Young Adults Worker in Accrington

Project: Loving Me (Domestic Abuse support services for Trans+ community)

Salary: £27,269 – £29,572 per annum

Pension: 8% employer contribution and health care package

Contract length: 4 years

Place of work: The EDC Accrington, Lancashire

Responsible to: Board of Directors

Working Week: 36.5hrs week

Closing Date: 15th of June 2026

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. Applications are particularly welcomed from individuals who identify as Transgender, Non-Binary or Gender Queer.

About the organisation: The Emily Davison Centre opened in 2019 and is home to several charities who provide support to adults and children who have experienced or are experiencing abuse, exploitation and/or violence. The centre is based in Accrington, Lancashire.

Loving Me is a support, advocacy and accommodation service for Trans+ people (transgender, non-binary and gender diverse) aged 18 and over who live in England and are experiencing Domestic Abuse. Loving Me opened the first Trans + domestic abuse refuge in 2023, which provides safe and quality accommodation to victims of abuse who are at risk of harm and have no safe place to go.

The aims of the service are to:

• Empower Trans+ individuals experiencing domestic abuse by providing them with professional, confidential, and high-quality support and advocacy that they can trust.
• Enhance the accessibility of services across England for the Trans+ community, ensuring that everyone receives the help they deserve.
• Amplify the voices of Trans+ victims of abuse, ensuring they are heard and valued at every level of society.

About Loving Me! Loving Me is a "by and for" domestic abuse service for Transgender people (Trans+) and has been specifically designed and operated by individuals who have lived experience as transgender individuals, ensuring that the unique needs and challenges of our community are prioritised and addressed.

1. Inclusive Leadership: perspectives and insights shape the direction and policies of the service.

2. Tailored Support Services: support and activities are customised to address the specific vulnerabilities faced by transgender individuals, including issues related to identity, stigma, and discrimination. Considers with care the nuances that exist for victims of domestic abuse and the barriers that deter victims from seeking help.

3. Safe Spaces: Loving Me provides safe and welcoming spaces that affirm gender identity, enabling individuals to feel secure and understood. This includes a refuge/safe house, support groups and a space at The EDC.

4. Culturally Competent Staff: All staff members receive training in transgender issues and trauma-informed care to offer effective and compassionate support.

5. Advocacy and Resources: The service works to advocate for the rights of transgender individuals, providing resources and information on legal rights, healthcare access, and protective measures.

6. Collaborative Community Approach: Loving Me engages with other community services to ensure comprehensive support, including legal aid, mental health services, and healthcare tailored to the needs of transgender individuals.

7. Empowerment and Education: emphasises empowerment through education, helping clients to understand their rights and options while providing support on building resilience and self-advocacy skills.

8. Feedback and Evolution: Continuous input from the transgender community is sought to adapt and improve services, ensuring they remain relevant and effective as needs evolve.

By centring the experiences of transgender individuals in all aspects of service delivery, a "by and for" domestic abuse service creates an environment where survivors feel validated, understood, and supported in their recovery journey.

The majority of service users over the last three years have been aged between 18 and 25 years old. Young transgender individuals facing domestic abuse encounter various challenges that can complicate their situations. One key issue is the struggle with identity and acceptance. Many grapple with their gender identity and often feel unsupported by family and partners, which can lead to emotional and psychological abuse. This lack of acceptance can severely impact their mental health.

Isolation is another major concern. Many young trans individuals feel completely alone and lack supportive networks, making it difficult for them to seek help. They often fear rejection from friends and family if they disclose their experiences, which exacerbates their feelings of loneliness. Additionally, concerns about discrimination when approaching support services can discourage them from asking for the help they need.

Mental health is a significant aspect of their experience. Survivors of abuse frequently deal with trauma-related issues such as anxiety and depression. The stigma surrounding trans identities, combined with existing prejudices, can make these mental health challenges even more difficult. For those who are neurodiverse, the lack of experience in independent living can further complicate their ability to escape abusive situations.

To support young trans individuals effectively, we adopt a comprehensive approach. We create a safe environment that encourages open dialogue about their identity without assumptions. By listening to and validating their experiences, we foster a sense of community and help reduce feelings of isolation. We assign a dedicated key worker to provide personalised support and assistance in accessing necessary services.

Our trauma-informed strategy acknowledges the complexity of their experiences and addresses related stigmas, such as those involving race or neurodiversity. By facilitating group programs focused on essential life skills and healthy relationships, we empower young people to make informed choices and promote their independence, ultimately guiding them toward healing, feeling more confident and living independent and violence-free futures.

We are looking for an experienced youth worker to support the service to increase our reach to young Trans+ people living in the North West of England.

Job Description: This role is to provide a high-quality support service to Young Trans+ people living in the Loving Me refuge and across the North West of England.

Specialist One-to-One Support

• Provide trauma-informed, gender-affirming one-to-one support to transgender and gender-diverse people aged 18–25 who are experiencing or recovering from domestic abuse.
• Build trusted, non-judgemental relationships that respect young people’s autonomy, identity, and lived experience.
• Carry out holistic assessments covering safety, wellbeing, housing, finances, education/employment, and social support.
• Co-produce personalised support and safety plans, recognising risks such as family abuse, partner abuse, financial dependence, and threats of outing or withdrawal of gender-affirming support.

Safeguarding & Risk Management

• Identify indicators of domestic abuse, coercive control, sexual exploitation, honour-based abuse, and identity-based violence.
• Follow organisational policies relating to adult safeguarding, MARAC processes, and information sharing, balancing confidentiality with risk.
• Respond to high-risk situations, including crisis intervention and emergency referrals.
• Maintain clear, accurate, and confidential case records in line with GDPR and best practice.

Advocacy & Rights-Based Support

• Advocate for young people’s rights with housing providers, employers, education settings, health services, social care, and criminal justice agencies.
• Support access to trans-inclusive domestic abuse services, refuges, and safe accommodation.
• Assist with practical issues such as benefits, housing applications, legal options, protective orders, and identity documentation.
• Empower young people to understand their legal rights, options, and choices, supporting informed decision-making.

Emotional Wellbeing & Trauma Support

• Provide emotional support to young people experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, isolation, or identity-related distress.
• Use strengths-based and recovery-focused approaches to build resilience, confidence, and self-advocacy skills.
• Refer to specialist mental health or therapeutic services where appropriate, maintaining coordinated support.

Group Work

• Develop and facilitate group sessions or peer-support spaces for trans young adults affected by abuse.
• Deliver workshops on healthy relationships, boundaries, consent, financial independence, and life skills.
• Support transitions into independent living, education, training, or employment.

Partnership Working

• Work collaboratively with LGBTQ+ organisations, domestic abuse services, mental health teams, housing providers, and statutory services.
• Attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings, ensuring trans-inclusive practice and the young person’s voice is central.
• Challenge discriminatory or unsafe practice in partner agencies where necessary.

Equality, Inclusion & Anti-Oppressive Practice

• Actively challenge transphobia, homophobia, sexism, racism, ableism, and other forms of oppression.
• Apply an intersectional approach, recognising how multiple identities and structural inequalities affect risk and access to support.
• Ensure services are accessible, culturally competent, and inclusive.

Monitoring, Professional Practice & Self-Care

• Maintain accurate records, outcome data, and reports for service monitoring and funding requirements.
• Keep up to date with legislation, policy, and best practice relating to domestic abuse and trans inclusion.
• Engage in supervision, training, reflective practice, and wellbeing support to manage the emotional demands of the role.