Refuge Support Worker

I am recruiting several CARING and PASSIONATE Refuge Support Workers on behalf of a fantastic service in the Cardiff City area.

I am keen to speak with candidates who are dynamic, inquisitive, have a passion for rights, diversity and inclusion and want to fight alongside those who may not have a voice.

You will be supporting women by providing them with an individually tailored support package. There is a need to work flexibly Monday to Friday between and also take part in an on-call service.

This position is open to women only under the Equality Act 2010 pursuant to Schedule 9, Part 1. It is also subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

• Salary: 24,800
• Hours: 35 Hours per week (Monday to Friday)
• Contract: Permanent
• Shifts: Flexible Monday to Friday
• Location: Cardiff

Benefits of the Domestic Abuse Caseworker role:

• Generous Annual Leave Package Totalling 33 Days (Inclusive of Bank Holidays)
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Program - That Supports Your Health and Well-being at Home and at Work
• Flexi Working
• Paid Company Sick Pay & Emergency Dependent Leave
• Living Wage Employer
• Bike to work scheme, among other benefits.

As a Support Assistant, you will be responsible for the following:

• Identify and assess the risks and needs of service users a specialist intervention toolkit.
• Prioritise cases and provide a pro-active, short to medium term crisis intervention service through individual safety, support and recovery planning.
• Work with a caseload of diverse risk and need to ensure all women and children are supported through their journey
• Advocate for service users with agencies who can help to address the domestic abuse
• Deliver specialist support services to women and children who are accessing accommodation services.
• Support women and children to undertake and engage in initial and on-going needs assessments, risk assessments, safety plans and support plans.
• Support, signpost and refer women and children to the services they wish to engage with for example social services, the police, parenting, health, legal, DWP, housing, homelessness, recreational, educational and cultural services and also other services.
• Manage a case load ensuring each client receives the trauma-informed, needs led, risk assessed service tailored to their individual needs.
• Support the empowerment of the client and assist them in recognising the features and dynamics of domestic abuse present in their situation and help them regain control of their lives.
• Understand multi-agency partnership structures and work within a multi-agency setting. You will contribute interventions and help design a plan to protect victims and any children, while maintaining an independent role on behalf of your client keeping their safety as central to any response.
• Ensure accurate and timely records are maintained in relation to all aspects of the service and case work, including inputting information into databases
• Assist in producing qualitative and quantitative data, including for example, the creation of case studies.
• Support women and children to have a voice within the organisation and the sector, by for example, encouraging them to complete surveys, give feedback and attend associated events.
• Support women to maintain licence agreement and help them prepare for moving on to independent living.
• In accordance with the organisation's case management policy
• Help maintain accurate and confidential case management records and databases and contribute to monitoring information for the service.
• Comply with GDPR/data protection legislation, confidentiality and information sharing policy and procedures and all legislation connected to your work.
• Support colleagues and partner agencies, through awareness raising and institutional advocacy, in order to provide the best possible service for service users.
• Respect and value the diversity of the community in which the services work, and recognise the needs and concerns of a diverse range of clients ensuring the service is accessible to all.
• Remain up-to-date and compliant with all organisational procedures, policies and professional codes of conduct and uphold standards of best practice.

Requirements:

• Hold a SafeLives IDVA training certificate, or a relevant degree, or demonstrable equivalent experience or a vocational qualification.
• Driving licence and access to own vehicle is essential
• Have an understanding of domestic violence and abuse, including the impact on victims and their children
• Understand child protection issues and how to effectively safeguard
• Experience in engaging with external agencies
• Have strong crisis management skills
• Excellent IT and communication skills
• Ability to provide practical and emotional support
• Ability to manage own workload
• Ability to work alone and as part of a team

If you want to make a real difference in lives click APPLY now!