ABOUT INQUEST
Founded in 1981, INQUEST is the only charity providing expertise on state related deaths and their investigation to bereaved people, lawyers, advice and support agencies, the media and parliamentarians
Our specialist casework includes deaths in police and prison custody, immigration detention, mental health settings and deaths involving multi-agency failings or where wider issues of state and corporate accountability are in question, such as with Hillsborough and Grenfell.
INQUEST has a collaborative and integrated model of working, with opportunities for staff to engage in a range of work. We are a small organisation with a fast paced and engaging working environment. You can find more information on our website, particularly on our About Us, Campaigns, and Media Release webpages.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Casework Team provide specialist casework advice and support to bereaved families and individuals following a contentious death in custody and detention settings or through multi agency failings, requiring an inquest. You will be working alongside an experienced Casework Team, led by two Senior Caseworkers. You will have close contact with the Family Engagement Coordinator and with the Policy and Communications team.
The purpose of the role is to provide specialist advice to bereaved families facing an investigation and inquest process into a state related death; advising on the process immediately following a death, secure legal representation for families through the INQUEST Lawyers Group; liaise with external organisations, including lawyers, coroners and public bodies such as the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman and the Independent Office for Police Conduct, work alongside the Communications Team on media engagement; and identify key cases and issues arising as part of INQUEST’s policy and campaigns work.
The successful candidate will have experience of casework and advice provision, preferably in inquest law and related investigations. They will be expected to identify themes and trends arising from cases and contribute to the organisations strategic work. In addition, they will be required to organise stakeholder meetings and represent INQUEST at external meetings.
They will possess outstanding communication and organisation skills, will enjoy working in a very fast paced environment, and will adhere to INQUEST’s values and commitment to social justice, as well as our commitment to tackling racism and discrimination.
INQUEST works with families from all sections of the community, including many families from Black, racialised and other underrepresented communities. We believe our staff team should reflect the makeup of the families we work with, and therefore actively encourage applications from people from these communities
Job Title: Refuge Worker
Location: Lambeth, London
Salary: £28,857.12 per annum (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement)
Contract type: Full Time, Permanent
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Refuge Worker – Supporting Survivors of Domestic Abuse
We are looking for a Refuge Worker to work within our culturally specific refuge to provide specialist, high-quality support to women and children escaping domestic abuse. Based in Lambeth, London, this role involves delivering practical and emotional support to survivors, ensuring their safety, and helping them rebuild their lives. Working 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, you will create a safe and welcoming environment in line with Refuge’s values and commitment to ending violence against women and girls.
As a Refuge Worker, you will support women through crisis, providing keywork sessions, safety planning, and advocacy. You will assist with accessing housing, welfare, legal support, and other essential services while maintaining accurate case records. You will also play a vital role in ensuring the effective operation of the refuge, managing referrals, and working collaboratively with partner agencies. The ideal candidate will be a compassionate and resilient individual with strong communication and organisational skills. While experience in the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) sector is beneficial, we also welcome applications from those with transferable skills and a commitment to supporting survivors. Above all, we value individuals who are dedicated to making a difference, thrive in an inclusive environment, and are committed to their own personal development while supporting others.
This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause while developing valuable frontline support and advocacy experience. Refuge offers ongoing training, professional development, and a comprehensive benefits package, ensuring that our staff are valued and supported in their roles. If you are passionate about empowering survivors and want to be part of a dedicated, compassionate organisation, we encourage you to apply.
As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call Rota.
Please note that 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: 09:00am 5 June 2025
Interview Date: 10 June 2025
Refuge is the UK’s largest provider of specialist services, and we are proud to be a leader in our field and an employer of choice, with leading edge systems for supervision, quality management and development.
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.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.