Mentor - Women's Justice

The Wise Group, in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and third-sector organisations, delivers the Women’s Service across the North East of England - supporting almost 2,000 women in custody and in the community.

This role is about more than support. It’s about building trust, understanding the full picture, and helping women create stronger foundations for the future.

As a Mentor Advocacy, you will work alongside women facing multiple and interconnected challenges including trauma, poor mental health, housing instability, financial pressures, dependency, caring responsibilities and justice involvement.

Using our Relational Mentoring approach, you’ll provide consistent, person-centred support that helps women build confidence, reduce barriers and move towards greater stability and independence.

No two journeys are the same.

You’ll work across prison, probation and community settings, building trusted relationships and helping women navigate complex systems and access the right support at the right time. 

Support may include improving wellbeing, strengthening routines, reconnecting with services, addressing practical barriers and supporting progression towards training, employment and longer-term stability.

We’re looking for people who are confident working with complexity, can build trust quickly, and are motivated by helping women move forward at a pace that works for them.

Location Home based with travel across County Durham in both custody and community settings

Salary £25,664 + excellent benefits

Hours 35 hours per week (flexible working)

Status Fixed term until 31st March 2027

What you’ll be doing

• Building trusted, consistent relationships with women in custody and in the community
• Supporting women experiencing multiple and interconnected challenges
• Working across prison, probation and community environments
• Coordinating with partners to unlock support around housing, finance, wellbeing and wider needs
• Helping women take practical steps towards stability, confidence and progression
• Managing a caseload and maintaining accurate records using digital systems and CRM platforms

What this role involves

• Working within custodial settings as well as in community locations
• Supporting people whose circumstances can be complex, changeable and at times challenging
• Providing consistent support over time - not just one-off interventions
• Balancing empathy and relationship-building with practical outcomes and accountability

If you are looking for a purely office-based or short-term intervention role, this is unlikely to be the right fit.

What we’re looking for

• Experience supporting people facing complex or challenging circumstances
• Ability to build trust while maintaining professional boundaries
• Strong communication, organisational and relationship-building skills
• Confidence working across different environments, including prisons and community settings
• A practical, grounded and solutions-focused approach
• Confidence using Microsoft 365 and digital case management systems

Experience in mentoring, justice, wellbeing, housing or community support settings is advantageous, but not essential.

Essential requirements

• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for daily use
• Willingness to travel regularly across County Durham
• Ability to pass enhanced Level 1 prison vetting
• Home broadband suitable for remote working

Why join The Wise Group

The Wise Group works alongside people facing some of the most complex challenges in society, using a relational approach that focuses on long-term stability rather than short-term fixes. 

You’ll join an enterprise committed to innovation and creating lasting change - working across systems and services to improve outcomes for women in the justice system.

View the Role Profile for full details about this opportunity.