Meet the Team – Jude Thomas
Jude Thomas joined Circles UK in 2022 as our National Development Manager. In this role, she supports organisations that provide Circles and helps raise awareness through training and education.
With decades of experience in the Criminal Justice System, Jude shares why she has remained in the sector for so long and what she values about Circles’ work.
A Career in Criminal Justice
Most of my career has been in the Probation Service, where I spent nearly 20 years in various roles. I worked in community offices and a prison, but most of my time was spent managing a probation hostel, supporting men transitioning out of prison. After leaving Probation, I joined a local charity providing a range of services to the community before coming to Circles UK.
What Drew Me to Criminal Justice
I’ve always enjoyed working with people, helping them see their potential, make positive choices, and turn change into something real. The Criminal Justice Sector brings together people from all walks of life, each with their own background, experiences, and opportunities. That variety makes the work both challenging and rewarding, and I’ve always thrived on adapting to each person’s situation.
It’s not just about supporting individuals—it’s about creating lasting change that impacts families and communities too. That broader impact is something I’ve always been passionate about.
Criminal Justice offers variety, challenge, and the chance to make a meaningful difference—not just for those directly involved, but for everyone affected by crime. It’s a role that is both unique and a privilege.
Why the Change?
After two decades in the Probation Service, I wanted to explore new opportunities while continuing to work with people in ways that made the most of my skills and passions.
I had known about Circles through my probation work, and when the opportunity arose to join Circles UK, I was eager to apply.
Supporting and Developing Providers
As National Development Manager, my role is diverse, covering several key areas:
- Supporting Circles Providers: I assist organisations in developing their processes to meet the requirements of the Circles Code of Practice and begin delivering Circles effectively
- Training: I oversee the design and delivery of training for organisations working with people who pose a risk of sexual harm. Every training programme is tailored to meet the specific needs of an organisation and designed to be as impactful as possible.
- Media & Public Awareness: Circles UK engages with various media outlets, ensuring that our work is represented accurately and meaningfully. Our goal is to provide clear, factual information about sexual harm, highlight the impact of these behaviours on victims and communities, and demonstrate how Circles can help individuals move forward in a positive way while reducing reoffending. Media work requires careful planning to ensure balanced and responsible messaging.
- Expanding Circles Provision: One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is seeing the impact of Circles across England and Wales. I’m always looking at ways to expand this work further to ensure more people can benefit from this approach.
Why Circles Makes Sense
Circles work because it’s about long-term engagement—helping individuals identify meaningful goals while also holding them accountable when concerning attitudes or behaviours arise. This balance is essential to the process, and the involvement of volunteers brings the wider community into the work, making it even more effective.
Looking ahead, I want Circles UK and our Providers to continue educating the public, offering clear, realistic discussions about sexual harm. There’s a growing willingness to understand difficult and complex behaviour, and Circles play an important role in that conversation. It’s not just about punishment—it’s about real change.
Long-term, I hope we continue to expand our provision while staying true to what makes Circles unique. We already offer specialised Circles for young people, those who commit online offences, and faith-based groups. As we grow, we must ensure that we maintain our core principles which centre on using the community to encourage, support and hold to account individuals as they make positive changes to prevent further victims.