Switchback Mentor

J O B   P A CK

Switchback Mentor
Switchback

J O I N  O U R   TE A M !

£32,755 - £36,264 depending on experience | Permanent | Full time (35 hours
per week) | London/hybrid | Great benefits

Deadline: Wednesday 25th March 2026 at 12 o’clock

How to apply

To apply, please email the following to jobs@switchback.org.uk with the
subject: Switchback Mentor:
1.
2.
3.

Your CV
A Personal Statement Form
A completed equalities form available here (this is optional but
will help support our equalities monitoring and will be
treated anonymously and separate from your application).

Deadline

Interviews

Midday on Wednesday, 25th March 2026

First round – w/c 13th April 2026
Second round – w/c 20th April 2026

We are holding an optional online Q&A from 6.30-7.30pm on Monday 16th
March with our Delivery Managers and a Switchback Mentor). If you’d like to
join and hear more about us and the role, please register by emailing
jobs@switchback.org.uk (and you will be sent the link to join).

Feedback

As a small team we regret, we are unable to provide feedback to candidates
that are not selected for the interview stage.

WHY JOIN SWITCHBACK?

Switchback is an award-winning small charity
supporting young Londoners to find their way
out of the justice system and build stable,
rewarding lives.

In 2025, 74 trainees joined our Real Lasting
Change programme, and 449 men received
pre-release support. In 2026 and beyond, we
aim to reach even more individuals.

Switchback’s pioneering model is centred on a
meaningful relationship between a Switchback
Mentor and Switchback Trainee, beginning in
prison and lasting as long as it takes after
release.

This unique level of support is new territory for
most Trainees: a frank, non-judgemental
relationship with someone who’s there for
them on a daily basis, helping to navigate the
turbulent transition from prison to community.

Switchback’s intensive approach works. In
stark contrast to the national average – which
sees around half of those leaving prison every
year back inside within 12 months – just 10%
of Switchback Trainees reoffend. In fact, over
50% go into long-term employment, while 65%
reach Switchback’s unique benchmark of Real,
Lasting Change.

Building on 15 years of impact, Switchback
works with others to inspire change across the
justice system and beyond. In recent years
we’ve made great strides shifting policy and
perceptions, including through our
groundbreaking podcast Time & Again, and the
successes of Switchback’s Reshape Release
campaign, including the first rise in the
prisoner discharge grant for 25 years.

You’d be joining Switchback’s friendly team
near to Spitalfields Market in the heart of East
London. We offer flexible working, excellent
benefits and training, and we have fun too.

Above all, we’re a values-led organisation;
make sure they resonate with you

This is an exciting time for Switchback as we’re
aiming to reach even more young Londoners
while doing more to tackle social and racial
injustice in the UK. Join us!

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What you’ll get when you work for us:

Switchback takes the development of Mentors
very seriously. Switchback Mentors are the
drivers of our impact, and we will help to build
your expertise as a practitioner through our in-
house training in our unique change model. This
is complemented by a comprehensive training
and supervision package including: regular
psychologically informed 1:1 clinical supervision
and group reflective practice sessions and an
annual, individualised training budget. You will
also join a structured progression pathway
which can provide opportunities to further
develop management skills and technical
expertise, informed by your own learning goals.

Switchback understands the challenges and
complexities faced by the young people we work
with. To ensure Mentors can provide the highest
level of support, we intentionally keep caseloads
low. This allows Mentors to dedicate the time
and resources needed to build strong,
meaningful relationships and offer Trainees the
intensive, tailored support they need to make
lasting change.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

Are you passionate about working 1-to-1 with
young prison-leavers from a variety of
backgrounds; many of whom are from
marginalised communities, to help them lead
more stable, rewarding lives?

As a Switchback Mentor, you will play a vital role
in transforming the lives of young prison-
leavers, helping them break free from the justice
system and build stable, rewarding futures. You
will be responsible for building your own
caseload by engaging directly with young men
in prison and providing intensive support after
their release. In addition to working with those
you meet in prison; you will also support
Trainees referred to the programme after they
have already been released.

Once on the programme, you will maintain
regular contact with Trainees, meeting face-to-
face at least once a week to help them navigate
the challenges of being recently released from
prison and work towards their goals. Most
importantly, you will do this in a way that reflects
Switchback’s core values: putting Trainees at
the heart of everything we do, setting high
expectations, and building authentic, supportive
relationships that enable lasting change.

