Jobs for the Housing and Homelessness sector

Job Title: Domestic Abuse and Housing Support Worker

Location:  Pathway Project Lichfield Office Based

Salary: £ 24,347 Full time equivalent – Actual salary is £19,478

Hours of Work: 30 Hours per week (over 4 or 5 days)

Responsible to :  Team Leader – Outreach Team

This role is open to women only

The postholder will require a driving licence and access to a vehicle to undertake this role.

This post is open to women only  under the Equality Act 2010 pursuant to Schedule 9, Part 1.  We value diversity and are committed to ensuring that our organisation is an inclusive place to work. We encourage applications from women from all backgrounds and communities and actively welcome applicants from Black, Asian, or other ethnic minority backgrounds and women with a disability 

 About Pathway Project

We are a domestic and sexual abuse service based in Lichfield & Tamworth, Staffordshire.

We offer a range of support services and run two refuges in confidential locations.

We have been operating for over 30 years helping adults and children overcome domestic abuse, and to build a future where they live in safety and are free from fear.

Since our founder, Kathy Coe MBE, created Pathway Project, we have helped over 25,000 people, with 5,814 hours of support provided in the last year.

We offer a wide range of services, including adult and children outreach and community support, mental health, wellbeing and financial advice.

We support victims in their journey to become survivors and offer specialist counselling, advocacy and care to all who need us.

Pathway Project believes in working as a cohesive team and are service user led.

Our helpline is access to all and is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Why work for us?

Pathway Project is an inspiring and caring place to be, we are a charity with big ambitions and huge energy.

We have a string belief in staff development and are currently evolving a bold new strategy and a passion  for excellence in service delivery.

Supported by a driven and energetic board of trustees the new Chief Executive is leading Pathway Project through their ambitious plans.

It’s a really fantastic time to join our amazing charity as we move into the next phase of our exciting journey.

We are a flexible and supportive employer, committed to the personal and professional development and wellbeing of our employees. We welcome applications from women with lived experience of domestic abuse and from minority  or under-represented groups.

We offer the following benefits:

• 25 days paid leave plus statutory holidays (pro rata)
• A competitive pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme delivered by Health Assured which offers incredible support to staff and their families

We value our colleagues and are constantly reviewing our policies and practice, looking for ways in which we can better demonstrate this. We also recognise the potential impact of working in this field and provide clinical supervision to all of our employees, whatever their role.

JOB SUMMARY

She will be responsible for the co-ordination of an effective support plan for clients dealing with issues around domestic abuse and housing.

She will  provide emotional and practical support from the point of crisis, meeting their immediate needs and working towards a holistic, multi-agency approach to their long term safety, risk reduction and recovery.

She will  be responsible for the co-ordination of an effective support plan for adults dealing with issues around domestic abuse.  She will provide emotional and practical support from the point of crisis, meeting their immediate needs and working towards a holistic, multi-agency approach to their long-term safety, risk reduction and recovery. 

She will ensure that they are informed of the full range of emotional, practical and referral options that are available to them, and to facilitate access to this support, both internally and externally. 

This support will be based in the community, including client’s homes where risk appropriate, and the Hope Centre and will involve utilising all of Pathway Projects available services, as well as referring into other appropriate agencies. 

.MAIN DUTIES

· To work as part of the outreach team in providing information, support, guidance, advice, signposting, emergency accommodation and resettlement help for adults experiencing or escaping domestic abuse. 

· To support the aims and principles of Pathway Project in empowering and supporting adults who have experienced domestic abuse to make their own decisions and take control of their own lives. 

· Take all possible steps to ensure the safety and confidentiality of the users, staff and management of Pathway Project. 

· To take referrals for people affected by domestic abuse and housing issues, and provide preventative and risk reducing work with regards to both the domestic abuse and housing. 

· To provide a multi-agency approach to support and wellbeing for clients. 

· To provide non-judgemental, one to one emotional and practical support to clients accessing the service. 

· To provide advice and guidance on the full range of services, options and legal remedies open to them. 

· To complete risk assessments, and develop risk management plans to address the risk of harm, including referral into MARAC where appropriate. 

· To undertake safety planning with clients, that addresses all areas of risk, with the focus on risk reduction. 

· To complete needs assessments and individual support plans with the client to ensure their emotional and practical support needs are being met 

· To provide support to clients, alongside colleagues around registering as homeless, bidding on properties, attending appropriate meetings, applying for grants, budgeting for necessary items and necessary life skills for maintaining a property. 

OUTREACH DUTIES

· To provide support to adults in the community, at the centre and their own homes, around physical, emotional, financial, sexual and social abuse. 

· To provide emotional support and, where necessary, signpost to appropriate counselling provisions. 

· To provide practical support and advice around welfare benefits, housing, debt relief, substance misuse, training, employment, mental health and legal issues, including the use of signposting to other appropriate members of staff and agencies. 

· To provide advocacy and liaise with other agencies on behalf of the client where appropriate and necessary. 

· To attend multi agency and professionals meetings to represent the needs of the client and Pathway Project. 

· To attend appointments with the client where required, and if necessary help with the completion of paperwork, including legal documents. 

· To attend court with the client where required. 

· To promote the work of the project through training, presentations and representation at meetings. 

· To assist with the setting up and maintaining of local support networks. 

· To assist with the delivery of client support groups where appropriate. 

GENERAL

• Manage a caseload of appropriate to the number of hours worked. 

• Maintain, update and keep accurate and factual case records. 

• Follow procedures and protocols with other services so that the safety of the service user is kept central to any process. 

• Keep other relevant agencies informed about important changes in service user’s situations, within information sharing protocols. 

• Develop and maintain effective communication systems with key partners including housing, Police, CPS, court service, social services, education, health, victim support, witness service, voluntary sector organisations, CAFCASS. 

• Contribute to the development of service policies, protocols, guidelines and strategies within area of practice as necessary. 

• To ensure that the security of sensitive data is maintained and complies with the policies, procedures and guidelines of the organisation. 

OTHER

· Any other duties the  CEO  or  Board of Trustees consider appropriate.

· The post holder must have a commitment to the aims of the Pathway Project, and uphold all agreed policies and procedures.

Person Specification

Essential

Ability to drive  with a clean driving license and access to a vehicle.

Confident  and eloquent speaker and networker.

Ability to write clear and concise reports and case notes.

Experience of Housing issues and supporting adults with Housing queries.

Experience of or the ability to work with challenging individuals or situations.

Experience of supporting clients in any form.

Has an understanding of the issues facing domestic abuse victims.

Experience of working with vulnerable clients.

Experience of multi-agency working.

Experience of and an understanding of Safeguarding practice.

Desirable

Confident presenter.

Ability to write and deliver workshops to groups of adults.

Ability to manage a diverse caseload and manage competing priorities.

Experience of Domestic Abuse  or worked in the domestic abuse field.

Knowledge of working in the third sector.

Ability to manage a crisis situation and remain calm and in control.

The ability to use initiative and be self directed in their work.

The ability to maintain professional boundaries and yet still build a rapport.

Being self motivated and able to generate connections and network locally to further the work of Pathway Project.