Support Worker - Kent

Look Ahead; Ashford; On-site; GBP 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading not-for-profit care provider is seeking a Domestic Abuse Support Worker in Ashford, Kent. In this role, you will support customers in overcoming domestic challenges, managing referrals while fostering a trusting relationship. The ideal candidate will possess NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent, thrive in social settings and show resilience. Benefits include generous leave and training opportunities. Join us in making a difference in lives across local communities.

Benefits

Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service

Free DBS

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to work scheme

Generous pension contributions

Qualifications

• Enjoys social interaction and encourages customer involvement.
• Exudes a warm friendly presence.
• Calm and resilient under pressure.
• Naturally well organized and logical.

Responsibilities

• Manage customer referrals and assessments.
• Build trusting relationships with customers.
• Support customers in achieving personal goals.
• Maintain a healthy living environment.

Skills

Social interaction

Resilience

Teamwork

Organizational skills

Conflict resolution

Education

NVQ Level 2 / 3 or equivalent

Job description

Support Worker - Kent

We’re looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Domestic Abuse Support Worker to join our Homelessness Social Care Service in Kent.

£26,208.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week on a 1 year FTC

Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You’ll feel at home here.

Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That’s why we offer a wide range of benefits, award‑winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all.

Our benefits include:

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• Free DBS
• Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
• Fully paid induction programme and further training
• ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme for 24‑7 confidential support
• Online wellbeing resources
• A generous pension – we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
• Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff’s commitment and contribution

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

What you’ll do:

• Manage customer referrals, completing Dash Risk Assessments and obtaining and maintaining all relevant paperwork.
• Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system. Understanding of MARAC protocols.
• Working proactively with other members of the team to handle the service caseload and administrative responsibilities.
• Supporting customers to set personalised goals in the form of a Safety and Support Plan.
• Conducting regular key work sessions that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve Support Plan goals.
• Supporting customers to maintain a healthy environment and, where appropriate, assisting them to clean their accommodation and maintain a clean environment.
• Assisting in the recording and reporting of customer incidents.
• Safety planning with customers.
• Maximising referrals to ensure service capacity.
• Adhering to lone working protocols and maintaining high levels of awareness in relation to the health and safety of yourself and colleagues.
• Involving customers in the design, development and delivery of the service.
• Empowering customers to ensure they receive the service and benefits they are entitled to.
• Encouraging customers to attend relevant programmes when appropriate (e.g. Own My Life / Recovery Toolkit) to support successful move on.
• Ensuring Look Ahead Health and Safety policies and local protocols are adhered to at all times (e.g. fire risk assessments, fire alarm checks, etc.).
• Adhering to all other Look Ahead policies and procedures.
• Engaging in learning and development activity to increase knowledge and skills.
• Undertaking any other duties consistent with the grade and nature of the post as assigned by the Project Manager.

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead.

About you:

• Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement.
• Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour.
• Prefers working as part of a group or team.
• Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement.
• Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised.
• Able to apply the right balance of care and support dependant on the needs of the customer.
• Is confident with high levels of self‑esteem.
• Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can‑do attitude.
• Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviour.

What you’ll bring: Essential:

• NVQ Level 2 / 3 or equivalent with little or some previous relevant sector work experience.

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not‑for‑profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co‑design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

Our values:

• We focus on Excellence and innovation.
• We are Caring and Compassionate.
• We are Inclusive and Trusted.
• We work in Partnership and are One‑Team.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.