Are you passionate about making a difference in Southwark?

We are looking for an enthusiastic social prescriber/link worker to join the South Southwark Primary Care Network. This is an excellent opportunity to work directly with people with more complex needs and help them to access the support they need to live independent and healthier lives. This is especially important during these times, when people will need this support more than ever.  

As a Social Prescriber link worker, you will provide time limited support to local residents, understanding their needs and helping them to access the support they need to achieve their goals. This will involve building links and liaising with various services/staff in the local area – you would work closely with general practices, health, social care, voluntary and community organisations.

This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of a network that will develop and improve patient care. You will work with local residents, services and contribute to how we shape this service to make it work for our local residents.

The successful candidate will work across different areas within our network and be embedded within general practice. They will exercise a flexible and proactive approach and work well as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

This is an exciting role which will develop and grow with time and the successful candidate.

With child poverty on the rise, we are looking for incredible people to help us grow our work, helping us reach every child who needs us.

Could this be you?

Key duties include: 

• Project Management of our holiday club for 8- 12 year olds.
• Running young leaders groups across High Schools.
• Overseeing the delivery of free shoes, coats and learning resources to children and young people in need. 
• Managing relationships with key staff across our partner schools, organisations and community.
• Supporting the development of our training centre. 

If you fit the following criteria, we think you will love this role. 

Experience

• Working with children and/or young people. 
• Planning and delivering high quality projects/events or activities. 
• Managing volunteers or staff.

Knowledge

• Level 1 safeguarding children and young people.
• Knowledge of UK child poverty.
• Knowledge of UK schooling system.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both written and spoken).
• Able to take responsibility for several challenging tasks and prioritise effectively.
• Able to think creatively and find unique ways to solve problems. 

For more information please download attachments or visit our website. 

Main Purpose of Job

Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest, working in partnership with Turning Point and Antidote, provide the City and Hackney Recovery service.  The service is based in each of City and Hackney’s neighbourhoods in order to be accessible, local and inclusive.  A full integrated service, shaped by the community needs and voices of service users, carers, families, communities, all staff and volunteers will contribute to recovery, social inclusion and improving the quality of life of all our service users in the City of London and Hackney borough. The service has three elements:  Out There, Everywhere- specialist outreach, in reach and engagement, Building Blocks- low, medium and hi intensity support pathways, and Get Connected- building on our local, person and shared assets to provide recovery capital and peer support. This role will lead community research on local issues that can affect substance use, enabling better targeting of resources to meet unmet demand or need in different localities. The role will also support service development through developing feedback channels and engaging with local communities to ensure the service offer is responsive.

Main tasks and responsibilities

• To hold a caseload to support people with recovery from addiction and prevent substance use
• To deliver MindCHWF psychosocial interventions 
• Developing strength-based recovery plans with individuals that are comprehensive, person-centred and individualised based on a clear assessment of that individual’s needs and circumstances   
• Involving individuals and their family/advocates in the planning of the individual’s care  
• Completing accurate, person-centred and individualised risk assessments  
•  Holding frequent key work sessions  
• Providing person-centred care that reflects the rights, preferences and choices of individuals in an environment that is safe, healthy and maintains the individual’s dignity and well-being  
•  Administering prescriptions in accordance with stated policy and procedure and the client’s needs  
• Providing an environment that is free from abuse or neglect, observing agreed safeguarding practices 
• Identifying and promoting appropriate opportunities for individuals to engage with their community. (g. Employment, Training and Education, volunteering etc)  
• Reviewing and monitoring the individual’s recovery through regular recovery plan reviews that ensure continued relevance of interventions.  Engaging in regular 1-2-1 supervision and clinical team meetings 

To apply, please visit our website and complete the application form and email to HR. Please tell us in your email if you wish to be considered for the full-time or part-time position. No late applications will be accepted unless an extension is needed as a reasonable adjustment for disability. Should this be the case, please email HR to let us know. Interviews will be held the second week of December.

Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff, and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. 

