At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a female-only accommodation service, providing expert support to women facing homelessness and trauma.
- Company: A dedicated organisation focused on empowering women and creating safe environments.
- Benefits: Permanent contract, supportive culture, ongoing professional development, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team committed to continuous growth and impactful work.
- Why this job: Be a key player in transforming lives and supporting women through challenging times.
- Qualifications: Experience in supporting women with complex needs and expertise in trauma-informed practices.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are seeking a Senior Project Worker (Women Specific) to provide expert, trauma-informed leadership within a female-only supported accommodation service.
Location: Southend on Sea
Hours: 37 hours per week (occasional evenings, weekends and bank holidays)
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 20th July 2026
About the Role
This is a senior practice role within a female-only accommodation service supporting women experiencing homelessness and multiple disadvantage. You will lead on the delivery of high-quality, gender-responsive support, ensuring staff are equipped to manage complex and high-risk situations.
Key responsibilities include:
- Holding a reduced caseload of complex clients and providing structured case supervision to Project Workers, Volunteers and Peer Mentors
- Leading on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) practice, offering specialist guidance on domestic abuse, sexual violence, exploitation, and coercion
- Overseeing risk assessments, safeguarding responses, MARAC referrals, and serious incident management
- Driving strengths-based, trauma-informed practice that supports recovery, resilience, and long‑term stability
- Facilitating reflective practice, mentoring colleagues, and promoting continuous professional development
- Acting as the senior practitioner on shift, providing direction during complex or high‑pressure situations
- Supporting housing management, tenancy readiness, and safe move‑on into appropriate accommodation pathways
About You
You will be an experienced practitioner with a strong track record of supporting women affected by homelessness, trauma, and gender-based violence. You are confident providing professional challenge and guidance, and can lead practice in complex, high-risk environments.
You will bring:
- Significant experience working with women facing multiple disadvantage and VAWG
- Expertise in trauma-informed and psychologically informed approaches
- Strong safeguarding, risk assessment, and multi-agency working knowledge (including MARAC)
- Experience supervising or mentoring staff and managing complex cases
- The ability to remain calm, authoritative and reflective in challenging situations
- A values‑led approach, with a commitment to empowerment, dignity and anti‑oppressive practice
A willingness to undertake DASH training is essential (if not already held). Relevant VAWG or IDVA/ISVA training is desirable.
About the Organisation
This organisation provides specialist support to people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage, with a strong focus on trauma-informed and person‑centred approaches. The service is committed to creating safe, inclusive environments where individuals can rebuild their lives and move towards independence. Staff are supported through ongoing development, reflective practice, and a collaborative working culture.
Other roles you may have experience of could include: Senior Support Worker, Women’s Support Worker, IDVA, ISVA, Complex Needs Worker, Housing Support Worker, Domestic Abuse Practitioner, Specialist Project Worker.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Project Worker
✨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 Not For Profit People.
✨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 Not For Profit People!
✨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 Not For Profit People, 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 Not For Profit People 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 Senior Project Worker
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 Not For Profit People:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Not For Profit People! 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 Not For Profit People
✨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.
