Refuge Advocate Worker

Please note:  Applications are to be made using the application form on our website. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT CVs or APPLICATIONS THROUGH CHARITY JOB.  Thank you

ABOUT SAFETY4SISTERS

Safety4Sisters (S4S) is a specialist Black and minoritised by and for women’s organisation based in Manchester. Our aim is to promote the human rights of migrant women experiencing a spectrum of gendered violence by providing a trauma informed, specialist, holistic and integrative programme of support to Black and minoritised survivors with NRPF. Support is underpinned by the following strands of services and activities; culturally competent advocacy, welfare and destitution support, a specialist refuge dedicated to migrant women with NRPF, therapeutic activities, groups and training, social activities, a helpline for both professionals and women, grassroots campaigning, and strategic advocacy.

Abonsh House is our specialist refuge based in Greater Manchester, providing short-term accommodation for up to four single migrant women with no recourse to public funds, who are experiencing gender-based violence.

This includes single migrant women who have overstayed their visa conditions and those who are undocumented. We only accommodate single migrant women, as migrant women with children are eligible for support from the Local Authority under Section 17 of the Children Act.

JOB PURPOSE

To provide information, advice, support and advocacy to the women living within our refuge and support the smooth running of the building.  You will be responsible for providing women with continuous one-to-one support, practical advice and advocacy and ensuring that the women receive comprehensive support that addresses their physical and mental health, social care, housing, immigration and benefit-related needs.  You will be the main contact for the day to day operations of the refuge and its maintenance. 

 MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

1.      To have key responsibility in the referral and reception of women into the refuge. 

2.      To provide one to one emotional support to women in the refuge, with the specific aim of encouragement and empowerment to enable survivors to make informed choices in their lives. 

3.      To ensure the provision of caseworker support services for women seeking refuge accommodation. 

4.      Participate in the refuge on-call rota, providing out-of-hours support and responding appropriately to emergencies and urgent issues to ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents.

5.      To deliver a high standard of care planning and casework for women at the refuge. 

6.      To provide survivors with all necessary and relevant information on policies and procedures of the refuge, such as confidentiality/licence agreements/house rules/aims and objectives of S4S etc. 

7.      To support the Refuge Manager in the day to day running, maintenance, H&S and overall upkeep of the refuge premises, ensuring a clean, comfortable, and welcoming space.

8.      To take responsibility for the provision of all aspects of casework support.  This includes advising on and assisting with obtaining funding/ benefits, injunctions and other legal remedies, immigration rights, children and contact issues, police escorts, health housing and move-on accommodation, training/education matters, and other relevant areas. 

9.      To ensure completion of all necessary forms including NRPF funding application forms or housing and welfare benefit forms. 

10.  To represent women and advocate on their behalf when dealing with outside agencies such as the Police, DSS, Solicitors, Social Services, Health Professionals, Housing, and all other relevant agencies. 

11.  To offer a programme of resettlement support to women/families moving out from emergency accommodation to independent living.  At a practical level this will include assistance with claiming relevant benefits, connection of gas and electrical services, budgeting etc.  At an emotional level this will include providing one-to-one support for personal development and independence.

12.   Assist  in  developing  and  meeting  quality  standards  in  relation  to  advice  and  casework.  This  includes  administration  and  IT  systems  for  advice  and  casework. 

13.  Support women to access Safety4Sisters groups and other external wellbeing activities in the area.

14.   To  publicise  and  provide  S4S  services,  and  attend,  contribute  and  represent  the  organisation  at  relevant  local  meetings  or  initiatives. 

GENERAL  DUTIES  AND  RESPONSIBILITIES    

1.      Contribute  to  the  smooth  running  of  the  project  and  activities 

2.      Assist in maintaining high standards in all aspects of the organisations work; including conduct with colleagues, external agencies and service users.

3.      Comply and promote issues of confidentiality, equal opportunities and other policies and procedures of the organisations.

4.      Attend supervision, training and staff, management and team meetings when required.

5.      Promote equality and diversity in all aspects of Safety4Sisters work.

HEALTH AND SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES

1.      Be fully compliant with all Health and Safety legislation. 

2.      Ensure that your work area is maintained in a clean, safe and tidy manner, all equipment is used safely according to instructions, and work is carried to ensure no risk to yourself, other employees and visitors.

FLEXIBILITY CLAUSE

In order to deliver services effectively, a degree of flexibility is required, and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. Such duties, however, will fall within the scope of the job at the appropriate grade.

This job description will be subjected to review with the post holder, to ensure that it accurately reflects the duties and range of the post. The aim is to improve the quality of service for Black and minoritised women and all matters relating to their well-being.

When necessary, the post holder may be expected to work evenings and weekends. This time can be claimed back as TOIL.

This post is:

·       subject to Enhanced DBS Disclosure

·       subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.  It will be necessary for a disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and barring Service for details of any previous criminal convictions.

·       open to women* only (*exempt under the Equality Act 2010 Schedule 9, Part 1).