We are a disability confident employer. All applicants with a disability, who meet the minimum essential short-listing criteria are guaranteed an interview. If this applies to you, please make sure you fill out the Equal Opportunities portion of the application form. 

We at Mind CHWF want to assure you that your privacy and the security of your data is our top priority. It always has been, and it will continue to be, as we refine our policies and internal processes. Please take a moment to read through our applicant’s privacy notice. 

We Are Currently Recruiting For A Number Of Social Prescribing Link-Worker Roles (Full Time, Immediate Start) 

1x Full time - fixed term until 31st March 2021

1x Full time - fixed term until June 2021

2x Full time - fixed term for 3 years

Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week

Salary: £22,462 per annum depending on experience

Location: South Gloucestershire

Application closing date: 4th December 2021 (12 midday)

Interview date for successful candidates: TBC.

We currently have several opportunities available for an enthusiastic, organised and motivated individual to be part of the Social Prescribing project at Southern Brooks Community Partnerships.

Job purpose

Social prescribing and community-based support is part of the NHS Long-Term Plan’s commitment to personalised care.  Social Prescribers will work closely with Primary Care Teams to enable people to find the support they need to manage their physical and mental health and wellbeing by connecting them to groups and agencies in their community for practical and emotional support. By
giving people the time to talk about what “matters to me” and to unpick complex issues affecting their wellbeing focusing on the wider determinants of health. They enable people to have more control over their lives, develop skills and give their time to others, through
involvement in community groups. Social Prescribers will see people in their local GP Practice, community venues and may visit people in their homes, when needed.  On average, Social Prescribers will have between up to 12 contacts with a person, depending on their needs, over a three-month period with a caseload of around 35 people at any one time. They connect people to community groups and help the person to develop skills, friendship and resilience.

Social Prescribers will receive referrals from GP practices within their allocated Primary Care
Network.
Working as part of Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDTs) in GP surgeries, Social Prescribers will
• receive referrals from GP practices
• have a key role in their Primary Care Networks
• be employed by Southern Brooks or DHI
• contribute to the Health and Wellbeing work that Southern Brooks and DHI are developing
and to the wider partnership.

Do you want to work for a dynamic, creative, fast-paced charity?

At Action Together we see the amazing things people achieve when they work together to make the lives of others better. If you share our values; believe it’s possible; strengthen others and be true, we’d love you to consider joining our team.

Action Together are recruiting two full time and one part time Social Prescribing Link Workers to expand our established Social Prescribing Service by delivering our model in GP surgeries and community venues across Oldham. 

The Role

• To work as a key part of the established Oldham Social Prescribing Service, as part of an honorary contract with the Primary Care Network and their constituent practices.
• To work alongside people living within Oldham, building on “what matters to me”, to coproduce a simple “wellbeing action plan” based on the person`s strengths, needs and preferences, connecting them to community activities and support to improve their health and wellbeing.
• To support people in Oldham to play a more active role in managing their health and wellbeing by accessing community-based provision that improves their community connections & supports them to improve their personal resilience.To work closely with Primary Care to bridge the gap between clinical services and social prescribing.
• To manage a caseload of clients referred into the service by health & social care professionals.
• To hold clinics in each of the GP practices to meet with potential clients referred from the practice and carry out home/community visits as required with those clients

About You

The ideal candidate for this role will have;

• Experience of working with people to identify their strengths and to help them reach their aims
• Experience of community based remote working 
• Experience of developing successful working relationships with partners from other agencies
• Experience of managing your own caseload and working autonomously
• Understanding of the health and social care system and where social prescribing fits in
• Working knowledge of safeguarding practices, information sharing and data protection

The ability to communicate fluently in English and another language spoken by Oldham communities eg; Bengali, Bangla Sylheti Bengali or Urdu will be beneficial in this role

If you are looking for a new challenge and enjoy working in a varied role as part of a busy and dynamic team, making positive changes to people and the communities of Oldham, then this could be the role for you.

