At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide practical and emotional support to women affected by domestic abuse.
- Company: A dedicated charity focused on supporting women and children facing gender-based violence.
- Benefits: 25 days annual leave, flexible working, comprehensive health coverage, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Join a friendly team with excellent training and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals and help them achieve independence.
- Qualifications: Level 3/4 qualification in Social Care or related field and experience supporting vulnerable individuals.
The predicted salary is between 26600 - 26600 £ per year.
Do you have experience supporting vulnerable women, individuals or families and the compassion to help survivors move towards safety, independence and positive change? If you've also worked in the following roles, we’d also like to hear from you: Refuge Support Worker, Women's Support Worker, Refuge Support Officer, Housing Support Worker, Family Support Worker, Vulnerable Adults Support Worker, Residential Support Worker, Support Worker, Case Worker.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Due to the sensitive nature of this role, we will be considering female applicants only, in accordance with the provision of the Occupational Requirement (Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1). This role is officially known as a Refuge Support Officer.
SALARY: £26,600 per annum + Benefits
LOCATION: Luton, Bedfordshire
JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Permanent
WORKING HOURS: 37.5 Hours per Week
JOB OVERVIEW: The organisation is a dedicated charity supporting women and children affected by gender-based violence, domestic abuse and exploitation. Working as the Domestic Abuse Support Worker, you will deliver practical and emotional refuge support, helping women make informed choices and access the services they need. As the Domestic Abuse Support Worker, you will manage a caseload, complete risk assessments and safety plans, provide advocacy and respond to safeguarding concerns. The Domestic Abuse Support Worker will also maintain accurate records, work with partner agencies and support an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory and trauma-informed service.
DUTIES: Your duties as the Domestic Abuse Support Worker include:
- Practical and Emotional Support: Provide guidance, information, advocacy and support to women in refuge who have experienced domestic abuse.
- Risk and Safety Planning: Assess needs and risks, complete individual safety plans and help service users create person-centred support plans.
- Caseload Management: Manage an allocated caseload, deliver key-working sessions and support service users across refuge premises.
- Safeguarding Response: Raise adult and child safeguarding concerns promptly and attend court or Social Services case conferences when required.
- Multi-Agency Working: Work with partner agencies and help service users access housing, health, education, employment, benefits and other support.
- Records and Confidentiality: Maintain accurate case records, evaluations and case histories in line with confidentiality, data protection and agreed protocols.
- Refuge and Resettlement Support: Support admissions, inductions, house meetings, move-on planning and resettlement support where appropriate.
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:
ESSENTIAL:
- Relevant Level 3/4 or above qualification in Social Care, Health Care or Community Work.
- Good general education, including GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English.
- Knowledge and understanding of domestic violence, safeguarding, confidentiality, data protection and professional boundaries.
- Knowledge of support interventions for women affected by domestic abuse, substance misuse, alcohol dependency and/or mental ill health.
- Demonstrable experience supporting vulnerable individuals and/or families who may have experienced domestic abuse, homelessness, sexual exploitation or mental health issues.
- Experience managing caseloads, complex situations, support planning and multi-agency working.
- Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, IT and organisational skills, with the ability to maintain accurate case records.
- Valid driving licence with access to a car for business use.
- Willingness to work outside normal hours if required.
- Commitment to anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practice, fundraising and promotional activities, and ongoing professional development.
DESIRABLE:
- Counselling qualification or counselling skills gained through active practice.
- Knowledge of person-centred and trauma-informed working practices.
BENEFITS:
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays.
- Flexible working arrangements.
- Comprehensive health coverage, including dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropractic and more.
- Free health coverage for employees' children under 18.
- 24/7 GP advice line and virtual doctor services.
- Free counselling, including 24/7 hotline, up to six face-to-face sessions and clinical supervision.
- NHS prescription reimbursements.
- Personal accident cover, including dental trauma.
- Exclusive discounts on food, cinema, gym, tech, travel and more.
- Birth & Adoption Grant for life event support.
- Monthly paid wellbeing hour.
- A friendly and supportive team.
- Training, career development and progression opportunities.
This role requires a DBS check.
Domestic Abuse Support Worker in Luton employer: AWD Online
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Domestic Abuse Support Worker in Luton
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at AWD Online.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from AWD Online!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like AWD Online, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at AWD Online or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Domestic Abuse Support Worker in Luton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to AWD Online:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to AWD Online! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at AWD Online
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
