About Paiwand
Afghan Association Paiwand is a refugee-led charity supporting refugees, asylum seekers and migrants across London. We provide immigration advice, community advocacy, mental health support, education, youth services and supported accommodation.
About the Project
The Empowering Afghan Mothers project supports Afghan refugee and asylum-seeking mothers living in Harrow. The project combines psycho-educational parenting sessions, peer support, community engagement and practical support to help women build confidence, reduce isolation and improve wellbeing.
Purpose of the Role
The Women's Support Worker will support the delivery of weekly group sessions and help Afghan mothers engage with the project. The postholder will provide language support, practical assistance, outreach and signposting, helping participants access support and build connections within their local community.
The role is not a counselling position.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Project Delivery:
- Support the delivery of weekly women-only group sessions.
- Welcome participants and help create a safe, inclusive and supportive environment.
- Provide Dari and/or Pashto language support during sessions.
- Assist participants to understand information, activities and discussions.
- Support group activities and peer support discussions.
- Assist with room set-up, registration, attendance records and session close-down.
Participant Engagement
- Build positive and trusted relationships with participants.
- Encourage attendance and ongoing engagement with the project.
- Contact participants with reminders and follow-up information where appropriate.
- Help identify barriers to participation and support women to remain engaged.
Support, Signposting and Safeguarding
- Provide practical information and signposting to local services.
- Support women to access Paiwand services and other appropriate support organisations where required.
- Identify and report safeguarding concerns in accordance with Paiwand's safeguarding procedures.
- Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality at all times.
Outreach and Community Engagement
- Support outreach and promotion of the project within Afghan communities.
- Assist with the distribution of bilingual publicity materials.
- Build links with local community groups, schools, faith organisations and partner agencies where appropriate.
- Encourage referrals and participation through community networks.
Monitoring and Administration
- Maintain attendance records and basic participant information.
- Assist with collecting participant feedback and outcome information.
- Support monitoring and evaluation activities.
- Follow data protection and confidentiality requirements at all times.
General Responsibilities
- Work in accordance with Paiwand's policies and procedures, including safeguarding, health and safety, equality, diversity and inclusion, confidentiality and data protection.
- Attend supervision, training and team meetings as required.
- Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the role.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
- Fluent spoken Dari and/or Pashto and English.
- Experience of working with Afghan, refugee, asylum-seeking or migrant communities.
- Experience supporting women, families or community groups.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Understanding of the challenges faced by newly arrived refugee families.
- Ability to build trust and work sensitively with vulnerable individuals.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
- Good organisational and record-keeping skills.
- Commitment to safeguarding and equal opportunities.
Desirable
- Experience of family support, education, wellbeing, advocacy or community development work.
- Experience facilitating groups or community activities.
- Knowledge of local services available to refugee and migrant communities.
- Understanding of trauma-informed practice.
- Relevant qualifications or training in community work, family support, education, health, wellbeing or social care.
Additional Information
This post is subject to satisfactory references, Right to Work checks and an enhanced DBS check.
Paiwand welcomes applications from people with lived experience of migration, displacement and resettlement.
Pay: £15.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