Salary: NJC scale 19-22 £25,481- £27,041 (pro rata for 18 hours)

Hours: 36 or 18 hours per week

Length of contract; 12 months fixed term (potential to extend dependant on funding)

Location: Oldham - Primary Care Networks

The closing date for applications is 09 December 2020 23:59pm

Job purpose:

This role will work alongside hyh Mediation and Advice and Information service, working with 10-18 year old children and their families, who are affected by mental health and substance misuse problems. The aim is to reduce family conflict and reduce the risk of homelessness by improving health and wellbeing within the family.

Benefits of working for hyh:

• 25 days per annum pro rata increasing by one day a year after 5 years’ service to a maximum of 28 days (in addition to Bank & Public holidays)
• An additional day annual leave to have your birthday off
• Contribution of 5% of basic salary to The People’s Pension on behalf of the staff member
• Group Life Insurance benefit of 4 times salary
• Complete Employee Assisted Programme offering legal advice, financial counselling and up to eight face to face sessions of counselling support for issues affecting mental health
• Monthly draws to win either “lunch on your manager” or a “leave work early” token
• A comprehensive Induction to hyh and your role
• One to one supervision with your line manager every 4-6 weeks
• Ongoing training relevant to your role

HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLE:

If you are interested in applying for this role, please forward your CV along with a covering letter or statement to us.  The covering letter or statement must outline how you feel you meet the person specification criteria on the job description, and it must be a one page document of between 250 to 500 words.  If you have any questions regarding the role or wish to discuss it with us, please contact a member of the team as we will be happy to help.

Job Title: Link Worker – Wellbeing Reablement

Reference: LW-WBR0920

Location: London Borough of Islington

Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Salary: £28,000 per annum

Age UK Islington specialises in Wellbeing services provision. Our expanding range of services is available to all adults and we have an exciting opportunity for two Link Workers - Wellbeing Reablement to join our dynamic team.

Wellbeing Reablement focusses on supporting people to resolve practical issues and problems caused by structural or personal barriers whilst gaining skills and confidence to manage their own wellbeing in the longer term.

This role is well suited to an individual with experience of directly working one-to-one with patients/clients, families and carers, using a strengths-based approach to plan and help people to find resolutions with meaningful long-term support that’s important to them. Based within Islington, you will be working closely with a range of professionals including Social Care, Housing and Health practitioners, alongside other Age UK Islington Wellbeing services.

Your role involves working with people who might be experiencing complex issues, so you will need good listening and communication skills and be able to build effective partnerships with a wide range of organisations and community groups

You will need excellent IT and organisational skills, be able to adapt to changing demands and priorities, be solution focussed, decisive whilst remaining service focussed. For more information see the full job description and Success Profile attached.

To Apply

Please send your completed application, stating how you meet the requirements for this position and ensure you address the Success Profile to us via the button below.

Closing date: 29th November 2020 at 23.59pm

Interview date: TBC

This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check with Adult and Child Barring.

Age UK Islington recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds.

Are you looking for a fresh challenge? Join Harrow Social Prescribing Service, led by local voluntary sector providers in partnership with the Local Authority, Public Health and Primary Care Networks (GPs in Harrow).

Harrow Community Action (HCA) is a voluntary sector consortium established to deliver creative solutions to public service contracts within a robust governance structure.

We currently run three services: An advice & information service, a volunteering support programme and fundraising/capacity-building service for local groups

All our services are delivered by local voluntary organisations for which HCA is the vehicle to bring organisations together.

As a Social Prescribing Link Worker (SPLW), you will be employed by Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow & Brent. You will also be assigned to work closely with a group of GP practices (Primary Care Network). You will be joining the current team of Harrow SPLWs under the umbrella of HCA and you will be supported by an expert Social Prescribing Manager. We will provide full induction and training into this exciting additional role for Harrow Collaborative Network PCN.

We are looking to recruit to the post of SPLW, to work within our Primary Care Network multi-disciplinary healthcare team, providing 1:1 personalised support to people who are referred to them by team members and local agencies.

