Family Support Worker – Refuge Services

Location: MK Act Office, Milton Keynes
Hours: 22 per week
Salary: £15,398.24
Contract: Permanent
Reporting to: Refuge Deputy Manager
Closing Date: 4.11.2025

About Us

MK Act is a long-established domestic abuse charity with over 50 years’ experience supporting individuals and families across Milton Keynes. We provide safety, refuge, advocacy and long-term support, helping survivors rebuild their lives with dignity and stability.

We are seeking a compassionate Family Support Worker to join our refuge team. You will provide day-to-day support to residents, complete assessments, develop support plans and promote a safe, stable and recovery-focused environment. This role suits someone empathetic, organised and committed to trauma-informed practice.

Why Join Us?

• Make a meaningful impact for survivors and their children
• Supportive, specialist team environment
• Professional development and training opportunities
• 25 days’ annual leave (pro rata) + bank holidays
• Additional paid birthday leave
• Free annual eye test
• Opportunity to grow within an expanding charity

Key Responsibilities

Client Support

• Complete assessments of need and risk.
• Provide keyworking, safety planning and practical advice.
• Develop and review support plans using the Empowerment Star.
• Maintain accurate case notes and support Housing Benefit paperwork.
• Identify safeguarding concerns and escalate appropriately.
• Support access to programmes and deliver activities for residents.
• Respond to referrals for refuge accommodation.

Partnership Work

• Work with social care, health and other agencies to support safety and wellbeing.
• Advocate for survivors in multi-agency meetings.
• Build positive working relationships with external partners.

General Duties

• Contribute to monitoring and reporting.
• Participate in the 24-hour on-call rota.
• Report repairs, liaise with contractors and support void management.
• Support volunteers within the service.
• Attend required training, supervision and meetings.
• Ensure compliance with data protection, safeguarding and organisational procedures.

About You

You will thrive in this role if you are empathetic, organised and confident supporting residents with a range of practical and emotional needs.

Essential

• Knowledge of domestic abuse and its impact on survivors and children.
• Understanding of risk, safeguarding and support planning.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work with multiple agencies.
• Experience supporting survivors or vulnerable individuals.
• Ability to remain calm and professional in challenging situations.
• Strong record-keeping and IT skills.

Desirable

• Experience in refuge, domestic abuse or crisis-support environments.
• Experience completing assessments or working with statutory/voluntary agencies.
• Understanding of the Empowerment Star.
• Relevant domestic abuse training or willingness to undertake training.