Domestic Abuse Support Worker

Omagh Women's Aid; Omagh; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A community support organization seeks a Professional Support Worker in Omagh. The role involves providing assistance to women and children affected by domestic abuse, including risk assessment and support planning. Candidates should have a relevant degree, experience in community support roles, and a strong commitment to women's issues. Knowledge of domestic abuse legislation and ability to maintain professional boundaries are essential for this position.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and maths at Grade C or above.
• 6 months paid previous experience in a supportive community role.
• Knowledge and commitment to women’s issues related to domestic abuse.

Responsibilities

• Provide community-based support for women experiencing domestic abuse.
• Carry a caseload and assist in developing support plans.
• Maintain case records and collaborate with service providers.

Skills

Sound educational background

Ability to maintain professional boundaries

Effective interpersonal and communication skills

Proven ability to give practical and emotional support

Education

3rd Level degree in related discipline

QCF Level 3 Health & Social Care or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Job description

To provide a high quality, client‑led support service in the community to women and their children who have experienced domestic violence enabling them to increase their safety and make positive choices for their future.

Responsibilities

• Primarily provide a community based, floating support, information and advocacy service for women who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse.
• To carry a caseload and work directly with service users in a manner that develops and promotes positive, empowered, person centred relationships and working in partnership with accommodation and other service providers to meet outcomes
• To support women to identify and assess risks, needs, and develop an outcomes-focused support plan with each individual woman to contain agreed objectives, timescales, and review periods.
• To assist women in ensuring their own safety, maintaining their independence, managing their tenancies, and preventing homelessness.
• Establish and maintain good inter‑agency working relationships with statutory agencies, including Social Services, PSNI, NIHE and community and voluntary sector agencies.
• Offer on‑going support and accompaniment as relevant to women regarding courts, solicitors etc.
• Refer women to the range of services provided by Omagh Women’s Aid as required.
• Raise awareness within the local community of the needs of women and children experiencing domestic and sexual abuse and the work of Omagh Women’s Aid.
• To participate in the on‑call rota (Additional payment applicable)
• To promote the best interests of the women, children and young people who use our services at all times.
• Encourage and maintain the ‘self‑help’ standards of Women’s Aid.
• Respect the confidentiality of all information received as a result of the post holder’s duties.
• To work with basic computer packages for example, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, e‑mail, the internet and cloud‑based case management systems e.g., OASIS.
• To participate in raising awareness within the local community of the needs of women and children experiencing domestic abuse and the work of Omagh Women’s Aid.
• To undertake and contribute towards the effective recording, reporting, monitoring and evaluation of your work and routinely maintain up‑to‑date service user case files in line with the Case Recording, Confidentiality and Data Protection Policies.
• To accurately maintain client case files using the recording and monitoring systems in place.
• To provide verbal/written reports and case studies when required.
• To participate in the preparation and submission of monthly, quarterly and annual reports to Management and funders.
• To work as an effective and supportive member of the floating support team and contribute towards effective working relationships through collaborative working and discussion.
• To respect the roles and responsibilities of all members of the team.
• To participate in team meetings, training courses, supervision as required. Ensure that duties and administrative procedures are adhered to swiftly and efficiently in the best interest of effective teamwork.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively and ethically with colleagues, stakeholders, and external agencies. To perform any other reasonable tasks as may from time to time be determined by the line manager.
• To participate in an effective and continuous professional development process, taking responsibility to prepare for personal supervision/appraisal and undertake identified training and learning opportunities.
• To be aware of your own training needs and to attend relevant training courses as agreed by Manager.
• To adhere to health and safety procedures in the workplace and ensure personal safety. Safeguard the interests and safety of colleagues, service users and visitors
• To ensure timely risk assessments are carried out, documented and recommendations implemented when appropriate.
• To ensure commitment to the Ethos, Core Aims and Objectives of Omagh Women’s Aid. To work within the Omagh Women’s Aid Code of Professional Conduct.
• To ensure that a high standard of support for women and children accessing Omagh Women’s Aid Services is maintained.
• Adhere to regional and Omagh Women’s Aid policies and procedures including Data Protection, Safeguarding Children Policy and Adults at Risk Policy and procedural guidelines.
• Any other duties as may be specified by the Manager/Omagh Women’s Aid Management Committee

Skills and Qualifications

• Sound educational background GCSE English and maths at Grade C or above or equivalent. QCF Level 3 Health & Social Care or equivalent (NVQ Level 3 etc) or a recognised counselling qualification.
• Previous experience of working with community groups and both statutory and voluntary sector agencies. 6 months paid previous experience of working in a supportive role within a community‑based environment or residential setting
• Experience of using Microsoft Office e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook
• Knowledge and commitment to women’s issues particularly in relation to domestic abuse.
• Knowledge of the legislation and policies relating to, domestic abuse, safeguarding vulnerable adults and children, risk management, health & safety.
• Awareness and understanding of the causes and effects of Domestic Abuse.
• Knowledge of the legislation frameworks, policies, and practice regarding domestic abuse.
• An understanding of the work of: Women’s Aid’s aims and objectives. Relevant organisations and their role in providing support to those living in the community.
• Ability to plan and organise work, to achieve targets, meet deadlines and to work on own initiative. Ability to present written and verbal information clearly, accurately and to a standard appropriate for external presentation.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and adhere to all organisational policies and procedures. Effective interpersonal and communication skills. Proven networking skills.
• Proven ability to give practical and emotional support and guidance within an ethos of empowerment. IT skills and experience of record keeping with excel, word and database.
• Respect the rights and responsibilities of others. Commitment to the needs and issues of women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse. Have a sound value base of practice. To have an approachable and non‑judgemental manner.
• Commitment to the provision of high quality, personally tailored support to empower and enable women. Positive, self‑motivated and assertive professional individual who can work independently and with a diverse team.
• Car driver with access to a car. Ability to participate in out of hours On Call Rota Flexible and responsive to project needs including evening and weekend work.
• 3rd Level degree in related discipline. ICT qualification. Training in Domestic Abuse Awareness.
• Experience of working with women and children affected by Domestic Abuse or of working with individuals in crisis. Experience of working within the homeless sector. Experience of risk and needs assessment processes.
• Knowledge of welfare and housing rights.

Further Information

Due to the nature of the post, which involves working with children and vulnerable adults the candidate will be vetted.

Application Information

To apply email: [e-mail]