You will provide 1:1 personalised support to people who are referred to the service which empowers people to take control of their health and well-being by giving time to focus on 'What Matters to Me'. The SPLW will build trusting relationships with people, create a shared personalised care and support plan and connect them to community groups, VCSE organisations and services. They will also work with partners to provide support to community groups and VCSE organisations involved in social prescribing.

This role helps people to work on their wider health and well-being, specifically wider determinants of their health, such as debt, poor housing and physical inactivity, as well as other lifestyle issues and low-level mental health concerns by increasing people's active involvement with their local communities. This approach particularly helps people with long term conditions (including support for mental health), people who are lonely or isolated, or who have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.

You must be a good listener, have time for people and be committed to supporting local communities to care for each other. You should have experience of working positively with people facing complex social and emotional challenges. You will have great interpersonal skills in supporting people, community groups and local organisations.

In the current pandemic situation, SPLWs are operating remotely and client consultations are virtual. However, when the COVID-19 circumstance eases you will be expected to be based in GP practices.

If you think this job is for you; please send your completed application and equality & diversity forms.

Reference ID: SPLWaddHCPCN2020

Application Deadline: 04/12/2020

Interviews: 15th or 16th December 2020

Please note successful candidates should expect to be appointed at the starting point of the salary scale and consideration may be given to a higher salary depending on the experience of the individual.

Fixed term contract until March 2022

Recruiting for 2 positions;

1x North and West Norfolk - Outreach 

1x Norwich and South Norfolk - Outreach

Ref: SWW-201

Are you a positive and resilient individual with experience of working successfully with challenging people, for example those with complex needs or who are reluctant to discuss their needs/ angry and confused?

If so, St Giles Trust is looking for a Support Worker (known internally as Link Worker) to join the team that delivers a vital service that helps vulnerable women in Norfolk affected by issues such as domestic abuse, substance misuse, mental health issues and involvement in the criminal justice system. 

About St Giles Trust

An ambitious, well-established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need. Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first-hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others. 

Commissioned by Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Wonder+ helps vulnerable women who are at risk of involvement in the criminal justice system. Its aim is to deliver a whole system approach and works with women in police custody to help them get the support and services they need to address underlying needs.

About this vital role

Part of the team delivering Wonder+ across Norfolk, you’ll be responsible for providing a holistic assessment and time-effective, whole system support service for women coming into contact with the Criminal Justice System. Your clients will be individuals that are facing various and multiple disadvantages including mental health needs, housing issues, debt. They might have suffered domestic and sexual abuse and/or be at risk of offending or reoffending.  Your challenge will be to tailor the service to meet the needs of the women on your caseload and help divert them away from the Criminal Justice System. You’ll also need to be mindful of, and promote the organisation’s Vision, Mission, Values and strategic aims, at all times.

What we are looking for:

• Eligibility to apply for NPPV3 clearance and an understanding of the issues faced by females involved or at risk of becoming involved in the criminal justice system
• The ability to manage a complex caseload whilst undertaking a consultative and collaborative approach, an understanding of how to provide support, advice and advocacy to vulnerable clients and the ability to communicate this knowledge in a variety of ways
• A proven ability to assess clients’ needs and provide client led support, calculate risk and implement safety procedures when engaging with clients in the community
• An awareness of options for support available for this client group, including welfare and housing rights, anti-social behaviour legislation, health, including mental-health, domestic abuse and sexual violence, risky sexual behaviour, substance misuse
• An appreciation of the value and benefits of delivering a “Making Every Adult Matter” (MEAM) approach when working with clients
• An understanding of rurality issues, must be flexible to travel and willingness to work across the region in isolated communities

In return, you can expect a competitive salary, generous leave allowance, staff pension, flexible working, a mentoring programme, an advice and counselling service, access to clinical supervision, season ticket loan and much more.

St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.

Please note due to the nature of this role, St Giles Trust is seeking only female applications for the role. The role will also require an enhanced DBS check.

For further information, or to apply, please visit our website via the ‘Apply’ button.

Closing date: 11pm, 29th November 2020. Interviews: 2nd December (please note if the lockdown restrictions and social distancing measures are still in place, shortlisted candidates will be interviewed via video conferencing).

