Prison jobs in Maidstone

Key Worker – Grace House (Women’s Supported Accommodation)

Hours: 22.5 hours per week, part-time
Salary: £27,000 FTE, pro rata
Location: Grace House, Maidstone
Working Pattern: Monday–Saturday, including some evening work
Reports to: House Manager

About Grace House

Grace House provides safe, supportive accommodation for women leaving prison. We aim to create an environment where women can rebuild their lives, develop confidence and independence, build positive relationships, access meaningful opportunities and work towards long-term accommodation and a positive future.

As part of Imago Dei, our work is rooted in Christian faith and values, whilst remaining inclusive and welcoming to women of all faiths and none.

The Role

We are looking for a compassionate, reliable and motivated Key Worker to provide consistent, strengths-based and trauma-informed support to residents.

The successful candidate will have experience working with vulnerable adults and/or women, ideally in areas such as homelessness, substance misuse, mental health, trauma, offending or other complex needs.

Christian faith is integral to Grace House and the work of Imago Dei Prison Ministry. The successful candidate will be a practising Christian who is comfortable contributing to an environment where prayer, Christian values and faith form part of the life of the project.

Key Responsibilities

• Build trusting, respectful and professional relationships with residents.
• Provide regular one-to-one key working sessions, including evenings or weekends where residents are working.
• Develop and review individual support plans, risk assessments etc and help residents work towards their goals.
• Provide practical and emotional support around areas such as housing, budgeting, appointments, employment, education, relationships, health and wellbeing.
• Signpost and refer residents to appropriate services.
• Liaise with Probation and other professionals and attend relevant meetings and reviews.
• Develop positive relationships with external agencies, community organisations and local churches.
• Plan and facilitate meaningful activities such as craft, gardening and cooking.
• Help facilitate community courses and programmes.
• Encourage residents to take responsibility for the cleanliness and upkeep of shared spaces and assist with the general upkeep of the house and gardens and report maintenance issues.
• Contribute to a positive, welcoming environment where staff and residents can enjoy positive relationships, humour and a sense of fun.
• Maintain accurate records of support and resident contact using the organisation’s database.
• Work collaboratively with the House Manager, wider Grace House team and Imago Dei.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of the service.
• Work flexibly, including some evening and Saturday work.
• Undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the role, including supporting the wider work of Imago Dei.

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience working with vulnerable adults and/or women with complex needs.
• Experience of one-to-one support or key working.
• Good understanding of safeguarding and professional boundaries.
• Ability to maintain accurate and confidential records.
• Ability to work independently, including lone working, and as part of a team.
• Compassionate, non-judgemental and strengths-based approach.
• Practising Christian committed to the Christian ethos and values of Imago Dei.
• Willingness and ability to work evenings and Saturdays.
• Willingness to undertake CTC clearance.
• Full driving licence, access to a car and ability to commute to Maidstone.

Desirable Experience

• Criminal justice, Probation or resettlement.
• Homelessness or supported accommodation.
• Substance misuse, mental health, Trauma or Domestic Abuse.
• Housing and move-on support.
• Group work, courses or community programmes.

Relevant qualifications in counselling, youth/community work, mental health, housing, probation or support work would be advantageous.

Personal Qualities

We are looking for someone who is:

• Compassionate, empathetic and able to maintain appropriate boundaries.
• Positive, encouraging and able to see people's potential for change.
• Comfortable working with complexity and uncertainty.
• Able to challenge appropriately and have difficult conversations.
• Flexible and willing to get involved in the practical life of Grace House.
• A good listener and clear, respectful communicator.
• Warm, approachable and able to bring appropriate humour and fun to the team and house.
• Committed to expressing Christian faith through practical service, compassion and hope.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of women leaving prison.
• Supportive team working within a Christian organisation.
• Regular supervision, training and development.
• Opportunity to contribute to the development of Grace House.
• A varied role combining one-to-one support, practical work, community engagement and group activities.
• 28 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, pro rata, additional birthday leave when it falls on a working day.
• Flexible working options.
• Quarterly team away days and Monthly Refresh & Refocus days.

Closing Date - 5/10/26

Interview date - 14/10/26

Please send your CV with a covering letter to manager@gracehouseuk.org

This job description provides an indication of the role and responsibilities and is not an exhaustive list of duties.

All offers are subject to satisfactory references, right to work and required checks.

Imago Dei welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age or criminal record. We are committed to growing the diversity of our team and seek to be representative of those we support.

There is a Genuine Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010 for the post holder to be a practising Christian who is able to actively promote and represent the Christian ethos of Imago Dei.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: £27,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 22.5 per week

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Flexitime

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Maidstone ME14: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (preferred)

Work Location: In person