Switchback works with prison-leavers aged 18-
30 from a variety of backgrounds and
circumstances. While we support individuals
with a wide range of experiences, we currently
do not work with those convicted of offences of
a sexual nature or related to terrorism. It is
essential that Mentors can confidently and
professionally engage with all Trainees who
meet the eligibility criteria for the Switchback
programme, providing them with the support and
guidance needed to move forward positively.

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KEY DETAILS

Job title

Salary

Hours

Contract

Location

Switchback Mentor

£32,755 - £36,264 per annum, depending on experience

Full time (35 hours per week)

Permanent

London (Spitalfields E1) / Mentors work on-site—whether in the office,
community, or prison—four days a week and have the flexibility to work
from home one day a week.

Reporting to

Delivery Manager

Start date

As soon as available

Benefits include:

• 35-hour working week with flexible working possible.
• 25 days’ holiday rising to 30 days with service, plus bank holidays, plus 3

extra days holiday in the last week of December.

• Holiday buy-back scheme after 2 years’ service (10 extra days).
• Strong commitment to staff development and training.
• Generous pension scheme (5% employer contribution).
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Team away days and social events.
• A free-to-access Employee Assistance Programme supporting mental

health and wellbeing in the workplace.

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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Caseload Development and Mentoring
• Build and manage a caseload of Trainees, supporting them to achieve stable and rewarding

outcomes.

• Develop your caseload through regular prison visits and/or engagement with community referrals.
• Gather and assess information about potential Trainees from multiple sources, including the Trainee,

Prison Service, Probation Service, and partner organisations.

• Proactively manage selection lists, prepare potential Trainees for engagement, and monitor caseload

numbers to ensure consistent engagement.

• Deliver high-quality, face-to-face mentoring, including:
o Setting and reviewing meaningful goals.
o Reflecting on challenges, progress, and behavioural change.
o Providing practical advice and structured support across Switchback’s 10 Pathways.
o Using motivational interviewing techniques to encourage sustained engagement and

commitment to change.

• Build safe, professional, and appropriately boundaried relationships with Trainees.
• Constructively challenge attitudes and behaviours to support positive change.
• Facilitate access to relevant partnership opportunities that support Trainee progression.
• Work with colleagues to plan and facilitate monthly developmental experiences for Trainees.

Partnership and Advocacy
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with prison, probation, and statutory staff to

ensure strong awareness and understanding of Switchback’s work.

• Advocate on behalf of Trainees, supporting them to navigate complex welfare, health, housing, and

employment systems.

• Support Trainees into and through work placements, apprenticeships, and permanent employment.
• Ensure each Trainee is supported across Switchback’s 10 Pathways, making referrals to specialist

services where appropriate.

Data, Recording and Impact
• Accurate and consistent data capture is integral to Switchback’s effectiveness, accountability, and

development. High-quality data enables us to understand Trainee needs, track progress and
outcomes, identify trends, strengthen programme delivery, and meet funder and reporting
requirements.  You will:

o Record all Trainee interactions, outcomes, and relevant updates on Switchback’s database within 72

hours of engagement.

• Ensure information is accurate, complete, and consistently entered in line with organisational

standards.

• Use data to inform your mentoring practice, identify emerging needs, and adjust support plans

accordingly.

• Contribute to the organisation’s understanding of trends, impact, and areas for programme

development through accurate reporting.

• Support internal and external reporting requirements by maintaining robust, audit-ready records.
• Failure to maintain accurate and timely records may impact service delivery, safeguarding oversight,

and organisational accountability.

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Culture, Learning and Organisational Contribution
• Actively embody and promote Switchback’s culture, values, and methodology internally and

externally.

• Engage fully with Switchback’s supervision and training programme to support professional

development.

• Contribute to building organisational knowledge of the justice system by sharing insights and

learning from practice.

• Share learning from Trainee work to inform programme development, training, and influencing

activity.

Organisational Responsibilities
• Share reports, data, and case studies with the Influencing and Fundraising teams to support

communications and income generation.

• Understand and contribute to the delivery of Switchback’s strategic plan.
• Undertake additional duties as reasonably required to support organisational objectives.
• Attend both internal and external meetings and represent Switchback where necessary

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PERSON SPECIFICATION

Are you full of potential but not sure you fit all the criteria? Apply anyway and we could
help you get there! As a small, dynamic charity we’re used to training and supporting
brilliant people to learn and grow in their role. If you think you could fly in this position, get
in touch.

