Domestic Abuse Support Worker

GreenSquareAccord; Walsall; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual holiday entitlement

Pension scheme

EAP and wellbeing support

Cycle to work scheme

DBS check on offer

Job summary

GreenSquareAccord is seeking a Domestic Abuse Support Worker to join our Accommodation Support Team in Walsall. You will help women and children who have fled domestic abuse access safe housing and ongoing support, using a person-centred approach.

You will carry out risk assessments, assist with tenancy obligations and provide practical guidance on housing, welfare and personal safety. A car is essential to fulfil the role and you’ll work with a range of partner agencies to coordinate care.

Qualifications

• Experience providing housing-related support and/or working with victims of domestic abuse.
• Strong understanding of domestic abuse services and its impact on women, children and families.
• Ability to manage complex cases and prioritise a demanding workload.
• Good knowledge of confidentiality, data protection and professional boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Support women and children accessing safe domestic abuse accommodation.
• Complete risk assessments and identify appropriate support and interventions.
• Help families maintain tenancy and understand house rules and responsibilities.
• Provide advice, guidance and practical support around domestic abuse, housing, welfare reform and finances.
• Liaise with Police, Courts, solicitors, housing services and social care to coordinate support.

Skills

Housing-related support

Communication skills

IT skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook)

Driving licence

Empathy and resilience

Education

Diploma in Social Work

IDVA training (advantageous)

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Help families rebuild their lives after domestic abuse

Are you passionate about supporting women, children and families to feel safe, regain control of their lives and move towards independent living?

Do you have experience supporting people affected by domestic abuse, housing challenges or other complex circumstances?

We`re looking for a Domestic Abuse Support Worker to join our specialist Domestic Abuse Accommodation Support Team in Walsall.

Salary - £13.66 per hour

Hours - 21 hours per week

You`ll play an important role in supporting women and children who have fled domestic abuse and are living in refuge or dispersed accommodation. Using a person-centred and strengths-based approach, you`ll help families access support they need, maintain their accommodation and build the confidence and skills needed for a safe and independent future.

About the role

Every family`s circumstances are different. You`ll work alongside them to understand their needs, identify risks and provide practical, emotional and specialist support.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting women and children accessing safe domestic abuse accommodation.
• Completing comprehensive risk assessments and identifying appropriate support and interventions.
• Helping families maintain their tenancy and understand their responsibilities, including tenancy agreements and house rules.
• Supporting service users to make informed choices and regain control of their lives.
• Providing advice, guidance and practical support around domestic abuse, sexual violence, personal safety, housing, welfare reform, finances and mental wellbeing.
• Identifying and responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns involving children and adults.
• Advocating for and supporting service users when working with Police, Courts, solicitors, housing services, social care, health services and other agencies.
• Working closely with colleagues, particularly the Housing Officer and Service Coordinator, to ensure families receive coordinated support.
• Working collaboratively with external agencies to identify and address the wider needs of families.
• Maintaining accurate, confidential and timely case records and monitoring information.
• Supporting the effective running of refuge and dispersed accommodation, including reporting repairs and helping to minimise void periods.
• Participating in an on-call system when required.
• Contributing to team meetings, supervision, training and service development.

You`ll also have the opportunity to undertake Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) training, helping you to develop your specialist knowledge and further your career in domestic abuse support.

About you

We`re looking for someone who is compassionate, resilient and confident working with people who may be experiencing complex and challenging circumstances.

You`ll be able to build trusting relationships while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries, and you`ll understand the importance of empowering people to make their own choices.

Ideally, you`ll have:

• Experience providing housing-related support and/or working with victims of domestic abuse.
• An understanding of domestic abuse services and the impact of abuse on women, children and families.
• Experience responding to difficult situations and emergencies without immediate supervision.
• Experience working with external agencies and within a multi-agency environment.
• The ability to manage complex cases and prioritise a demanding workload.
• An understanding of safeguarding children and adults, including relevant thresholds and processes.
• Good knowledge of confidentiality, data protection and professional boundaries.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to maintain clear, accurate records.
• A proactive approach, with the initiative and confidence to make appropriate decisions.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity and anti-oppressive practice.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook to an intermediate level.

A qualification or experience in IDVA work would be advantageous, as would a Diploma in Social Work or similar qualification, housing management experience, knowledge of housing law and welfare benefits, and knowledge of local services.

A car user is essential for this role.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to do work that genuinely matters.

You`ll be supporting women and children at a critical point in their lives ?" helping them find safety, maintain a secure home and take steps towards a more independent future.

You`ll be part of a supportive specialist team and work closely with a wide range of partner agencies across Walsall. Through supervision, training and development opportunities, including the opportunity to undertake IDVA training, we`ll support you to build your expertise and make a lasting difference.

If you`re empathetic, proactive and committed to helping families affected by domestic abuse move forward, we`d love to hear from you.

Join us and help create safer futures for women, children and families.

Please note that if you are successful in this role, we will require a DBS check to be completed. Further details will be sent following offer.

Benefits

In support and recognition of our colleagues who will help us deliver our employer strategy, we offer a fantastic benefits package. This includes.

• Trust based flexible working and supportive and friendly teams
• 25 days annual holiday entitlement, increasing to 30 days
• One day off for your birthday
• Opportunity to buy or sell annual leave
• A defined contribution pension scheme GSA matches up to 6% contributions
• We offer a service which provides 24/7 online GP appointments, second medical opinions, health checks, mental health support, 24/7 medical health helpline, wellbeing app, nutrition advice and fitness plans and legal and financial support.
• Access to Blue Light discount card membership
• Confidential Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Cycle to work Scheme
• Eligible for occupational sick pay