location: Based in London, we have 5 vacancies available and each one will cover one of the following areas:

• Wood Green (covering boroughs Haringey/Enfield) office base Finsbury Park

• Hammersmith (covering the tri-borough, office base Hammersmith)

• Colindale (covering Barnet), office base Finsbury Park

• Leyton (covering Waltham Forest and Newham), office base Stratford

• Fresh Wharf (covering Redbridge and Barking & Dagenham, office base Stratford

Working Pattern: Full Time, BCU/community-based Monday – Friday, 9pm – 5pm. Due to the nature of the role, we cannot offer the opportunity to work remotely.

Contract length: Until 31 March 2029

Reports to: CJS Whole Justice Operational Manager

Salary banding: starting salary £28,000, with an opportunity to review pay during the course of the contract up to a maximum of £30,000 whilst in post.

This post is open to female applicants only as this is deemed a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010. Advance is committed to equality and diversity and strongly encourages applications from women with diverse backgrounds, including those with disabilities, BAME and LBT communities and with personal experience of the criminal justice system.

An eventual offer of this role is dependent on satisfactory references, right to work in the UK and an enhanced DBS check. Once you start the role you will need to go through 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:

Advance has been delivering the Diversion programme since 2019 which is funded by MOPAC (Mayor’s Office for Policing & Crime). The Diversion programme integrates a holistic package of support for women with an out of court disposal, to improve outcomes for the woman and offer officers and the Crown Prosecution Service a robust alternative pathway other than prosecution through the courts.

As a Diversion Keyworker you will aim to divert women from the traditional criminal justice process, motivating them to engage in positive community activity to allow them to leave safer lives, free of crime through a range on in-reach and community-based options. You will advocate in the custody suite for police to caution women instead of charging them and coordinate appropriate community interventions to enable the woman to meet the objectives set out in their tailored Support Plan.

You will have a daily in-person presence in your allocated custody suite, building relationships with the police, being available to support women at the point of arrest and being their first contact whilst in custody, while also supporting women in court, in the community or at Advance’s women centre.

About You:

In order to be successful as a Diversion Keyworker you will have the following skills and experience:

• An in-depth knowledge of issues facing women offenders and those at risk of offending; both in and out of the Criminal Justice System.

• Experience of conducting needs and risk assessments and of risk management; being alert and responsive to behaviour, information or other changes which could indicate a change in risk of serious harm.

• Strong crisis management skills and an ability to cope in stressful situations.

• A demonstrable passion and drive to motivate others and enable change, with a track record of engaging “hard to reach” service users. Able to facilitate conversations that emphasise future orientation and self-efficacy.

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: Sunday 29th November 2026

• Interviews are taking place on a rolling basis and the role may close early, so early application is strongly encouraged

*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

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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.