DSV Caseworker - Newham DSVSS - Newham DA

We are Hestia. We make a difference. At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for a Case Worker to play a pivotal role in our Domestic Abuse service in Newham.

We are looking for a compassionate and proactive Support Worker to join our outreach team in Newham, supporting individuals involved in sex work. This role is focused on building trust and providing holistic, person-centred support to both street-based and off-street sex workers. You will be responsible for identifying and making contact with individuals in need, delivering tailored advice and advocacy, and empowering service users to make informed decisions about their safety, health, and wellbeing.

The role involves conducting risk and needs assessments, developing support plans, and offering crisis intervention when necessary. You will work to address a range of complex issues including housing insecurity, substance misuse, economic hardship, and exploitation. Where needed, you will make referrals to specialist services such as ASEAP and MARAC, particularly in high-risk situations involving control by pimps or traffickers. Your ability to respond sensitively and effectively in challenging situations will be vital.

As part of a multi-agency approach, you will work closely with health providers, as well as local police, community safety teams, and criminal justice services. You will attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings, keep up-to-date records in line with GDPR, and manage your own caseload effectively. A key part of this role also includes supporting our evening drop-in sessions and ensuring service users are linked into the right networks to develop skills for independent living and access appropriate long-term support.

What do I need to bring with me?

You will need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don’t have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you’re willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.

Here’s what the team will be looking for:

• Experience supporting vulnerable people, ideally those involved in both street-based and off-street sex work.
• A strong understanding of the challenges faced by sex workers, including barriers to accessing services and experiences of trauma.
• Solid safeguarding knowledge, familiarity with health and social care systems, and an understanding of the legal framework surrounding sex work.
• Strong communication, IT, and written skills.
• A full driving licence.

This post is open to women only, under the exemption in Section 7(2)(b) & (e) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.

Interview Steps:

• Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!
• Face to face interview: We will be holding a recruitment day for this role on 23rd June in Newham - This will include a group task and presentation and individual written test.

Don’t be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it’s all part of the plan for some of our roles.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion:

Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.

We are a disability confident employer:

Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.

Safeguarding Statement:

Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.

Work Pattern: PT Scheduled (Set weekly schedule with fixed start and end times, Bank Holidays inclusive on holiday allowance) Part-time, Permanent Full Time Equivalent Salary: £26,767.68