Stepping Stones Domestic & Sexual Abuse Support Worker

North Down & Ards Women's Aid; Bangor; Hybrid; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

North Down and Ards Women’s Aid is seeking a Stepping Stones Domestic and Sexual Abuse Support Worker in Bangor. The role involves trauma-informed frontline support for women, children and young people affected by domestic and sexual abuse, tailoring support plans to individual needs in the Ards & North Down area.

Hours are 30 per week with occasional evenings, weekends and bank holidays. Salary is £21,808.80 per annum, with 25 days annual leave pro rata plus public holidays, and a pension

Qualifications

• GCSE (or equivalent) standard of education.
• Level 3 Health & Social Care or equivalent (NVQ Level 3 etc) or a recognised counselling qualification.
• OR Minimum 3 years’ paid experience in the past 5 years of providing a support service to people at a point of crisis, including crisis intervention, assessment of risk, safety planning, multi-agency advocacy, support, and information.

Responsibilities

• The project will be for women who are leaving our refuge accommodation and women who are exiting our floating support in the community service. The Stepping Stones Domestic & Sexual Abuse Support Worker will tailor each support plan to meet the specific needs of each individual woman and her family and to ensure that the services received are culturally sensitive, and trauma informed.
• Help women rebuild their lives, regain their confidence, and develop the skills they need to thrive independently.
• Provide comprehensive support help to prevent future abuse and create a safer environment for the next generation.
• Provide support to women, children and young people through the court process,
• Manage a caseload, working with women to reduce risk, improve safety, and build healthier / safer relationships.
• Organise scheduled, weekly one-to-one meetings to develop a mutually agreed-upon support pathway.
• Support the empowerment of women (within the self-help ethos of North Down and Ards Women’s Aid), enabling them to recognise domestic and sexual abuse within their situation and regain control of their lives.
• To deliver trauma-informed and therapeutic interventions to women experiencing domestic abuse.
• Establish and maintain links with key agency partners and participate in multi-agency forums/partnership meetings
• Signpost women on to other agencies, creating opportunities for the whole family to connect with others and build supportive relationships.
• Advocate on behalf of women with statutory and voluntary agencies, including housing, job & benefits, social services, healthcare, education, police and legal support.
• Consult with women and incorporate their views and experiences within service development.
• Organise and facilitate Service User Engagement and Focus groups when required.
• Ensure all work is carried out to North Down and Ards Women’s Aid standards and delivered to maximise agreed outcomes.
• Administration – keeping records up to date, including completing all necessary forms, NIHE forms, key allocation records, and updating women’s records
• To assist in the provision of the 24-hour refuge On-Call cover through our established rota systems.
• Undertake any other duties as required.

Education

GCSE (or equivalent) standard of education

Level 3 Health & Social Care or equivalent (NVQ Level 3 etc) or a recognised counselling qualification

Job description

Hours/days: 30 hours per week. (This post also requires evening, weekend and bank holiday work) Salary: £21, 808.80 per annum Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave pro rata plus public holidays Pension: 4% employee contribution and 8% employer contribution Location: Bangor Advice Centre, Refuge & Community Contract: 2 years Closing Date: Friday, 30 October 2026@4pm

North Down and Ards Women’s Aid is a professional, dynamic and energetic organisation providing an excellent standard of support to women, children and young people experiencing domestic and sexual abuse.

Stepping Stones Domestic and Sexual Abuse Support Worker provides trauma-informed, high-quality, proactive frontline support and services to women, children and young people affected by domestic and sexual abuse in the Ards & North Down area.

Previous applicants not to apply.

Main Responsibilities

• The project will be for women who are leaving our refuge accommodation and women who are exiting our floating support in the community service. The Stepping Stones Domestic & Sexual Abuse Support Worker will tailor each support plan to meet the specific needs of each individual woman and her family and to ensure that the services received are culturally sensitive, and trauma informed.
• Help women rebuild their lives, regain their confidence, and develop the skills they need to thrive independently.
• Provide comprehensive support help to prevent future abuse and create a safer environment for the next generation.
• Provide support to women, children and young people through the court process,
• Manage a caseload, working with women to reduce risk, improve safety, and build healthier / safer relationships.
• Organise scheduled, weekly one-to-one meetings to develop a mutually agreed-upon support pathway.
• Support the empowerment of women (within the self-help ethos of North Down and Ards Women’s Aid), enabling them to recognise domestic and sexual abuse within their situation and regain control of their lives.
• To deliver trauma-informed and therapeutic interventions to women experiencing domestic abuse.
• Establish and maintain links with key agency partners and participate in multi-agency forums/partnership meetings
• Signpost women on to other agencies, creating opportunities for the whole family to connect with others and build supportive relationships.
• Advocate on behalf of women with statutory and voluntary agencies, including housing, job & benefits, social services, healthcare, education, police and legal support.
• Consult with women and incorporate their views and experiences within service development.
• Organise and facilitate Service User Engagement and Focus groups when required.
• Ensure all work is carried out to North Down and Ards Women’s Aid standards and delivered to maximise agreed outcomes.
• Administration – keeping records up to date, including completing all necessary forms, NIHE forms, key allocation records, and updating women’s records
• To assist in the provision of the 24-hour refuge On-Call cover through our established rota systems.
• Undertake any other duties as required.

Applicants should have

• GCSE (or equivalent) standard of education.
• Level 3 Health & Social Care or equivalent (NVQ Level 3 etc) or a recognised counselling qualification.

OR

• Minimum 3 years’ paid experience in the past 5 years of providing a support service to people at a point of crisis, including crisis intervention, assessment of risk, safety planning, multi-agency advocacy, support, and information.

Due to the level of contact with vulnerable women and children, the lawful recruitment of females for this post falls within the exemption stated in Article 10 (2e) of the Sex Discrimination (N.I.) Order 1976.North Down & Ards Women’s Aid is an Equal Opportunities Employer.