Fixed Term, Part Time (4 January - 23 July 2021)

We are looking for highly motivated individuals with a passion for improving literacy outcomes for children and young people in West London.

The West London Zone Literacy Intervention Leads will work 1:1 with children in primary schools to provide the Catch Up literacy programme.

The Literacy Intervention Leads will work with the West London Zone Link Workers already based in school and a specialist Literacy consultant to ensure the best possible support is provided to the children that need it most.

We have 3 x part-time positions available worked either as 2 days a week or 4 afternoons a week

Responsibilities

• To target and deliver the Catch Up Literacy programme and other National Literacy Trust Programmes to improve children’s literacy levels, specifically those at high risk of poor literacy outcomes in Key Stage 2.
• To assess, plan and track children’s progress using the Catch Up Literacy’s measurement tools.
• To work closely with school Literacy Leads to ensure the literacy support delivered is aligned with the schools plans for improving the child’s literacy levels. 
• To work closely with the Literacy Specialist to ensure all Literacy Interventions delivered incorporate best practice and deliver the most impact for children in line with WLZ’s Specialist Support Strategy.
• Ensure all interventions delivered comply with each school’s policy and procedures and all WLZ policy and procedures to include the Safeguarding Framework.
• Work closely with other members of the Delivery team to ensure joined up working and the best possible outcomes for children.

To apply, please send a completed application form which you will also find on West London Zone's website.

Applications received before: 11:30pm on Sunday 6th December 2020 will be considered. Shortlisted candidates will be notified by 5:00pm on Monday 7th December 2020. Interviews to follow on 11th December.

Interviews would either be Face to Face or via video call but will be in line with the most up-to-date government guidance.

Recruiting 2 Support Workers to join our Homelessness and Complex Needs in Southwark!

GBP £22,360 per annum, 40 hours per week, plus 25 days Annual Leave, Pension schemes, Staff discounts, healthcare and more.

Manor Place Hostel and David Barker House, provide supported housing for individuals with a history of homelessness and complex needs. This vary from ex-offending, substance misuse, mental health, domestic violence, etc. Manor place Hostel is a service which accommodates 34 woman with various complex needs including primarily mental health, substance misuse and domestic violence. David baker House accommodates 45 males with various complex needs of support including mainly ex offending, mental health and substance misuse. Both services provide 24/7 support helping customers with their day to day life's skills and supporting them towards independent living. Many of our customers come from a background of homelessness making their trust in the people and professionals very low. The majority of our customers have complex needs and a dual-diagnosis, meaning that they are struggling with more than one of the criteria previously mentioned. The two hostels are based near Southwark and Kennington Station with a workable distance between both.

Job Overview:
To enable and support vulnerable individuals with complex needs to address this while maintaining their tenancy with the long term goal of living in an independent setting by providing flexible and individually tailored support package. Working with excluded and hard to reach customers can be challenging however, with intensive support this challenge can be broken. You will need to be able to engage our customers in a non-judgmental way. You will also be responsible for dealing with emergencies that may arise during your shift whilst remaining calm and using initiative then writing up incident reports amongst other administrative tasks.

As a support worker, you will be working as part of a team as well as with external agencies such as London Probation Service, local substance misuse services, Mental health teams, and police amongst others. Sometimes customers may not be linked in with agencies when they entre the service, as a support worker it is part of your role to ensure they are receiving the correct support from agencies required. Ideally, you will have experience of working with vulnerable people or an understanding of the needs of homelessness. You will be required to support customers with managing their arrears; ensuring housing benefit is applied for as well as monitoring payments and acting appropriately if payments are suspended in order to ensure customer does not fall into any arrears.

You will be responsible for supporting the working shift pattern of the service which is a five week rolling rota which consists of working some weekends as well as long days.

