Lead Practitioner - Community Justice & Recovery Interventions

Willowdene Rehabilitation has been a leading provider of rehabilitative interventions since 1988, working across criminal justice, substance misuse, homelessness, and employability. In 2017, we founded LINC (Local Initiatives Nurturing Change) — a gender-specific Whole Systems Approach project designed to meet women’s needs holistically, addressing the root causes of offending by intercepting cycles of trauma, disadvantage, and abuse. We are now expanding our reach into the West Midlands through the West Midlands Women Forward project.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Lead Practitioner to join our growing team and help us deliver lasting life transformation for women who face some of life’s most difficult challenges. This is a rewarding and varied role that combines direct casework with programme coordination, project management, and impact reporting across two geographical areas.

You will be the driving force behind our Out of Court Resolutions (OOCR) programme and LINC interventions, and will also fulfil the role of Engagement, Progression and Outreach Practitioner (EPOP) for the West Midlands Women Forward project — dedicating three days per week to providing targeted progression and employment support to women in the West Midlands who are at risk of offending or returning to offending.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading the delivery and coordination of the Out of Court Resolutions (OOCR) programme and LINC interventions
• Fulfilling the EPOP role for the West Midlands Women Forward project, working two days per week across Dudley and Birmingham
• Providing targeted progression and employment support, addressing barriers such as homelessness, addiction, trauma, and poor mental health
• Supporting women towards purposeful use of time, employment readiness, and ultimately moving into employment
• Holding a caseload and completing trauma-informed assessments and individualised support plans
• Supervising and supporting staff and volunteers delivering interventions
• Managing project timelines, milestones, and outcomes to ensure programme targets are met
• Compiling high-quality impact reports and monitoring data to evidence the difference our work makes
• Building strong partnerships with referrers, statutory agencies, and community organisations
• Representing Willowdene at multi-agency meetings and in the community

About You

• Significant experience in casework or case management within criminal justice, substance misuse, or a related field
• Demonstrable project management skills, including planning, reporting, and managing multiple priorities
• Experience of supervising or coordinating the work of others
• Strong written and analytical skills, with experience producing reports and evaluations
• A trauma-informed, person-centred approach to working with women facing complex needs
• Experience of, or commitment to, employment support, progression work, or addressing employability barriers
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system and Out of Court Resolution processes (desirable)
• Full driving licence with no more than 6 points and access to own transport — ability to travel regularly across West Mercia and the West Midlands (Dudley and Birmingham) is essential

Why Join Us?

• A meaningful role making a real difference to women’s lives
• Supportive, values-driven team environment
• On-site parking and use of bookable Willowdene vehicles for travel
• Access to ongoing training and professional development

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm)

Contract: Permanent

Location: Willowdene Women’s Centre, Chorley, Shropshire; venues across West Mercia; Dudley & Birmingham

Responsible to: Justice Interventions Practitioner

DBS: Enhanced DBS disclosure required | HMPPS Level 1 enhanced vetting

Occupational Requirement: This post is restricted to women only (Schedule 9, paragraph 1, Equality Act 2010)

Closing date: 12 June 2026 - Due to the nature of this role, we anticipate strong interest and may close applications early should we receive a sufficient number of suitable candidates. Early application is strongly encouraged.

Due to the nature of this role, we anticipate strong interest and may close applications early should we receive a sufficient number of suitable candidates. Early application is strongly encouraged.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure and HMPPS Level 1 enhanced vetting.

Pay: £32,073.00 per year

Benefits:

• Discounted or free food
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person