Advocacy worker jobs

We are recruiting for a Refuge Worker to join our team in Redbridge; the scope on this job involves….

Job Title: Refuge Worker

Location: Redbridge
Salary: £14,428.56 per annum
Contract type: Part-time, Permanent

Hours: 18.75

We want kind and empathic people to work at Refuge, who believe in equality, diversity, and inclusion, are experts in their area of knowledge, want to make a positive difference and improve the lives of the women and children we support.

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Refuge Worker to provide high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence and their children living in our refuges.

As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota.

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing date: 9.00am on 13 June 2025

Interview date: 24 June 2025

Benefits

Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.

Our Youth and Play Workers will play a pivotal role in the Children, Young People and Families team, working as a core team of practitioners to ensure the smooth running of our programmes and services. In this role you will be part of a small and dynamic team which delivers a wide range of programmes and activities, both from Tulse Hill Adventure Playground and within local schools. The work of the Children, Young People and Families team is diverse and varied. Our current services include open access adventure play and youth activities at our Adventure Playground, school holiday programmes with off-site trips and activities, coaching in local schools, a Young Leaders programme offering paid work experience to young people, and working together with our youth partnerships Building Young Brixton and Lambeth Peer Action Collective.

We are experiencing an exciting time of development for the team and are currently looking to recruit four Youth and Play Workers. To support our range of children and young people, our team will be made up of specialist Youth Workers and Play Workers bringing in relevant skills and experience. Whilst you will work across all of our Children, Young People and Families services you will have a specific focus:

As a Youth Worker you will:
• Focus on supporting our secondary age cohort
• Plan and run appropriate activities
• Provide structured interventions to support vulnerable young people
• Work with referral partners to provide additional support and activities

As a Play Worker you will:
• Focus on our primary age cohort
• Use your knowledge of Playwork Principles to plan and run engaging activities
• Foster relationships with families and local primary schools

Both roles will include an element of mentoring, relevant training will be provided to give you the necessary skills to deliver this.

Please specify in your supporting statement which specialism you would like to be considered for and outline your experience in this area.

To be successful in this role, you will act as a trusted practitioner in all our service delivery, advocating for children’s right to play throughout our programmes. You will work as part of the team on the delivery and planning of all sessions, ensuring that the children’s and young people’s ideas are central to the construction of a varied and engaging play environment. You will understand the wide-ranging challenges facing young people and will be flexible in adjusting your practice to meet these needs.

Employee Benefits
• 35 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays and 3 Christmas days) rising by 1 day each year after 2 years’ service (capped at an additional 8 days)
• Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave after 2 years’ service
• Save money off a new bike with the Cycle to Work scheme
• Up to 7% contribution to the staff pension scheme
• 24/7 Employee Support Line
• Clear pay structure with yearly increments (based on performance)
• Annual Staff away day
• Premium eye-care vouchers through Specsavers and season ticket loans

Brunswick Centre’s teams are an ambitious and driven bunch, with a passion for combatting stigma and making sure everyone has the tools they need to live a healthy and fulfilling life free of stigma.

The Care Navigation and Case Worker Lead is integral to this aim and is key to improving the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve ensuing they receive the appropriate services at the right time.

Working with a multi-disciplinary team, the postholder will be experienced in person-centred casework, ensuring we deliver high quality, outcome focused services, projects and interventions to service users on a one-to-one, group and community basis.

Previous experience of HIV services is not essential as on-the-job training and education will be provided. However, the postholder must share Brunswick Centre’s values and a willingness to learn.

The Brunswick Centre aims to be representative of the communities we serve and, as such, we would especially welcome applications from women, those from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic communities, those with a disability, those with lived experience of the issues we work with and those who identify as a gender other than that they were assigned at birth (including non-binary and gender-fluid).

