At a Glance
- Tasks: Support survivors of domestic abuse in a safe, welcoming environment and develop tailored support plans.
- Company: Join Solace Women's Aid, an intersectional feminist organisation making a real difference.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous holiday, training opportunities, and employee support programmes.
- Other info: Fixed term contract until March 2027, based at our Lambeth refuge.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact while empowering individuals during their toughest times.
- Qualifications: Compassionate, resilient, and organised individuals with a commitment to supporting survivors.
The predicted salary is between 17631 - 18402 £ 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 Caseworker at Solace Women's Aid. You will be joining a team of committed and inspiring individuals whose dedication has saved the lives of thousands of women, men and children in the capital. We are looking for friendly and diligent individuals to join our services and help us make a difference. Our core values reflect our history and were developed in consultation with staff and service users. Feminism and intersectionality are key to our work, and we are committed to the principles of being survivor-led, trauma-informed, empowering, diverse, anti-racist and anti-discriminatory.
About the Service: The Lambeth Refuge Service provides skilled, specialist support for women and children across our refuges, enabling them to address both their practical and emotional needs during this difficult time of transition. Support is also provided to ensure women and children are safe and their core needs are met in relation to finances and welfare benefits, housing, especially move-on accommodation, legal matters, immigration issues, health, education, training and employment.
About the Role: As Refuge Caseworker, you will help create a safe, welcoming environment for women and families escaping abuse. You’ll handle phone enquiries, prepare rooms for new arrivals, support with deliveries, and help maintain clean, safe communal areas. You’ll introduce new residents to Solace services, explain key policies, and ensure they are aware of 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. Days in the refuge can be unpredictable, and the role requires some lone working, as such we need staff who feel comfortable working alone as well as part of a team.
About You: The ideal candidate will be 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 service users, colleagues, and external agencies. As an organised professional, you are also reliable, and able to maintain accurate records and follow safeguarding, health and safety, and organisational procedures. You’ll provide non-judgmental, confidential, and psychologically informed support to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse.
Additional Information: The postholder will be based at our Lambeth refuge (across two locations), 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. The salary for this post is £17,631 - £18,402 (pro-rata of £29,385 - £30,671 Unqualified) or £17,953 - £19,573 (pro-rata of £29,923 - £32,623 (Qualified)). This post is a fixed term contract to 31st March 2027.
What we can offer you: We provide a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees, including:
- 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
Solace Women's Aid values diversity, promotes equity, and challenges discrimination. 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 anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as needed and support employees who acquire a disability or long-term health condition, enabling them to stay in work. 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. As part of safer recruitment practices, we carry out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and right to work in the UK checks. No agencies.
Refuge Caseworker employer: Solace Womens Aid
Solace Women’s Aid is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and compassionate work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the survivors they assist. Located in Enfield, the organisation provides extensive employee growth opportunities through training and development, alongside a comprehensive benefits package that underscores their commitment to fostering a positive work environment. Joining Solace means being part of a dedicated team that makes a meaningful impact in the community, ensuring that every day at work is rewarding and fulfilling.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Refuge Caseworker
✨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 Solace Womens Aid.
✨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 Solace Womens Aid!
✨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 Solace Womens Aid, 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 Solace Womens Aid 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 Refuge Caseworker
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 Solace Womens Aid:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Solace Womens Aid! 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 Solace Womens Aid
✨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.
