Female Link Worker (Ref: WON-261)

Are you a dynamic, collaborative and compassionate individual?

Do you have a proven track record as a caseworker delivering gender specific and trauma responsive interventions which support resettlement and rehabilitation of female adults in the criminal justice system, whether in the community or in prisons?

If so, St Giles is looking for a Female Link Worker who will be responsible for providing an initial assessment and a time-effective, whole-system support service for women within the Norfolk area who have come into contact with the Criminal Justice System. 

The service users supported by this role will be individuals facing various and multiple disadvantages, including; mental health needs, housing issues, debt, substance misuse, family and relationship issues, individuals who have suffered domestic and sexual abuse, and those at risk of offending or reoffending.  

You will be required to tailor the service to meet the needs of the women on your caseload and assist in diverting them away from the Criminal Justice System.

The role will be community-based and client-led and will involve significant partnership working within the local area to enable you to offer a whole system approach to overcoming barriers and empowering the service user to make better life choices

You will be part of a comprehensive service delivering Wonder+ across Norfolk, representing St Giles Trust, being mindful of and promoting the organisation’s Vision, Mission, Values, and strategic aims at all times.

Due to the nature of the service the role is only open to female applicants and The Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1, Paragraph 1 applies to this post.

About St Giles Trust

An ambitious, well-established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need. 

Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first-hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others.

What we are looking for

• Experience of working successfully with challenging people, for example, people who have complex needs, people who are reluctant to discuss their needs, and people who are angry and confused. 
• Understanding of the issues faced by females involved or at risk of becoming involved in the criminal justice system. 
• A knowledge and understanding of providing support, advice, and advocacy to vulnerable clients and the ability to communicate this knowledge in a variety of ways. 
• Ability to assess clients’ needs and provide client-led support. 
• Ability to calculate risk and implement safety procedures when engaging with clients in the community.
• A good understanding of Safeguarding.
• An understanding of rural issues and working across the region in isolated communities. Candidates must be willing to work flexibly and travel across the county as needed.
• The ability to use monitoring systems to record all aspects of the project, including actions, outcomes, and referrals, and demonstrate achievement of targets.
• The flexibility to work some early mornings and evenings and travel (where necessary) throughout the region and occasional travel to head office for relevant training.

• Awareness of and commitment to equal opportunity and diversity practices and policies, and ability to promote diversity and treat colleagues and clients fairly and with respect.

Please note and Enhanced DBS check is required for this role.

We actively encourage people with personal experience of the issues facing this client group to apply for this role. 

In return, you can expect a competitive salary, generous leave allowance, staff pension, flexible working, a mentoring programme, an advice and counselling service, clinical therapist sessions, life insurance (4 x annual salary), duvet days, season ticket loan, employee perks programme, eye care voucher and much more.

We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi- heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuro-expansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation.

St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.