Domestic Abuse Refuge Project Worker (Female)

Belmont Recruitment; Winchester; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Belmont Recruitment is seeking a compassionate Female Domestic Abuse Refuge Project Worker to join a specialist domestic abuse service in Winchester. You will provide high-quality support to women and their children living in refuge, delivering practical, emotional and advocacy support in a trauma-informed environment.

This role combines refuge-based support and resettlement work, helping survivors move into safe, long-term accommodation.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting vulnerable individuals under stress.
• Experience advocating on behalf of vulnerable people.
• Experience facilitating group work and structured support sessions.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection.
• Knowledge of housing, legal and benefits systems affecting survivors.
• Ability to manage a caseload independently.
• Excellent communication and crisis management skills.
• Strong organisational and record-keeping abilities.
• Commitment to anti-oppressive practice and equality.
• Clean driving licence and access to a vehicle (with business insurance).

Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one support, advocacy and safety planning to women living in refuge.
• Support women to understand their options around housing, legal remedies, benefits, health and finance
• Deliver parenting and family support, promoting healthy mother/child relationships.
• Facilitate group work, drop-ins and structured support programmes.
• Support children and young people to access and maintain education.
• Assist with court, Jobcentre and local authority appointments (including occasional police-escorted property visits).
• Develop and review individual support and safety plans.
• Provide resettlement support to enable women to move on safely from refuge.

Skills

Support vulnerable individuals

Advocacy

Group work facilitation

Safeguarding

Housing/legal/benefits knowledge

Caseload management

Communication

Crisis management

Organisation/Record-keeping

Anti-oppressive practice

Driving licence

Job description

Belmont Recruitment are currently looking to speak with Female Domestic Abuse Refuge Project Workers for a permanent position in the Winchester area of Hampshire, for a full time position.

Salary; £25,750-£26,383

Location; Winchester

This post is open to female applicants only under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010 (genuine occupational requirement).

About the Role

We are recruiting for a Female Domestic Abuse Refuge Project Worker to join a specialist domestic abuse service based in Winchester. This is a rewarding and varied role providing high-quality support to women and their children residing in refuge accommodation after fleeing domestic abuse. You will work within a trauma-informed environment, delivering practical, emotional and advocacy support to empower survivors to rebuild their lives safely and independently. The role includes both refuge-based support and resettlement work, helping women transition into safe, long-term accommodation.

Key Responsibilities

Supporting Women and Families

• Provide one-to-one support, advocacy and safety planning to women living in refuge
• Support women to understand their options around housing, legal remedies, benefits, health and finance
• Deliver parenting and family support, promoting healthy mother/child relationships
• Facilitate group work, drop-ins and structured support programmes
• Support children and young people to access and maintain education
• Assist with court, Jobcentre and local authority appointments (including occasional police-escorted property visits)
• Develop and review individual support and safety plans
• Provide resettlement support to enable women to move on safely from refuge

Refuge Management & Operations

• Contribute to the smooth day-to-day running of the refuge
• Ensure health & safety standards are maintained within the buildingSupport residents to maintain communal areas and prepare rooms for new arrivals
• Assist with housing benefit applications, licence agreements and rent collection
• Maintain accurate and confidential case records

Multi-Agency & Partnership Working

• Work closely with social care, housing, police, health, education and voluntary agencies
• Participate in MARAC and other multi-agency forums where required
• Advocate on behalf of clients to ensure coordinated safety planning
• Promote awareness of domestic abuse and available support within the

About You

We are looking for a compassionate, resilient and proactive individual who is passionate about supporting survivors of domestic abuse.

Essential:

• Experience supporting vulnerable individuals under stress
• Experience advocating on behalf of vulnerable people
• Experience facilitating group work and structured support sessions
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection
• Knowledge of housing, legal and benefits systems affecting survivors
• Ability to manage a caseload independently
• Excellent communication and crisis management skills
• Strong organisational and record-keeping abilities
• Commitment to anti-oppressive practice and equality
• Clean driving licence and access to a vehicle (with business insurance)

Desirable:

• Experience developing services for survivors of domestic abuse
• Further education qualification or relevant professional training
• Knowledge of local domestic abuse support pathways

This role requires a strong commitment to confidentiality, safeguarding and professional boundaries. The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.