Women's Criminal Justice Service Manager at Changing Lives

OUR PURPOSE  

Changing Lives supports people facing the most challenging of circumstances to make positive and lasting change in their lives.

Job Title

Service Manager – Women and Criminal Justice

Project

Criminal Justice Cleveland (Women)

Band / Tier / Level

Band 5

Reporting to

Area Manager

Direct Reports

Location

Cleveland

Salary Band

Band 5.1 £35.550

FTE / Working Hours

Permanent, 1 x FTE  37 hours

Overall Role Purpose

We are seeking an experienced Service Manager to lead our Women’s Criminal Justice Service across Cleveland, Stockton, Redcar, Middlesborough and surrounding areas.

This role will oversee the delivery of Ministry of Justice-funded contracts and other commissioned services, ensuring high-quality performance and compliance with contractual requirements. You will manage a dedicated team, foster strategic partnerships, and drive service development to meet the evolving needs of women in the criminal justice system.

You will have a proven background in Management and managing all aspects of team performance and development. 

This role requires agile working which will include being office based, having oversight of delivery within community venues and working custody settings. You must demonstrate you can work effectively, independently and under pressure to meet challenging deadlines.

As a motivational manager, you will maintain the team ethos and build a dynamic culture of reflective practice and development.

Changing Lives have been providing gender specific services to women involved in the Criminal Justice System for 12 years. 

Women become involved in the Criminal Justice System for a complex range of reasons. In our gender specific services, we provide holistic support to women by women, to overcome challenges and address needs, enabling successful move-on from services and live fulfilling, crime free flourishing lives.

Our specialist Women’s Criminal Justice service provides inclusive and supportive interventions and are driven to achieve the best for local communities. We support women to build upon their strengths and work through any barriers that are preventing them from progressing and realising their potential.

A flexible approach must be adopted and the ability to cover a range of tasks is essential.

Changing Lives are passionate about creating a diverse workforce that appropriately reflects the communities we work in. Therefore, we positively encourage applications from individuals within under-represented communities

Key Activities

• Lead and manage service delivery across all functions, ensuring compliance with specifications and quality standards.

• Oversee operational management, staff performance, and development, promoting a culture of reflective practice.

• Maintain and develop strategic partnerships with commissioners, stakeholders, and community organisations.

• Manage budgets, monitor performance metrics, and prepare reports for contract management meetings within the strict timeframes necessary.

• Ensure services are evidence-based, inclusive, and responsive to emerging needs.

• Promote equality, diversity, and trauma-informed practice throughout all aspects of service delivery.

• To work closely with the senior leads to ensure effective delivery in all commissioned services.

• To assist in the production of Service business plans for the management and development of the Service.

• To take overall responsibility for the operational day-to-day management of Women and Criminal Justice team, ensuring consistent and appropriate delivery in line with organisational values, principles, policies and procedures.

• To manage and coordinate efficient and effective staff deployment across the Service and within each locality, to provide adequate cover for all aspects of the Service.

• To ensure that the Service models, and interventions delivered are appropriate, evidence-based, and effective to meet the emerging needs of women involved in the criminal justice system.

• To maintain and develop quality services and pathways for all participants, which are accessible, consistent and seamless.

• Work within accordance of all data protection requirements including UK GDPR and ISO27001:2013 standards.

• To undertake any other duties that may be seen to fall into the job responsibilities

• This job description is not intended as an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of the post but simply reflects the key areas involved. The duties may change over time as requirements and circumstances change

• Always Present a positive and professional image of Changing Lives. 

About You:

We are looking for a dynamic and motivational leader with:

• A relevant degree or professional qualification (NVQ Level 4 minimum) and evidence of continuous professional development.

• Proven experience in management and leadership within criminal justice.

• Strong knowledge of criminal justice services and the wider operating landscape.

• Excellent organisational, interpersonal, and communication skills.

• Ability to manage budgets, contracts, and risk effectively.

• Commitment to equality, diversity, and the values of Changing Lives.

A full UK driving licence and the ability to obtain prison security clearance are essential.