Safeguarding underpins our approach to delivering services, working with service users and the recruitment of staff, sessional workers and volunteers. As such, applicants need to show and demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk. In addition, applicants will need to demonstrate their:

• Commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice
• Commitment to confidentiality, information governance and data protection
• Organisational and team working skills

Why you’d work for us…

• So you can use your skills and passion to influence change and improve outcomes for some of the most stigmatised and marginalised people in Calderdale
• Gain experience, build your transferable skills and learn new ones
• Be part of an amazing, committed team challenging stigma, bias, and inequalities

What you’d get from us…

• Job security
• An organisation with over 30 years of experience in the community
• Training and development opportunities
• A generous annual leave entitlement, 31 day per year plus bank holidays
• 6% pension contribution
• Life Assurance at three-times salary rate
• An employee health plan, helping with the costs of dental, optical treatments etc
• Access to staff counselling
• Perkbox Employee Benefits - 1000+ deals and discounts
• Travel expenses
• Flexible and hybrid working
• Earn between £25,991 – 27,290.55 per annum

This peer support project is delivered in partnership with South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust to support Carers of people with mental health conditions.  This project will work to support Carers through one-to-one support, outreach, training and peer support groups.

About The Role: 

Using your lived experience of caring for someone with a mental health condition, and a strengths-based approach, you will support mental health Carers in their caring role.  You will provide person centred one-to-one- support, information, signposting, and advocacy, develop, and facilitate peer support groups and deliver training and outreach sessions at different locations across the borough. 

Key Requirements Include: 

• Lived experience of Caring for someone with a mental health condition 

• Knowledge and understanding of mental health and the associated challenges and support needs. 

• The ability to work within the principles and values of peer support. 

• Confidence supporting people on a one-to-one basis. 

• Experience of / ability to facilitate peer support groups and training. 

• Clear communication and good interpersonal skills  

• Efficient organisation and time management skills 

• Developed IT skills, with experience using databases and communication platforms. 

Post Title Housing First Support Worker

Salary Up to £32,000

Hours 35 hours a week

Line management           None

Location SCT’s satellite site, Tower Hamlets

DBS: Enhanced Adult Workforce DBS is required for this role

Additional Benefits  BUPA Employee Assistance Programme and Wellbeing plan 

Cycle to work scheme 

Season ticket loan

25 days annual leave (rising to 30 days) plus bank holidays

Contributory Pension Scheme with employer-matched contributions of 5% 

Training and development opportunities

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

About the Role

As a Support Worker in our Housing First team, you’ll be a key point of contact for a small caseload of residents (approx. 6). You'll offer tailored, compassionate, housing-related and other person-centered support—enabling residents to articulate and achieve their goals, navigate systems, and rebuild their lives.

You’ll work closely with SCT’s internal services teams and external agencies to remove barriers, promote wellbeing, and champion the voice of each resident.

Key Responsibilities

Support and Advocacy

• Deliver person-centred, trauma-informed support to Housing First residents.
• Conduct comprehensive needs and risk assessments.
• Develop meaningful relationships that foster trust, choice and wellbeing.
• Advocate for residents’ access to healthcare, housing, benefits and specialist services.
• Support residents with practical tasks like budgeting, appointments, and accessing community resources.
• Encourage participation in community drug and alcohol services, and other recovery pathways.

Housing and Recovery Support

• Help residents secure, move into, and sustain suitable accommodation.
• Support the use of residents’ personalised budgets (e.g., for furniture, clothing, etc.).
• Work with residents and our housing partner to resolve issues and prevent eviction.
• Facilitate access to SCT’s wider services as required.

Collaboration and Coordination

• Build strong partnerships with local services, agencies and community networks.
• Maintain clear records on In-Form and contribute to reports and evaluations.

About You

Essential Skills and Experience

• Experienced in supporting adults with complex needs (e.g., addiction, homelessness, mental health).
• Possesses strong organisational skills and is able to work independently.
• Has excellent interpersonal, communication and active listening skills.
• Has up-to-date safeguarding knowledge.
• Is confident in the use of IT and a range of software packages.
• Is flexible, resilient, and adaptable to a changing environment.

Desirable

• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and PIE approaches.
• Understanding of the benefits system and tenancy sustainment.
• Familiarity with In-Form or comparable CRM system.

What We Offer

• A collaborative, inclusive and values-led working environment.
• Ongoing training and professional development.
• Opportunities to contribute to innovation within the Housing First team.
• The chance to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

Richmond Borough Mind | Journey Recovery Hub
 

Are you passionate about mental health and making a real difference in people’s lives? Join our dedicated team as a Crisis Café Support Worker!

