Specialist Domestic Abuse Support Worker in Crowborough

We have a fantastic new job opportunity for a Domestic Abuse Support Worker who has experience supporting survivors of domestic abuse who present with multiple and compound needs (Mental Health, Homelessness, No Recourse to Public Funds, Offending Behaviour and Substance Misuse etc) and who has the desire to work towards becoming a specialist Domestic Support Worker.

Working as a Domestic Abuse Support Worker you will provide a support service to survivors of domestic abuse and their families where relevant. We currently support women and children but will also run provision for male survivors and survivors from the LGBTQI+ community which all staff will support. The service is delivered across multiple sites in the East Sussex area and the current vacancies are within Eastbourne, Bexhill, Crowborough and Seaford. However, there would be an expectation for the post-holder to travel across other sites in the East Sussex area where required. Due to this, we ask that you hold a UK Driver's Licence and have access to a car. (Travel between sites would be paid as per our mileage policy.)

As a Domestic Abuse Support Worker you will be required to build trusting and respectful relationships with all survivors accessing refuge, to ensure they feel safe and empowered to build a safe and promising future. This involves working directly with clients as well as building strong working relationships with partner agencies to ensure the most effective support is being provided for clients. Delivery includes completing regular needs and risk assessments, delivery of regular keywork sessions, delivering a range of programmes, including group and individual sessions and events for adults and children, and dealing with crisis situations safely and effectively. Alongside this you will be expected to keep accurate records of interactions, risk assessments and support and care plans. It also includes maintenance of the buildings, involving regular health and safety checks, reporting and managing repairs, supporting clients with tenancy related issues (such as rent payments) during their stay in refuge and supporting with cleaning/making up rooms upon move out. This may, on occasion, involve moving furniture.

The role is fast-paced and has a range of opportunities for training and development, such as developing skills working with particular client groups around legal support, immigration, mental health support, children and parenting support, delivering groups as well as accessing IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advocate) training for those with 12 months experience in a domestic abuse setting.

Responsibilities

• Ensure a safe, responsive delivery of support and skills facilitation to survivors accessing the service.
• Responsible for facilitating a supportive, enabling environment for residents, through interaction with survivors, managers, East Sussex County Council, and through a comprehensive understanding of the requirements presented by those accessing refuge.
• Responsible for completing assessment of need and risk such as DASH and Mental Health Risk Assessments.
• Development of care and support plans.
• Work collaboratively with a range of partner agencies to support survivors to access services particular to their needs.
• Work with the survivors to ensure that Enhanced Housing benefit applications are accurately completed and submitted.
• Work as part of a small team, engaging with residents to plan, arrange and deliver/co-deliver structured activities to support the resident's safe re-integration into the community.
• Work in a trauma informed way and assessing clients for their individual support needs.
• De-escalate situations when necessary, remaining calm and applying conflict resolution strategies effectively.
• Provide practical assistance to residents with everyday tasks such as accessing external services, completing paperwork, accessing benefits, and finding move on accommodation.
• Provide support to enable residents to deal with problems and become independent.
• Where possible, to promote support to access activities in the local community.

Candidate Requirements

• Good working knowledge of domestic abuse and in particular, survivor's experience.
• Comprehensive understanding of the requirements of working in a residential environment.
• Experience of working in an environment with complex and challenging delivery needs.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of principles underpinning effective delivery of services that meets the needs of vulnerable and complex people.
• Clear understanding of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.
• Experience of coaching and team development.
• An understanding of risk management, safeguarding and public protection and its implication on practice, within a residential setting.
• First Aid Qualified or willing to undertake and maintain the qualification.
• An understanding of the benefits system, particularly relating to housing.
• Experience of managing a residential service.
• Experience of processing benefit claims.
• Understanding of the housing needs of survivors.
• Social Work or IDVA qualification.

This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check, adult and child, along with any required prison vetting. All required checks will be undertaken as part of the pre-employment process for any successful candidate. The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share and uphold this commitment in conjunction with the requirements of the Prevent Duty and the positive promotion of modern British values.

To be considered for this job vacancy, please submit your CV & Cover Letter detailing how you meet the requirements of the specification by 11 July 2025 to our recruitment team who will review your details. Interviews will take place, via Teams on Tuesday 15th and Thursday 24th July 2025.