Apex Scotland is the leading employment and training organisation specialising in work with people with convictions.

We now have an opportunity in the Highland area, working as part of a team who provide various support services. Apex Scotland delivers the Shine Women’s mentoring service in various areas, working as part of a Scotland wide public social partnership offering a mentoring service to female prolific offenders. This is an exciting initiative, aiming to reduce re-offending amongst females and contributing to the Scottish Government’s reducing re-offending strategy.

Shine offers females serving short term custodial sentences a ‘through-the-gate’ mentoring and support service, providing practical and emotional support to help them move back into the community and begin to build a life free of offending.

We are looking to recruit a full time Personal Development Mentor (PDM) to join our team. The staff base will be Inverness; however, it is anticipated that there will be extensive travel throughout the Highland, Moray and Aberdeenshire area. This service is currently funded to March 2025.

The post holder will operate in Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire, providing intensive support to women in the criminal justice system, currently serving a prison sentence; remanded into custody or subject of a Community Payback Order and who choose to engage and work with Shine Women’s Mentoring Service. This post consists of both, prison-based and community-based working and candidates should be able to demonstrate excellent levels of professionalism within both settings, in order to maximise the quality of relationships Apex holds with our valued partners. Support needs of women in the criminal justice system vary enormously, examples include drug and alcohol misuse, experience of abusive and or exploitative relationships, physical and mental issues often alongside chaotic lifestyles resulting from past traumatic experiences. Knowledge of the criminal justice system and experience of working with women within it is desirable but not essential as training will be given.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate outstanding verbal and written communication skills as this will be imperative to distinction of service. The ability to work both as part of a team and independently is required, experience of inter-agency working is essential. Effective communication is an essential part of the role, along with an understanding of the importance of integrated and multi-agency working. A commitment to Apex’s value base is crucial, as this type of work can be challenging. Experience of working: with people with complex needs, people who have offended or in a health or social care environment would be preferred.

A relevant qualification is desirable but is not essential.

A valid driving licence and access to a car is essential for these posts.

Membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG) is a requirement for this post.

Apex Scotland is the leading employment and training organisation specialising in work with people with convictions.

Apex Scotland offer a diverse range of services for young people and adults to help them break down barriers and engage in education, employment, community activities and recovery focused initiatives.

We are looking for a full time Personal Development Mentor to join our team in the Highland Area 35 hours per week.

The post will present an opportunity to cover our service we deliver in partnership with the NHS and other Treatment providing Partners, for a period of up to 12 months. This service is designed to support participants affected by their use of Alcohol and Drugs as well as difficulties with Mental Health. The Service will achieve this by working in partnership with local Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Mental Health teams, GP surgeries, Residential Rehabs, and other treatment focused agencies across the Highland region, to ensure all action plans are carefully planned and participant needs are met.

The successful applicant will prioritise Trauma Informed practice, Team Working skills and have knowledge or experience of mentoring approaches. Experience of working with a caseload of service users and working to targets are essential. Experience of working in a community environment and an understanding of needs led practice would be an advantage. It is anticipated that there will be some travel throughout the area therefore a driving license or access to a means of transport is essential.

The right candidate will have an aptitude for developing and delivering innovative group sessions and the ability to engage with participants on a one-to-one basis, to assist them to overcome barriers to progression. An understanding of local employability pipelines would be an advantage, as would knowledge of the network of support agencies in the area. You would need to demonstrate flexibility and the ability to work in partnership.

Apex Scotland is the leading employment and training organisation specialising in work with people with convictions.

We now have an opportunity in the Highland area, working as part of a team who provide various support services. Apex Scotland delivers the New Routes mentoring service in various areas, working as part of a Scotland wide public social partnership offering a mentoring service to male prolific offenders. This is an exciting initiative, aiming to reduce re-offending amongst males and contributing to the Scottish Government’s reducing re-offending strategy.

New Routes offers males serving short term custodial sentences a ‘through-the-gate’ mentoring and support service providing practical and emotional support to help them move back into the community and begin to build a life free of offending.

We are looking to recruit a full time Personal Development Mentor (PDM) to join our team. The staff base will be Inverness, however it is anticipated that there will be extensive travel throughout the Highland area. This service is currently funded to March 2025.

For New Routes the successful candidate will be required to work in a prison environment and in the community and should be able to demonstrate excellent levels of professionalism within both settings, in order to maximise the quality of relationships Apex holds with our valued partners. Due to the nature of this post, there will be significant travel involved therefore a driving licence and access to own vehicle or a mode of transport is essential. For this post you will have knowledge or experience of mentoring approaches. Experience of working in a prison environment would be an advantage.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate outstanding verbal and written communication skills as this will be imperative to distinction of service. The ability to work both as part of a team and independently is required, experience of inter-agency working is essential. Effective communication is an essential part of the role, along with an understanding of the importance of integrated and multi-agency working. A commitment to Apex’s value base is crucial, as this type of work can be challenging. Experience of working: with people with complex needs, people who have offended or in a health or social care environment would be preferred.

A relevant qualification is desirable but is not essential.

A valid driving licence and access to a car is essential for these posts.

Membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG) is a requirement for this post.

About Us

Apex Scotland is a national charity and supports people who have experienced the justice system or are at risk of doing so, is recruiting a number of trustees who understand the role and importance of governance in the Third Sector. We are looking for people who act with integrity, compassion, honesty, and who are passionate about our work and the role of the Third Sector.

Apex Scotland supports individuals to develop skills, resilience and confidence that enables them to make positive choices to improve their personal outcomes. We understand our participants require support that is person-centred, recognising their own individual, unique needs and circumstances.

Our work is delivered by specialist, dedicated staff in various locations across Scotland who adopt a trauma informed approach putting participants at the heart of their decision making. We are proud of the impact we have and believe our work makes a meaningful, genuine and positive difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable in our society.

The Role

Following the appointment of a new CEO in July 2023 and the restructuring of the Senior Leadership Team at the start of 2024 Apex Scotland is embarking on a period of positive change to support the development of the charity, reposition the organisation and focus on strategic priorities.

As a Trustee you will have a key role in leading these developments and overseeing the implementation of our strategic plan.

Ideally you will have a deep understanding of the issues impacting those who have experienced the justice service and the stigma they face. You will also have an understanding of the current challenges being faced by the Third Sector. It is useful, but not necessary, to have experience of being a Trustee as training and support will be offered.

We are looking for people with the following skills and experience from throughout Scotland.

• Justice services
• Community engagement
• Fundraising
• Human Resources and staff development
• Compliance and mitigating risk
• Marketing and communications
• Lived experience of the justice system