 •  Salary: £13.85 per hour (£27,007.50 FTE)

 •  Hours: Shifts are 5.5 hours and we are looking for additional staff members to cover 4 shifts per week, ensuring that we are accessible to visitors between 6 - 10pm every evening. 

 •  Location: Twickenham and Kingston

As a Crisis Café Support Worker, you’ll provide compassionate, person-centred support to individuals experiencing mental health crises. You’ll play a key role in de-escalating crises, fostering recovery, and empowering clients to develop self-management strategies.

You’ll also facilitate group activities, collaborate with colleagues and partner agencies, and help create a welcoming, supportive environment for service users.

What You’ll Bring:

 •  Experience working with individuals in mental health crises or with complex needs.

 •  Excellent listening, communication, and motivational skills.

 •  Resilience and a calm approach to challenging situations.
 

This is an exciting opportunity to make a tangible difference in mental health provision and join a supportive team.

Apply Now to be part of a service that saves lives and transforms wellbeing.

Richmond Borough Mind is committed to diversity and inclusion. We are actively interviewing for this role.

About the role

This role sits within The Passage Housing Needs Service (HNS) team. It will provide brief interventions to support individuals who have been placed into accommodation by the HNS team to settle into and sustain their tenancies. The post holder will work holistically to assist individuals to address issues that are impacting on their ability to sustain their accommodation on a time limited basis and will link them into services in their local areas for ongoing support in order for them to gain independence and integrate into their new communities.

Main duties

• To provide support to individuals who are moving into their new private rented sector accommodation where appropriate and needed. This can include setting up utilities, council tax among other things.
• To establish and develop positive and constructive working relationships with a range of services and agencies across London boroughs that can provide support to our clients ensuring the best possible outcomes for them.
• To assess any risk to clients, the environment and staff, record and communicate any risks identified using appropriate channels in the Passage.
• To ensure accurate and timely record keeping using the Inform database as well as client files and ensure all record keeping and information sharing is kept securely in line with Data protection.
• Support HNS Workers to complete exit questionnaires to gather feedback and promote co production with the individuals the team supports.
• To draw up psychologically informed action plans for clients ensuring they are person centered and taking into consideration the clients’ views.

Key responsibilities

• In conjunction with your Housing Needs Service Coordinator to continuously develop the role to ensure that all tasks are being undertaken in an effective and appropriate manner which meets the strategic aims and objectives of The Passage.
• To participate in internal/external meetings as required, attend training events, conferences and other functions as necessary.
• To participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal, and help in identifying your own job-related development and training needs.
• To ensure that all The Passage policies and procedures are being adhered to, particularly those relating to Code of Practice and Confidentiality.
• To contribute to the effective implementation of The Passage’s Diversity and Equality Policy as it affects both The Passage and its work with vulnerable adults.
• To at all times undertake your role in a professional manner maintaining a high quality standard of work, and to always work in accordance with the aims, values and ethos of The Passage.

Desired experience

• Experience of providing tenancy support to vulnerable individuals.
• Experience of working with and advocating for vulnerable people who present with complex support needs in a person centered and psychologically informed manner.
• Experience of working collaboratively with voluntary and statutory agencies to deliver a service.
• Experience of establishing relationships and working with a wide range of take holders and liaising with support agencies.
• Experience of obtaining grants, local support payments and benefit payments for.

Desired knowledge

• Knowledge of how to work with clients within a psychologically informed framework.
• Knowledge of the issues which contribute to homelessness and challenges with maintaining tenancy.
• Knowledge of risk and incident management in a psychologically informed manner.
• Knowledge of welfare rights and how they impact on our client group.
• Knowledge of resources, and other services supporting vulnerable people, and how
  to access them to obtain a positive outcome for our clients.

Above all we are looking for inspiring and committed individuals who have a genuine desire to support people, and to help them to rebuild their lives.

Bank Worker

Looking for flexible work where you can make a real difference? Join a team delivering high-quality support to young people at risk of homelessness.

