Diversion Keyworker

Location: Portsmouth
Contract Type: Fixed Term - Up to 3 months
Hours: 21 hours / 3 days per week

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Diversion Keyworker to join a dedicated service supporting women in the criminal justice system.

This role involves working closely with women referred through police encounters, offering a robust alternative pathway to prosecution by providing tailored, short-term, holistic support to address their individual needs.

The Diversion Programme is designed to promote multi-agency collaboration between the police, statutory services, and voluntary sector providers.

It aims to identify and address the needs of women in contact with the criminal justice system, ensuring they receive appropriate support to prevent reoffending and achieve positive outcomes.

• Provide direct support to women referred through the Diversion Programme, conducting thorough needs and risk assessments.


• Develop and implement tailored support plans to address key issues such as housing, mental health, substance misuse, domestic abuse, and financial difficulties.


• Work in close partnership with police, local authorities, and voluntary sector agencies to ensure a coordinated approach to support and intervention.


• Deliver one-to-one interventions in community settings and at designated women's centres.


• Maintain accurate records and case notes, ensuring compliance with safeguarding protocols and data protection policies.


• Advocate on behalf of service users, ensuring their voices are heard in decision-making processes.


• Support the wider team in evaluating and improving the effectiveness of the Diversion Programme.

• Experience working with women involved in or at risk of involvement in the criminal justice system.


• Strong understanding of the impact of domestic abuse, mental health, substance misuse, and homelessness on women in the justice system.


• Experience conducting needs and risk assessments, including crisis management and safety planning.


• Ability to manage a caseload effectively, prioritising work in a fast-paced environment.


• Experience working in partnership with statutory and voluntary sector agencies.


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust with service users.


• A proactive and flexible approach, with the ability to work independently and manage remote working.

• Knowledge of trauma-informed and gender-sensitive approaches in supporting vulnerable women.


• Experience working in a co-located setting with criminal justice partners.


• Understanding of the complexities of the criminal justice system and alternatives to prosecution.

To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in this role.

To learn more please contact Oliver Jefferson on oliver.jefferson@servicecare.org.uk or call 01772 208962