At a Glance
- Tasks: Support women and children fleeing domestic abuse with practical and emotional assistance.
- Company: Join Solace Women's Aid, a leading intersectional feminist organisation.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous holiday, training opportunities, and wellness programmes.
- Other info: Full-time role at our Enfield refuge, focused on creating a safe environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of survivors while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Compassionate, resilient individuals with strong communication and organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Are you looking for a rewarding role working for an intersectional feminist organisation? If so, we have an incredible opportunity for you to join our team as a Refuge Support Worker at Solace Women's Aid.
About The Service
The Enfield Refuge Service provides emergency accommodation to women and children fleeing domestic abuse and sexual violence. Refuge Support Workers give emotional and practical support, which can include housing support, legal options, reporting to the police, help around child contact, benefits, financial advice and accessing therapeutic support services.
About The Role
As a Refuge Support Worker you will create a safe, welcoming environment for women and families escaping abuse. You’ll handle phone enquiries, prepare rooms for new arrivals, support deliveries, and keep communal areas clean and safe. You’ll introduce new residents to Solace services, explain key policies and ensure they know internal and external support options. Working alongside each resident, you will develop support plans, assist with benefits and housing applications, accompany them to appointments when needed, and help them work toward a safe, independent move-on accommodation.
About You
The ideal candidate is compassionate, practical, and resilient, with a genuine commitment to supporting survivors of domestic abuse. You’re confident working in a busy, varied environment and can balance hands-on tasks with administrative responsibilities. You communicate clearly, build trusting relationships, and work well with residents, colleagues, and external agencies. You are organised, reliable, and able to maintain accurate records and follow safeguarding, health and safety, and organisational procedures. You’re also comfortable supporting service users with practical needs such as benefits, housing and appointments, and you approach challenges with patience, empathy and a problem-solving mindset. You can manage occasional physical tasks such as helping prepare rooms or assisting with deliveries, and you are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and empowering environment where every resident feels heard, respected and supported.
Additional Information
The postholder will be based at our Enfield refuge, working full-time, providing on-site support to survivors. Given the nature of this role and our refuge services, we are unable to offer hybrid working for this position.
What We Can Offer You
- Flexible working
- Focus on learning and development (internal career progression and training)
- Generous holiday entitlement
- Employer pension contribution
- Family-friendly leave and enhanced maternity pay
- Access to Inclusion Networks
- Daily clinical debriefing
- Employee Assistance Programme providing free 24/7 support and advice
- Employee Benefits Platform offering staff discounts, benefits and savings
- Flow & Restore yoga classes
- Meditation sessions
- Cycle to Work Scheme
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, abilities, perspectives and lived experiences. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits. Our Inclusion Networks support staff with protected characteristics and offer inclusive spaces to connect. We are a Disability Confident Employer and committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2)(e) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.
Refuge Support Worker in London employer: Solace Womens Aid
Solace Women's Aid is an exceptional employer dedicated to creating a safe and empowering environment for women and children fleeing domestic abuse. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer flexible working, generous holiday entitlement, and comprehensive support through our Employee Assistance Programme. Our inclusive work culture values diversity and provides numerous opportunities for professional development, making it a rewarding place to contribute to meaningful change in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Refuge Support Worker in London
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Solace Womens Aid.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Solace Womens Aid.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Solace Womens Aid.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Solace Womens Aid. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Refuge Support Worker in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Solace Womens Aid. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Refuge Support Worker, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Solace Womens Aid
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Solace Womens Aid. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
