At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide vital support to women and children escaping domestic abuse in a refuge setting.
- Company: Specialist domestic abuse service based in Winchester, dedicated to empowering survivors.
- Benefits: Rewarding role with opportunities for personal growth and professional development.
- Other info: Join a compassionate team committed to anti-oppressive practices and equality.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of survivors and help them rebuild safely.
- Qualifications: Experience supporting vulnerable individuals and strong advocacy skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are recruiting for a Female Domestic Abuse Refuge Project Worker to join a specialist domestic abuse service based in Winchester. This is a rewarding and varied role providing high-quality support to women and their children residing in refuge accommodation after fleeing domestic abuse. You will work within a trauma-informed environment, delivering practical, emotional and advocacy support to empower survivors to rebuild their lives safely and independently. The role includes both refuge-based support and resettlement work, helping women transition into safe, long-term accommodation.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide one-to-one support, advocacy and safety planning to women living in refuge.
- Support women to understand their options around housing, legal remedies, benefits, health and finance.
- Deliver parenting and family support, promoting healthy mother/child relationships.
- Facilitate group work, drop-ins and structured support programmes.
- Support children and young people to access and maintain education.
- Assist with court, Jobcentre and local authority appointments (including occasional police-escorted property visits).
- Develop and review individual support and safety plans.
- Provide resettlement support to enable women to move on safely from refuge.
Refuge Management & Operations
- Contribute to the smooth day-to-day running of the refuge.
- Ensure health & safety standards are maintained within the building.
- Support residents to maintain communal areas and prepare rooms for new arrivals.
- Assist with housing benefit applications, licence agreements and rent collection.
- Maintain accurate and confidential case records.
Multi-Agency & Partnership Working
- Work closely with social care, housing, police, health, education and voluntary agencies.
- Participate in MARAC and other multi-agency forums where required.
- Advocate on behalf of clients to ensure coordinated safety planning.
- Promote awareness of domestic abuse and available support.
About You
We are looking for a compassionate, resilient and proactive individual who is passionate about supporting survivors of domestic abuse.
Essential
- Experience supporting vulnerable individuals under stress.
- Experience advocating on behalf of vulnerable people.
- Experience facilitating group work and structured support sessions.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection.
- Knowledge of housing, legal and benefits systems affecting survivors.
- Ability to manage a caseload independently.
- Excellent communication and crisis management skills.
- Strong organisational and record-keeping abilities.
- Commitment to anti-oppressive practice and equality.
- Clean driving licence and access to a vehicle (with business insurance).
Desirable
- Experience developing services for survivors of domestic abuse.
- Further education qualification or relevant professional training.
- Knowledge of local domestic abuse support pathways.
This role requires a strong commitment to confidentiality, safeguarding and professional boundaries. The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. If you are passionate about empowering women and supporting families to live free from abuse, we encourage you to apply.
Domestic Abuse Refuge Project Worker (Female) employer: Belmont Recruitment
Belmont Recruitment is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Woolwich, where you can make a real impact on health and social care services. With a strong focus on employee development and innovative commissioning strategies, we provide ample opportunities for professional growth and collaboration within a supportive team culture. Join us to be part of a meaningful mission that prioritises integrated service delivery and community well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Domestic Abuse Refuge Project Worker (Female)
✨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 Belmont Recruitment.
✨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 Belmont Recruitment!
✨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 Belmont Recruitment, 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 Belmont Recruitment 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 Refuge Project Worker (Female)
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 Belmont Recruitment:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Belmont Recruitment! 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 Belmont Recruitment
✨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.
