At a Glance
- Tasks: Support women and children fleeing domestic abuse in a safe and empowering environment.
- Company: Causeway & Mid-Ulster Women’s Aid, a charitable organisation dedicated to helping families in crisis.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, competitive salary, and the chance to make a real difference in people's lives.
- Other info: Opportunity for personal growth and professional development in a rewarding field.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and help empower families to rebuild their lives after trauma.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level II in Early Years Childcare or Social Care with experience in supportive roles.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
- Causeway & Mid-Ulster Women’s Aid are recruiting for the following permanent posts:
- FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER (Based in Cookstown Refuge) – 16 hrs pw (Ref: FSWJuly26-1)
- FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER (Based in Cookstown Refuge) – 23 hrs pw (Ref: FSWJuly26-2)
- Job Purpose
Causeway & Mid-Ulster Women’s Aid is a charitable organisation which provides information, support and temporary refuge accommodation to women and their children who have experienced domestic violence.
Our refuge team respond to crisis need for accommodation and all subsequent support needs arising from their experience of domestic violence.
Key Responsibilities
- To ensure support needs of women, children and young people fleeing domestic abuse are met within a supportive and empowering environment
- Ensure high standard of accommodation for all women and children resident in refuge
- Engage with all necessary external agencies to ensure best outcomes for women and children resident in refuge.
- Specific Duties
Supporting women and children
- To identify and respond to the needs of families living in the refuge through:
- Offering relevant information which will assist women to make informed choices and to be self-determining.
- Delivering child centred programmes to children/ young people residing in refuge.
- Organise and plan activities for children/ young people
- Identifying, maintaining and developing good working relationships with a range of statutory and voluntary agencies to assist women and their children to access other help and support when needed
- To ensure that individual support plans are in place for each resident in accordance with Refuge’s policy.
- Identify risks, needs, complete safety and support planning as per organisational policy and procedure
- Follow organisational policies and procedures
- Participate in On-Call
- To take responsibility for the more complex cases/situations presenting within the service, seeking advice and guidance when necessary.
- Ensure the service offers a fair and equitable service to all families
- Respond to families from minority ethnic groups and be mindful of the barriers they may face in accessing support
- To support the parenting role of service users.
- To give practical support and assistance to women, children and young people moving into independent accommodation and to offer planning for their future needs.
- To assist women, children and young people to access community-based services both from within Causeway & Mid-Ulster Women’s Aid or from other agencies/groups.
- To work within the self-help and empowerment ethos of Women’s Aid.
- To work collaboratively with women resident in the refuge to create a communal living environment which promotes equality, choice, respect and understanding for all.
- To work within the stated guidelines and boundaries which are informed by Causeway & Mid-Ulster Women’s Aid policies and procedures.
Housing Functions
- To ensure the facilities in refuge are maintained to a high standard in order to fulfil Health and Safety requirements.
- To prepare bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms, as required, for new residents.
- To complete all Health and Safety Checks on a daily, weekly and monthly basis and report any defects as per procedures.
- To respond to any defects reported by residents in a timely fashion as per policy and procedures.
- Policy
- To ensure that your project adheres to Women’s Aid agreed Policies and Procedures.
- To keep abreast of Policy and Legislative change in relation to your area of work.
- Health and Safety
- To ensure the organisation’s Health and Safety Policy and Procedures are adhered to, and appropriate risk assessments are carried out with recommendations implemented when appropriate.
- To participate in housekeeping duties as required.
- Team Working
- To participate in the provision of a comprehensive service which is responsive to the needs of women and children.
- To contribute to effective relationships within Causeway Women’s Aid and external agencies through collaborative working.
- To respect the roles and responsibilities of team members and colleagues.
- To participate in team meetings respecting others’ opinions and differences.
- Administrative
- To develop and accurately maintain the recording and monitoring systems in place.
- To be aware of the financial constraints of the organisation and to work within agreed project budgets.
- To provide verbal/written reports as required
- To liaise and consult with statutory and voluntary agencies in maintaining good working relationships.
- To be aware of local initiatives which may impact on or resource the project.
- Confidentiality
- To respect the confidentiality of all information received as a result of the post holder’s duties.
- To contribute to the fundraising needs of the project/organisation and actively participate in fundraising activities as required.
- Training & Supervision
- To prepare for and attend supervision sessions as required.
- To be aware of your own training needs and to attend relevant training courses in consultation with the line manager.
- To participate in training programmes aimed at outside voluntary and statutory agencies to promote the work of Women’s Aid in the field of domestic violence.
- Any other Duties
- Carry out any other duties that may be required of you and make decisions on any other issues that may arise and would be within your areas of responsibility.
- No job description can be considered complete, and this job description will be subject to review and may be amended following consultation to reflect any changes that may occur and to meet the needs of the organisation and its service users.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
- NVQ Level II Early Years Childcare
- NVQ Level II Social Care
OR equivalent with a minimum of one years’ working in a supportive role with adults/families within a residential or community-based environment or part time equivalent.
- Annual salary: £ gross per annum for 16hrs post
- Annual salary: £ gross per annum for 23hrs post
- (pro rata with full-time hours being 37 hpw)
For an application pack please email quoting the relevant reference or download the documents required below.
Closing Date for Applications: 31 July 2026 @ 4:00 pm
We are here to listen, support and believe you.
- You can Phone our offices 9am – 5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 4.30pm Friday
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Empowering Family Support Worker – Refuge Care in Cookstown employer: Causeway
Causeway & Mid-Ulster Women’s Aid is an exceptional employer dedicated to creating a supportive and empowering environment for both staff and the families they serve. With a strong focus on employee growth, the organisation offers training opportunities and encourages collaboration within a compassionate team culture, all while making a meaningful impact in the community of Cookstown. Working here means being part of a mission-driven charity that values respect, equality, and the well-being of women and children affected by domestic violence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Empowering Family Support Worker – Refuge Care in Cookstown
✨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 Causeway.
✨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 Causeway!
✨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 Causeway, 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 Causeway 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 Empowering Family Support Worker – Refuge Care in Cookstown
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 Causeway:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Causeway! 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 Causeway
✨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.
