Support worker jobs in Dunstable, central bedfordshire

The purpose of Aylesbury Women’s Aid

‘To exist for the benefit of all women and their children who have /or are experiencing physical, mental financial or sexual abuse in their relationships and to offer support, information, advice, access to temporary accommodation and aftercare’.

Job Summary

To support the aims and principles of Aylesbury Women’s Aid including empowering and supporting women and their children in making their own decisions and taking control of their own lives and to meet the practical and emotional needs of the women who live in the refuge through support, advocacy and advice.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. To help women settle into the refuge and create situations where women can be supported, share their experiences and explore the choices open to them. 

2. Taking key-worker responsibility for 3 women by:

· Following all interview and admittance procedures with each resident interview

· Developing a Support and Action Plan with each resident

· Developing a Risk Assessment Management Plan when necessary

· Continuing to support key clients by regularly reviewing Support and Risk Assessment Plans.

· Offering some general support on a day-to-day basis.

· To continually update in-house data base.

3. To support and respond to the needs of the residents by:

· Providing legal, housing and welfare rights advice

· Providing advocacy and liaison with other agencies such as housing departments, solicitors, courts, social services etc.

· Providing information about local agencies and community resources

· Supporting residents to register and make claims for benefits or other rights.

· Ensuring that residents pay their rent and service charges

4. To take referrals from local women and find refuge space for women who need to move from the area and make referrals when appropriate.

5. To work within child protection requirements and procedures to ensure that children safeguarded and their welfare promoted whilst also supporting and meeting the needs of women.

6. To provide support and assistance to women moving on to new accommodation including:

· Ensuring all relevant forms are completed and giving advice on grants and second hand-furnishings. 

· Providing transport when necessary.

· Assisting with initial household problems.

· Establishing any further needs and offering continued support.

7. To participate in creating an atmosphere in the refuge which will enable families to live together by encouraging women and children to respect each other and by attending and participating in regular house meetings.

8. To carry out extra agreed tasks to ensure the smooth running of the refuge which could include:

• Updating Routes to Support
• Attending and taking notes for house meetings
• Collecting, distributing and recording post
• Emergency First Aider for the refuge
• Ensuring that the First Aid Box is correctly and adequately stocked
• Facilitating Freedom Programme in the refuge
• Keeping bed space books up to date
• Recording incoming payments

9. To liaise with relevant local agencies and community groups to ensure productive and collaborative working and attend relevant meetings as required.

10.  To keep monitoring and statistical information to enable the evaluation of the effectiveness of the service and to produce reports as required.

11. To raise awareness of the issues of domestic abuse and its effect on children through

direct service provision and promote Aylesbury Women’s Aid where appropriate. 

12. To work flexibly between the hours of 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 1pm

weekends and Bank Holidays as agreed with your manager.

13.  To follow procedures and protocols with other services so that the safety of the woman and any children involved are kept central to any process and ensuring that other relevant agencies are kept informed about important changes in the client’s situation.

14. To participate in the On-Call Service rota.

15. To answer enquiries through the Single Point of Access service in accordance with the requirements for that service.

16. To maintain effective communication with co-workers and participate in relevant meetings, supervision and internal/external training.

17. To cooperate with management, support and carry out all management policies and decisions, and contribute to a positive and mutually encouraging atmosphere in the workplace.

18. To ensure that all health and safety regulations, policies and procedures are complied with.

19. To give support during busy periods or staff shortages to other workers when necessary, including assisting other services in the organisation.

20. To support and implement all policies and procedures of Aylesbury Women’s Aid.

21. To take all possible steps to ensure the safety and confidentiality of the clients, staff and

Management of Aylesbury Women’s Aid, the safety of third parties visiting AWA premises and the confidentiality of information provided by all parties to the extent legally required.

22. To undertake any other duties from time to time. These may vary but will be in line with the responsibilities of the post and may include:

· Cleaning and preparing rooms for new residents

· Collecting and distributing donations of clothes, presents and household equipment etc.

The duties of the post may vary from time to time without altering its overall nature.