Personal Development Mentor - Highland (New Routes Service)

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. Applications for part time/job share welcome. Working out of office hours may be required including some evening or weekends., All the staff I have worked with at Apex have been brilliant in assisting me, and I owe them a lot for helping me get my life back on track.
https://www.apexscotland.org.uk/testimonials/gary-apex-client

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 this post. Membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG) is a requirement for this post., In view of the nature of the New Routes post and the requirement to work within the prison setting, the successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure check.

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.