Position: Bank Worker
Location: North East, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear
Hours: Flexible shifts available
Salary: £12.24 per hour
Closing Date: Wednesday 18th June, 2025

About the Role

As a Bank Support Worker, you'll work flexibly to provide ad hoc cover in the absence of permanent staff across a range of accommodation services. You'll ensure the safety, wellbeing and positive progression of young people by offering practical and emotional support, housing management, and administrative duties.

Whether it’s a one-off shift or regular cover, you’ll be a vital part of a dedicated team helping young people move towards independence and a positive future.

Key Responsibilities:

· Ensure the service is welcoming, safe and well-managed, adhering to safeguarding and health & safety protocols.

· Provide high-quality, person-centred support to young people in accommodation services.

· Respond to residents' needs sensitively and respectfully, promoting trust and empowerment.

· Maintain accurate records including log books, incident reports, and resident files.

· Liaise with external agencies including local authorities and benefits agencies.

· Assist residents in maintaining their accommodation and managing tenancy obligations.

· Collect service charges and manage petty cash in line with organisational procedures.

· Collaborate effectively with colleagues, including handing over key information at shift changes.

· Maintain cleanliness and encourage residents’ participation in shared responsibilities.

About You

We’re looking for someone who:

· Has experience working in homelessness, youth work or a related support environment (paid or voluntary).

· Understands the needs of young people facing homelessness and how to support them effectively.

· Communicates clearly and compassionately, with strong listening and writing skills.

· Can stay calm and professional in challenging situations.

· Is confident in using basic IT systems and maintaining accurate records.

· Is flexible and committed to providing high-quality, values-driven support.

· Aligns with the charity’s values and approach to inclusion, dignity, and empowerment.

About the Organisation

The charity delivers a wide range of support and housing services for young people and adults at risk of homelessness. They specialise in the provision of services that prevent homelessness, increase the resilience of those they work with and energise opportunities for employment, education, training and volunteering in the communities they work within. The organisation reaches from Newcastle to London, Greater Manchester to Sheffield and Kent.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Relief Worker, Youth Support Worker, Homelessness Support Worker, Hostel Worker, Night Worker, Project Worker, Care Worker, Keyworker, Floating Support Worker, Housing Support Worker. #INDSCP

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced strategic lead to drive the next phase of our Right to Health campaign. This new role will work with our experienced and well respected team and our extensive network, to make the political case for the better legal recognition and real-world protection for the right to health. 

An ideal candidate

You will be a passionate and experienced advocate for health, human, social or environmental rights, committed to driving meaningful change in the UK. You will bring proven expertise in leading policy, advocacy, or parliamentary engagement work - ideally within health, human rights, social or environmental justice sectors - and thrive in building strong, strategic relationships with government, civil society, and community stakeholders.

You have a good understanding of the structural causes of health inequality and the power of human rights frameworks to address them. You will know how the UK political and parliamentary systems work, and you are skilled at influencing these processes through clear, compelling narratives backed by evidence.

You are able to communicate with clarity and impact, tailoring your message to diverse audiences - from policymakers to grassroots activists. You are confident working independently and collaboratively within a small, flexible team, balancing strategic vision with practical delivery. Your approach is solutions-focused, inclusive, and grounded in the lived realities of people affected by health inequalities.

Most importantly, you are motivated by the opportunity to join a dynamic and well respected organisation and lead a strategic campaign that challenges the status quo and contributes to a fairer, more just UK.

You have the right to work in the UK and be able to work from home in London or within easy reach of London.  A minimum of weekly attendance in London will be required.

This opportunity is open to applicants wishing to deliver the work on a self-employed freelance or employed basis.

We’re an award-winning charity running local learning centres in the heart of the communities where the young people we support live. Our centres provide a high-impact education programme which includes practical learning support, pastoral care, and motivational and confidence-building activities for young people aged 7-18. Our aim is to enable students from the least advantaged neighbourhoods to realise their ambitions and achieve their wonderful potential.

As the UK’s leading university access organisation, our staff team is helping over 50,000 young people each year at its 44 learning centres and extension projects across England and Scotland, and we plan to scale-up our provision to 50 centres over the coming years.

We are looking for graduates who will enjoy working each day with young people and who will thrive in a frontline, community-based, fast-paced and rewarding role.You will be taking up a fixed-term contract as an Education Worker at our centre in Middlesbrough.

