History of the Organisation:
Established in 1987 as a women’s refuge by a woman who had experienced domestic abuse, our organisation has grown into a local, independent charity dedicated to addressing and improving all aspects of domestic abuse. While we primarily support women and children, our services have evolved to offer a comprehensive range of interventions for adults and children affected by domestic abuse. We work in close partnership with a broad network of organisations to ensure holistic, coordinated support throughout West Lancashire.
What we do:
We currently provide the following services:
- 24 hour temporary safe accommodation and support for women and children
- Outreach and community support for adults, children and young people
- Counselling
- IDVA
- Group work programmes
- 24-hour helpline
- Information and Drop in Centre
- Connect and Respect School programme
Our Values:
- COLLABORATIVE: We work together with service users, agencies and the community to improve lives
- AWARENESS & EDUCATION: We raise awareness, educate the community and commit to ongoing learning.
- RESPECT: We act with honesty, fairness, inclusivity and kindness.
- EMPOWERMENT: We enable service users to make choices, feel safe and move forward.
As a Domestic Abuse Support Worker, you will provide direct support to families who have or are experiencing domestic abuse with a focus on empowering victim-survivors to escape abuse and rebuild their lives. Delivering a holistic package of support using a trauma-informed approach to support their needs through one-to-one work and group work programmes.
Case Management and Support:
- Manage a caseload of individuals to ensure that all aspects of their needs are assessed in relation to safeguarding, including risk and crisis management plans.
- Complete needs assessments and work collaboratively with victim-survivors to develop and review support plans and safety plans.
- Develop trusting relationships and support victim-survivors to gain confidence and feel empowered to make informed choices.
- Provide one to one support and facilitate a variety of group work programmes, within the community and service user’s own homes.
- Using a trauma informed approach to support and be sensitive to each individual’s needs
Safety Planning and Safeguarding
- Create detailed safety plans, considering all aspects of the service user’s circumstances including children’s safety, housing needs, and legal concerns.
- Regularly update safety plans based on changing circumstances or increased risk factors.
- Ensure measures are in place to support transition into and out of safe accommodation including sanctuary schemes and other appropriate supportive measures.
- Promote safe integration within local communities, setting up/sustaining tenancies and achieving positive outcomes in relation to recovery, access to health, finances, education, and employment or developing life skills.
Partnership Working
- Advocate on behalf of service users with external agencies where appropriate.
- Liaise with external organisations including local authority housing teams, statutory and voluntary agencies to ensure people experiencing domestic abuse are provided with safe housing options.
- Work with agencies to ensure all partner organisations co-ordinate their practices to keep women and children safe. Attend multi-agency meetings when required such as Team Around the Family Meetings or Child Protection meetings.
Monitoring and Reporting
- Assess incoming referrals and manage in a timely manner, developing individual support and safety plans, keeping accurate records and monitoring outcomes.
- Record and maintain accurate and confidential records of all work undertaken.
- Seek regular service user feedback and evaluation to support delivery and practice.
- Ensure that all administrative systems and procedures are adhered to.
- To assist in the collection and completion of all monitoring and reporting processes.
Other requirements
- Maintain a working knowledge and comply with The Liberty Centre policies and procedures including health and safety.
- Engage in regular case management, personal supervision sessions, training and staff meetings.
- Work as a member of the team to ensure effective delivery of service and individual work plans, including working across teams where appropriate.
- Be responsible for personal learning and development, keeping up to date on research, relevant legislation, policy and practice, and other literature relevant to service users and domestic abuse.
- At all times represent The Liberty Centre in a professional, approachable and service user focused manner, ensuring that confidentiality is observed.
We respond to the need of individuals and some of the tasks are therefore unpredictable. It is therefore expected that all staff members will work in a flexible way when required, undertaking tasks that are not specifically covered in this job description. In addition, other duties at the same responsibility level may be interchanged with or added to this list at any time.
Qualifications:
An appropriate qualification in Housing/Advocacy/ Community / Social work, Counselling etc.
Experience of managing a caseload of clients, creating support plans, and safety planning using a person-centred and trauma informed approach. - Essential
Experience of partnership or multi-agency working. - Essential
Experience of providing direct emotional and practical support to women and children. - Essential
Experience of delivering evidence-based interventions on a one to one and in group work settings. - Essential
Experience of risk management and implementing safeguarding policies and procedures - Essential
Experience of facilitating community-based group work/activities and drop-in sessions. - Essential
Experience of keeping accurate and comprehensive records in various formats and to be confident in Microsoft applications and case management systems. - Essential
Full clean driving license and use of a car for work purposes - Essential
To understand the issues that women and children affected by domestic abuse face and potential barriers.
An understanding of a trauma informed and strength-based approaches.
Please email [email protected] for an application pack
Due to the sensitive and confidential nature of the work, the successful applicant will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring check.
Due to the nature of these posts, they are open to female applicants only and are exempt under Schedule 9 Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
Pay: £13.58 per hour
Benefits:
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
