Refuge Worker

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 Refuge Worker to play a pivotal role in our Domestic Abuse Service in Tower Hamlets.

Sounds great, what will I be doing?

This role involves providing intensive, person-centred support to women in a residential setting. The role includes delivering key sessions, community meetings, and daily contact to assess and monitor individual needs. You will co-produce Support and Safety Plans with residents, focusing on their strengths and goals, and offer advice on safety, domestic abuse, housing, and independent living. Responsibilities also include liaising with statutory bodies on safeguarding matters, supporting move-on accommodation, and promoting empowerment through workshops and social activities. The role follows “The Hestia Approach,” prioritising co-production, recovery, and partnership with service users.

What do I need to bring with me?

You'll 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:

• The successful candidate will have substantial experience working directly with individuals who present a wide range of support needs, risks, and aspirations for their future.
• They will be confident in delivering high-quality casework, including key working, support planning, and risk assessments, with a strong focus on promoting independence and recovery.
• A solid understanding of issues affecting women experiencing domestic abuse, as well as knowledge of mental health, substance misuse, and the wider social factors impacting service users, is essential.
• The role requires someone who is able to work collaboratively with a variety of external agencies, including Social Services, mental health teams, drug and alcohol services, and other community organisations.
• The candidate must be able to communicate effectively with professionals to ensure that support packages are well-coordinated and that safeguarding responsibilities are met.
• A thorough understanding of safeguarding legislation and procedures, including child protection, is fundamental to the role.
• The postholder will need strong knowledge of welfare benefits, housing legislation, and the practical steps involved in supporting women to secure and maintain safe accommodation.
• They must be able to work confidently within service specifications, quality frameworks, and organisational policies, ensuring accurate record-keeping, case notes, and monitoring reports.
• Experience using computer-based systems to record client information is therefore required.
• A commitment to equality, diversity, and the rights of service users is central to the role.
• The candidate must demonstrate an ability to promote dignity, choice, empowerment, and co-production in all aspects of their work, in line with The Hestia Approach.
• They should be able to support women in developing confidence, resilience, and peer networks, and be comfortable facilitating group activities, workshops, and community-based initiatives.

Please note: This role is open to female applicants only, in accordance with Schedule 9 (1a) of the Equality Act 2010.

Interview Steps

We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.

• 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: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.

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.