Mentor (Finance, Benefit & Debt, North East)

Position Mentor (Finance, Benefit & Debt, North East)Location Flexible – principally based across North East prisons and community settings, with some home workingSalary £25,664 + excellent benefitsHours 35 hours per week (flexible working)Status Fixed term to 31 July 2027Closing date 22 November 2026Please note regular travel across the North East of England is required. A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential.This is not a typical support role.The Wise Group delivers the Finance, Benefit and Debt service on behalf of the Ministry of Justice, supporting people in prison and on probation across the North East of England.This role is about more than financial advice. It’s about helping people stabilise their lives, reduce crisis and build stronger foundations for the future.Many of the people we support are navigating multiple and interconnected challenges including debt, poor financial wellbeing, housing instability, unemployment, poor mental health and long-standing barriers to progression.Using our Relational Mentoring approach, you will work alongside individuals in custody and in the community, helping them access financial support, manage debt, improve budgeting, navigate benefits systems and connect with wider services that support long-term stability and reintegration.You will build trusted relationships that go beyond transactional support - helping people engage, regain confidence and move towards greater independence.Working closely with prison staff, probation teams and local partners, you will play a key role in helping people navigate important transition points, particularly as they prepare to leave custody and reintegrate into their communities.This service builds upon and complements the wider Justice services delivered by the Wise Group across England and Wales, including Personal Wellbeing and Women’s services.What you’ll doDeliver one-to-one mentoring and advocacy support across custody and community settingsSupport individuals to address finance, benefits and debt-related challengesBuild trusted relationships that encourage engagement and long-term progressWork collaboratively with prisons, probation and partner organisationsSupport individuals during key transition points, including release from custodyMaintain accurate records and contribute to service outcomes and reportingWhat we’re looking forExperience in mentoring, advocacy, support or customer-focused rolesConfidence supporting people facing complex or challenging circumstancesStrong communication, organisational and relationship-building skillsA practical, solutions-focused and resilient approachConfidence working across different environments, including prisons and community settingsAbility to work independently while managing a varied caseloadExperience within custodial or criminal justice settings is advantageous, but not essential.Essential requirementsFull UK driving licence and access to a vehicleWillingness to travel regularly across the North East of EnglandSuccessful completion of enhanced Level 1 prison vettingHome broadband suitable for remote workingWhy join the Wise GroupThe Wise Group works alongside people facing some of the most complex challenges in society, using a relational approach focused on long-term stability rather than short-term fixes.This role is part of a wider effort to improve outcomes for people involved in the justice system by delivering joined-up, person-centred and practical support that creates lasting change.View the Role Profile for full details about this opportunity.