The role at a glance

Contract: Full-time, fixed term until 28th September 2025

Start date: As soon as possible, to be agreed directly with the successful candidate

Working hours
Mon and Thurs: 09:30-18:00
Tues, Weds, Fri: 09:00-17:30

(Some additional weekend & unsocial hours will be required)

Education Workers are based at one of our IntoUniversity learning centres and work directly with young people, schools and families on a daily basis. It is therefore not a hybrid role and is based full-time in our centres.

Location

We have positions available in Middlesbrough.

The role requires intermittent travel in your region (usually within the day) this can involve journeys times of 1 hour+. Occasional travel out of your local area e.g. to London is also required, this may include overnight stays.

Salary

£27,400

Annual leave
33 days (inc bank & public holidays) + 3 closure days (two in December and one in July) + additional length of service entitlement (one day per year of service, up to 5 days)

Staff benefits

• Employer pension contributions of 6% (and up to 8% after two years)
• Year round ‘early finish’ Fridays at 4.30pm
• Summer working hours (finish at 1pm on Fridays for six weeks in the summer), pro-rated for staff joining after January in the same year 
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to wellbeing and legal support 
• Life Assurance scheme with Aviva including SmartHealth service with access to 24/7 online GP appointments
• Interest-free new starter loans of up to £1,000
• Cycle to Work Scheme and Travelcard Loan Scheme
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption pay and sick pay allowances
• Staff in FOCUS – rewards, competitions and prizes across the year

Application deadline - There is not a fixed deadline. Instead, we will be assessing applications on a rolling basis and will appoint when we have found the right candidate, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

What could my day look like?

The Education Worker role is a frontline, fast-paced and rewarding role where no two weeks will look the same. A typical day will have different activities, possibly spread between the IntoUniversity centre, partner schools and the offices of a corporate partner.

In the morning, you might be setting off with resources to run a workshop for sixth-form students in their secondary school. In the afternoon you may be setting up the classroom ahead of running Primary Academic Support for young people in your IntoUniversity centre. On other days, you may be travelling to a corporate partner to run a business simulation workshop for 15 year-olds or leading a group of final year primary school students on a campus visit for their graduation.

As an Education Worker, you’ll always be delivering the programme as part of your centre team, which means that any delivery is always a team effort. 

Some of the work will be providing specialised wrap around support to children and their families where the child has been, or is currently being sexually exploited (CSE support). You will provide information about reporting processes; support CYP who have reported to the police; provide emotional support to CYP when they give their evidence in court and provide information about other options, such as civil action and Criminal Injuries Compensation.

12 month fixed-term contract with opportunities for extension (funding dependent)

An approved and accredited ISVA qualification is preferable for this post, and will start at the accredited salary rate. However, candidates who demonstrate and live RSVP’s values (bold-believing-big hearted), and have a willingness to work towards ISVA accreditation will also be considered.

Salary

Untrained ISVA: £31,067 (NJC 19) full time equivalent plus 3% employer pension contribution

Accredited ISVA: £32,654 (NJC 22) full time equivalent plus 3% employer pension contribution

Hours of work 

Full-time | 38 hours per week | Working hours pattern: 3 days working 9am-5pm, 1 day working 9am-3pm and 1 day working 11am-7pm | 2 days working from home a week

Standard office hours (9am-5pm) with a requirement to work late one evening a week. You may occasionally be require to work outside of hours.

Location:

Mainly in our Birmingham City Centre offices with some remote working

Purpose of post:

To provide a high quality and victim/survivor-focused advocacy service to CYP who have been subjected to sexual violence, abuse, sexual exploitation and/or coercion, in order to:

• Provide emotional and practical support, at every stage of the victim/survivor journey
• Pro-actively and assertively advocate for those who have reported to the Police, are thinking of doing so, or choose not to report (safeguarding guidelines will be followed at all times).
• Ensure that the voices, needs, rights and legal entitlements of children and young people are heard, understood and acted upon by all individuals and organisations.
• Following safeguarding assessments and reduce risk to keep children and young people (and others) safe
• Ensure that victims/survivors can access the health and other support services that they need.
• Support the work of the CYP ISVA Team, and the wider ISVA Team (Adult, LGBT, Sex Worker and Race and Equality ISVAs) which may include working within Umbrella sexual health settings and other appropriate services as required.
• Work closely with our Counselling and Wellbeing Services Teams.