Key Responsibilities:
- Undertake key-working responsibilities for a caseload assigned by the Team Leader/ Manager
- Undertake initial and continuous assessment of needs and potential risks and agree levels of support and actions
- Create support/action plans for providing appropriate services based on the assessment and reflecting the services and resources available
- Support customers to undertake all domestic tasks wherever possible, including practical assistance where they have not yet developed the skills, to ensure customers enjoy a high quality of accommodation
- Develop and maintain links with all key agencies and service providers in the local community
- Empower customers to ensure they receive the service and benefits they are entitled to
- Undertake all administrative work and keep accurate and comprehensive tenant/customer records to professional standards
- Encourage and enable tenants to pay their rent and to ensure that rent accounts are managed effectively in conjunction with the Housing Management team
- Ensure that referrals are chased proactively so that properties which can be used to house those in need are filled as efficiently as possible
- Adhere to Look Ahead's Policies and Procedures
- Engage in learning and development activity to increase knowledge and skills
- Undertake any other duties consistent with the grade and nature of the post as may be reasonably assigned

Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

Essential:
- Up to NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent or experience in the social care/charity sector

Desirable:
- Experience working in homelessness

For the full job description, please visit the Look Ahead website.

OASIS SESSIONAL YOUTH WORKER (FEMALE*)

Based at London Waterloo, SE1

Part-Time, 3 hours per week (Thursday), 1 Year Fixed Term Contract

Salary £1,785 per annum (£11.44 per hour including London Weighting)

Want a rewarding job?

Want a life changing experience?

Want to make a difference in your community?

Oasis Hub Waterloo in central London are looking for a dynamic and experienced Sessional Youth Worker for Hub Youth projects.

This is a part-time role for a year, and we would need you to commit to the following:

• 3 hours per week (term time only)
• 6-9pm Thursdays
• 1 year contract

You will be well supported by a team of youth work professionals.  We are looking for passion, creativity, commitment, fun, positive role modelling, love and hope.  If you have any relevant qualifications or certificates (e.g. Youth Work, Food Hygiene, Football Coaching) or just a passion to get involved with the young people in the community, this is a great opportunity to get some work experience and leadership skills.

*This role has an occupational requirement for applicants to be female. This is due to the majority of one-to-one work being with female young people, many of whom are deemed as at-risk and vulnerable.

We actively encourage applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and minority and underrepresented groups.

This is a rolling recruitment campaign and interviews will take place as applications are submitted, so please submit your application at your earliest convenience.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks.

Oasis supports Equal Opportunities.  Registered Charity No. 1026487

Location: Greater London.

Salary:

Qualified applicants (with an accredited VAWG /domestic abuse qualification) dependent on experience: £26,000 – £29,000 per annum.

Unqualified applicants, dependent on experience: £26,000- £27,000 per annum

Hours: Both full time (37.5 hours per week) & part time hours will be considered

Contract: Permanent

Vacancy Reference: SWA3013

Closing Date: 7th December 2020 noon

Interview Date: 16th December 2020

Solace Women’s Aid is an innovative, exciting, grassroots charity working across London. Our purpose is to bring to an end the harm done through domestic and sexual violence to all survivors, and in particular women and children. Our work is holistic and empowering, working alongside survivors to achieve independent lives free from abuse.

You will be joining a team of committed and inspiring individuals whose dedication has saved the lives of thousands of women, men and children in the capital. We are looking for friendly and diligent individuals to join our services and help us make a difference.

About the Service

Our Crisis Intervention Team provide front-line support to Solace’s Advice, Community and Accommodation-based Services across London. Crisis Intervention Workers enable our services to deliver a consistent, high standard of service. 

The team was created in order to have trained, skilled staff ready to cover gaps in service and facilitate the continued smooth running of services, proactively supporting women and children who have experienced domestic abuse.

About the Role

As a member of the Crisis Intervention Team, you will cover vacancies in a variety of roles, providing a high quality support service to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. This role is an excellent development opportunity which will allow you to gain experience in a wide range of services. 

The length of a placement within a service can range from several weeks to a few months. You will receive a local induction to the service at the start of the placement.  Please note you will have to travel for this role to a variety of sites over London.