Experience
• At least 1 year’s continuous experience of working 1:1 with 18–30-year-olds  with experience of

the Criminal Justice System

OR
• At least 1 year’s continuous experience of working 1:1 with 18–30-year-olds  with complex needs

to make positive change (e.g. substance use, mental health challenges)

Skills
• Ability to work confidentially with 18–30-year-olds
• Ability to work effectively with professionals.
• Ability to use risk assessment tools
• Ability to prioritise and demonstrate effective time management
• Great communication skills including excellent active listening skills
• Ability to receive and act on feedback, and be willing to give feedback in a constructive way
• Good IT skills and willingness to learn and use Switchback’s databases

Professional attributes
• Passionate about our ambition and purpose
• A strong commitment to upholding Switchback’s values.
• Understand and respect the need for the best interests of our Trainees to always come first
• Resilience with the ability to deal with setbacks, frustrations and unpredictability
•
Intuitive, resourceful and able to problem solve
• Willingness to step outside of your comfort zone
• Self-starter with a proactive mindset

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DIVERSITY AND ACCESSIBILITY

Diversity

Switchback is committed to diversity in all that it does and aims to build a team representative of
modern London, celebrating the differences that people bring with them as a vital resource. We
welcome applications from the widest possible talent pool. We particularly welcome applications
from candidates with lived experience of the justice system (personal or by association). We are
an equal opportunities employer and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Women are currently underrepresented in our Delivery team and we therefore encourage
applications from women in accordance with the Equality Act 2010. Selection for appointment
will be based solely on merit. Our diversity and inclusion policy is available here.

Accessibility

Please let us know if you have any special requirements which we might need to consider in
relation to the selection process (e.g. attending interviews.) Any requests will not affect your
application.

“People only do what they know, and that depends where you
grow up. To me, I knew how to sell drugs. In my community
it’s just normal to do crime. Switchback taught me and
pushed me so much. I’ve learned to forget about crime. I’ve
been shown a different route."
Jordan, Market Manager and former Switchback Trainee

A NOTE ON CRIMINAL RECORDS

Switchback welcomes applications from individuals both with and without criminal convictions.
Please note that the Switchback Mentor role requires independent access to prisons, including the
ability to draw keys. As such, the role is subject to security clearance by HMPPS, a process which
is managed externally and is outside of Switchback’s control.
Switchback will support any applicant with a criminal conviction through the HMPPS vetting
process. Following a successful interview, any offer of employment will be made subject to
satisfactory HMPPS security clearance.
Candidates should be aware that the HMPPS vetting process can be lengthy and timelines are
determined solely by HMPPS. Where clearance is not granted, this will be reviewed on a case-
by-case basis before any decision regarding employment is finalised.
Helpful information on this subject is provided by the charity Unlock – you can read it here – and
you might like to consider this before making an application.

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OUR VALUES

Switchback’s values cut through everything we do, from our work with Trainees to our
fundraising and partnerships.

4. Ambitious

Having high expectations.

We assume strengths, resources and abilities
in Trainees. We don’t do things for people: we
challenge and encourage our Trainees to take
control. We are distinctive in our high
expectations of Trainees, our own conduct,
the quality of our partnerships and the impact
of our work.

5. Pioneering

Pushing into our stretch zone.

We challenge Trainees to move outside their
comfort zone and we encourage adventure to
learn and grow. As a charity we strive to do
the same, constantly seeking to reflect and
improve. We pioneer an alternative approach
and share our evidence with others to inspire
wider change.

1. Human

Keeping Trainees at the heart of everything
we do.

We build trust, confidence, independence and
stability in all areas of a Trainee’s life. In all
decisions we use the lens: “does this help us
improve the prospects of young men leaving
prison?”

2. Authentic
Rolling with the ups and downs of real life.

We prize integrity and honesty. We don’t sell a
dream: we are realistic about what it means to
genuinely start over and the huge courage
needed to change. We recognise that change
is not linear and we provide a space to learn
from mistakes.

3. Committed

Taking the long way around.

Our commitment to Trainees is consistent and
continuous, lasting for as long as it takes. We
reject quick fixes, shortcuts and tick boxes.
We do what we say we are going to do and
coach our Trainees to do the same.

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