Location: Bristol

Salary: £31,133 per annum pro rata

Hours: Full time – 37.5 hour per week

Contract: Permanent

Closing date: Sunday 8th June 2025 at 11:30pm

Are you compassionate, proactive and collaborative with experience in housing and homelessness advice and advocacy? If you are looking for an exciting new career opportunity, then join Shelter as a Housing Rights Worker and you could soon be making a real difference to people affected by the housing emergency.

About the role

As Housing Rights Worker, you will deliver high quality housing advice and advocacy in line with the hub’s local community priorities. This will involve working alongside people who are experiencing homelessness and bad housing to identify issues facing local communities.  You will plan and deliver casework to individuals and communities to resolve their housing situation, networking and engaging with community groups, local organisations and individuals to understand local housing issues and raise awareness of housing rights.

You will also work within local community settings and alongside community groups, delivering advice and rights awareness workshops. You will ensure that people with lived experience of homelessness have opportunities to share their story, give their views and participate in the design and delivery of Shelter services. You will offer day to day support to volunteers, provide learning, shadowing and mentoring and be a consistent role model for Shelter’s values.

About you

You will have the ability to engage and work collaboratively with individuals, communities and with all stakeholders, including running group workshops and presentations. You have experience, knowledge of and/or proven ability in housing and homelessness advice and advocacy, with the ability to progress to specialist level knowledge. Essential to the role will be good time management, carrying out casework related interviews, maintaining detailed case records and offering advice and support to clients to inform their decisions.

Benefits 

In return we offer a competitive salary as well as a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave (pro rata), enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

About the team

Shelter Bristol provides vital housing advice and support services, specialising in emergency homelessness work, intensive support to children and families, people experiencing domestic abuse and those experiencing multiple disadvantages. We provide front line support to over 5,000 people a year in the city and work to improve the underlying systems which perpetuate the housing emergency.

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

How to apply

Please click ‘Apply for Job’ on the advert. You are required to submit a CV and a supporting statement with responses to the following points in the ‘About you’ section of the job description of no more than 350 words each. Please provide specific examples following the STAR format:

• Knowledge and experience of housing and homelessness advice and advocacy and the ability to progress to specialist level knowledge
• Ability to listen to, engage and work with individuals and communities
• Experience of delivering and/or ability to deliver group workshops and presentations

Safeguarding Statement

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them

The Role 

Multiple Disadvantage refuge workers provide specialist support services to women with multiple needs, who have experienced domestic, or sexual violence and who have mental illness or use substances problematically.

You will work as part of the Refuge Team to enhance provision to women who may face additional barriers to accessing refuge or maintaining their space in supported accommodation.  This role will be located over one or two boroughs, and you will have a small caseload across a number of sites. You will undertake risk assessments, safety plans and identify support needs in relation to move on such as accessing benefits, setting up utilities, budgeting, ensuring safety measures are in place and to support them to maintain their tenancy. You will provide solution focused casework, whilst ensuring the service users voice is heard throughout. Providing support with life skills and practical support in relation to skills that may not yet have been developed.

You will enhance the refuge service by providing ad hoc advise and capacity building for the refuge team in working with women who experience additional disadvantage.  You will contribute to the smooth running of the refuge, including admissions of survivors.  You will work with women to devise a support plan that meets their immediate practical and emotional needs and starts the process of recovery, linking women into more specialist support services where required.  You will assist your colleagues with the smooth running of the refuge ensuring that rents and service charges are paid, rooms are available, organising repairs and responding to crisis situations.

Accountabilities

· Provide Solution-focused casework interventions with women who have experienced VAWG and severe and multiple disadvantage

· Provide emotional support using a trauma informed approach

· Ensure ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with service users within an attitude of ‘positive risk taking’

· Provide support with life skills, including practical assistance where skills are not yet developed

· Maintain accurate case notes and up to date records

· Contribute to the completion of outcomes reports and funding returns when required

· Complete risk assessments and safety and support planning to meet the individual needs of service users  

· Build and maintain supportive relationships with women, empowering them to access services

· Involve service users in the design, development and delivery of the service

· Promote coordinated, joined-up service delivery for service users between violence against women services and drug and alcohol agencies, mental health, housing, health and legal agencies.