For all roles, you will carry out risk and needs assessments, safety planning, and individual support planning with survivors as well as advocating on  behalf of service users with external agencies, implementing the empowerment model and a strength based approach.  All work should be service user led and trauma informed.

Within Community Services, you will typically fill roles as a Caseworker or IDVA. As a Caseworker you will provide user led one to one support. As an IDVA you will also contribute to the local MARAC process to improve survivor safety.

Within Accommodation Services you will typically fill the role of Refuge Worker. You will ensure the smooth running of the refuge, including the admission of survivors of domestic violence to the refuge. 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.

As a member of the Advice Service you will provide an effective and efficient advice and casework service to women affected by VAWG. The responsibilities include working on the advice line on a rota-basis and providing accurate advice, support, advocacy and casework to women and girls affected by all forms of VAWG as well as professionals. The role also includes supporting and supervising our volunteers on the line. Ensuring the duty inbox is checked and the referrals are processed.

About You

If you demonstrate commitment, innovation, passion, non-judgemental and collaboration, you’ll thrive in our diverse feminist team of professional women. 

Ideal candidates will have:

• Sound understanding of practical, emotional, social and economic issues affecting survivors of domestic and sexual abuse.

• In-depth knowledge and confidentially advising on a range of options including safe housing, criminal justice, civil remedies

• Demonstratable knowledge of adult and children safeguarding

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to thrive on working under pressure, prioritising workload and crisis management

• Sensitive and non-judgemental approach when working with vulnerable clients

• Experience in risk assessment, management and safety planning

• CAADA/Safe Lives/Women’s Aid IDVA or DAPA qualified (Desirable), or willingness to study.

In return, we offer great employee benefits including three per cent employer pension contribution, generous holiday entitlement and a focus on learning and development.

Due to the nature of this role, an enhanced DBS will be required.

Duties and Responsibilities

Development & Support work:

• To provide emotional and practical support to women accessing helpline
• To participate in a rota of helpline cover and model and promote good practice in taking helpline calls
• To support helpline volunteers and students in delivering helpline
• To participate in a rota to cover at BSWA offices and across community venues as necessary
• To facilitate access for women to statutory, community and other BSWA services
• To comply with the recording, monitoring and evaluation procedures of the project
• To develop policies and practice guidelines appropriate to the project in accordance with BSWA policies and procedures
• To keep up to date with current legislative changes for dissemination within the staff team, and for use when working with women and children around their rights.
• To identify and make links with existing projects and community services and to develop joint services where appropriate
• To keep abreast of issues regarding violence against women on a national and local level
• To participate in multi agency work as agreed with your line manager
• To identify and attend training and conferences relevant to the post, in agreement with your line manager
• To work alongside colleagues to organise in-house training and information sessions on a range of issues for service users
• To promote awareness of the impact of domestic violence on women and children and BSWA services

Administration:

• To work within BSWA’s administrative and financial systems
• To ensure that adequate records are kept for all service users
• To ensure that Health and Safety records are kept up to date
• To produce monthly reports for your line manager

Communication:

• To ensure that all staff team members are aware of any matters that are relevant to the welfare and security of the refuges, staff, volunteers and service users by:

1. Maintaining BSWA communication records
2. Following safety procedures
3. Attending team meetings
4. Carrying out risk assessments in conjunction with your line manager

• To attend in-house training
• To attend support and supervision sessions with your line manager
• To develop a professional working relationship with external agencies
• Feedback relevant issues from external meetings/ training to the staff and management teams as appropriate
• To be involved in the Annual Review process

General:

• To maintain the confidentiality of the women and children using the service

• To maintain confidentiality in all matters relating to the organisation

• To offer an equal service to all women and children regardless of age, class, culture, language, race, religion and sexual orientation

• To ensure the efficient use of resources at all times

• To work within BSWA policies and procedures and demonstrate a commitment to the values and ethos of BSWA
• To work within BSWA’s framework for equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice
• To participate in the development and annual appraisal of a personal individual development plan with the line manager
• To undertake any other duties required by BSWA, which may arise and commensurate with the post