Care Not Custody Caseworker East Sussex

To deliver one to one, face to face case-work interventions for women in contact with Sussex Police, Probation, or at Probation Breach Court.

Care Not Custody is an intervention service in partnership with Sussex Police and Probation, to divert women away from the criminal justice system, by offering case work support through an Out of Court disposal (OOCD) or intervention to prevent a breach of their probation order. 

Care Not Custody encourages frontline Police Officers to consider an OOCD in cases where they would normally have charged a woman. Currently, women who receive a Conditional Caution or Community Resolution do not have access to a women specific service in Sussex. 

Women who agree to the condition will be referred to BWC by Sussex Police for casework support, diverting them away from the formal criminal justice system into a holistic support package. 

Care Not Custody will work closely with Probation Officers to identify women who are at risk or in breach of their community order or license agreement and offer interventions to encourage women to re-engage. 

Care Not Custody staff attend Breach Court to meet with women who are listed in breach, staff work with the women to empower reengagement with their community orders. 

The Care Not Custody Caseworker will provide holistic, integrated casework support for women in Sussex supporting women to navigate and access the services they require to address a range of practical and emotional needs, including helping with signposting, advocacy, and referrals. 

The successful applicant will be informed by BWC’s values, policies and procedures and will understand the importance of building trust and self-esteem with service users, to enhance recovery and engagement with BWC and other services. 

They will complete all reporting requirements on the BWC database.

This project sits within BWC’s Inspire Service, which delivers support for women who are involved in the Criminal Justice System and is the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) provider for women in Sussex. 

In line with BWC values, Inspire adopts a relational, trauma-informed, strengths-based approach.  Inspire supports women with a range of underlying needs, with the overarching aim of supporting women to move away from the Criminal Justice System and improve their access to a range of services. 

Contract Type:      Fixed term until 31st December 2026, with the possibility of additional funding extending this role further.

Working hours:    This is a full time (35 hours per week) role, but we will consider flexible options depending on service delivery requirements.  Working hours are within normal office hours, 9am-5pm. Occasional out of hours may be required. 

About Us

BWC have been delivering services to women for over fifty years. We understand that the women we support have complex and interrelated needs, with high incidences of trauma and abuse.  

We recognise women are the experts of their experience and ensure our services are co-produced and based on what women tell us they need.  

Our approach is relational, holistic and practical and takes account of the complexity of women’s circumstances, background and experiences.

BWC are part of a national network of women’s centres and gender responsive providers, committed to identifying best practice in ensuring women and girls with complex needs can access the right support in the right place at the right time. 

Why work for us

BWC offers staff members a generous package of benefits including a well-being allowance and a well-being hour during the working week; employee health benefits; birthday leave; paid sick pay scheme, city centre offices on public transport routes; clinical supervision; reflective group practice; access to therapeutic debrief as required; a comprehensive training package; opportunities for continuing professional development; staff social events; flexible working opportunities and a caring, understanding work environment that appreciates the complexities of women’s working and home lives.