· Attend and contribute to MARAC as appropriate

· Be self-motivated to research processes and services in order to fully support and advocate for the women. 

· Attend regular supervision sessions with your Line Manager

Values, Behaviours & Competencies

· Committed to the purpose of Solace Women’s Aid, ensuring that the service user is at the heart of service delivery and development

· Feminist in understanding ‘Violence against Women and Girls’

· Committed to fostering innovation and continuous improvement in working practice

· Flexible and open to new challenges, ideas and experiences, and able to be self-reflective

· Committed to understanding diversity and ensuring anti-discriminatory practice is applied in all forms of our work

· Non-judgemental with a commitment to self-care within the team

· Collaborative, building relationships with internal and external partners.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills 

· Experience of working with survivors of domestic abuse or similar client group

· Experience of working in a multi disadvantage setting

· Experience of multi-agency partnership working.

· Experience of working managing risk and following case management procedures to meet the needs of a diverse and vulnerable client group

· In depth understanding of domestic and sexual abuse and its effect on women and children

· A good understanding of confidentiality and professional boundaries

· An understanding of, and commitment to, Equal Opportunities and diversity

· Ability to provide an effective key working service to women affected by domestic abuse

· Effective interpersonal and group work skills

· Ability to prioritise own work plan and work to deadlines

· Ability to operate and maintain basic administrative and financial systems

· Ability to provide accurate reports and record information

· Proficient use of Microsoft Office Packages

Qualifications

DAPA/IDVA/ISVA/housing/benefits qualification desirable

We are looking for a Domestic Abuse Support Worker to join our team and work within Manchester City Council’s multi-disciplinary Thriving Families Service. The role involves providing one-to-one support to adult victims / survivors of domestic abuse, within families where safeguarding concerns have been identified.

The role
In this role you will complete and regularly review risk and needs assessments with victims - survivors of domestic abuse.   You will liaise with partner agencies, actively contributing to multi-agency plans and risk management / safeguarding procedures. You will carry out a large and varied range of practical support which may include safety planning, advocacy and explaining legal and civil options available. We also offer emotional support to those people we work with, encouraging and supporting them to rebuild lost confidence and self-esteem. Using a trauma-informed approach you will place the people we are supporting at the centre of your work.

About you

You’ll have a deep understanding of the nature of domestic abuse and its effects on clients and children.

Your knowledge extends to the range of statutory and voluntary agencies that clients and their children may encounter, and you are aware of the impact of domestic abuse on children and parenting, including the additional needs of clients from BMER communities.

You will have experience in working with clients on issues of domestic abuse, providing one-to-one support and advice, managing your own workload and administration, and assessing the safety needs of clients. You have handled safeguarding disclosures and referrals, and you communicate clearly with a range of people both over the telephone and in person.

You will be organised, able to use your initiative, and work effectively as part of a multi-service team. Your administrative skills are strong, and you are adept at using electronic case management systems.

Flexible and willing to work evenings, you can travel independently. Additionally, you have an understanding of the legal options available to clients, the child protection system, and services for those experiencing domestic abuse. Experience liaising with social workers and other professionals, and in related areas such as substance misuse, mental health, child protection, or family support, is desirable.

Fluency in an additional language and skills in group work are also advantageous. You stay updated with best practices and new initiatives.

About us

TLC: Talk Listen Change provide a range of domestic abuse services for perpetrators, victims-survivors and their families.  We are continuously expanding and enhancing our programmes, including the development of new services and initiatives to support more people. This is a pivotal time for TLC: Talk Listen Change and we are looking for enthusiastic, experienced, engaged and highly motivated people to join our team.

We aim to encourage a culture where people can be themselves and be valued for their strengths. We seek to attract and employ the best people from the widest pool, reflecting the diverse range of people we support.

We want to make our recruitment processes accessible to everyone, so if there is any way that we can support you to be the best you can be, please contact us. 

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.