At a Glance
- Tasks: Support women and children escaping domestic abuse with practical and emotional assistance.
- Company: Join Solace Women's Aid, an intersectional feminist organisation making a real difference.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous holiday, training opportunities, and wellness programmes.
- Other info: Part-time role with excellent career development in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a compassionate team that empowers survivors and transforms lives.
- Qualifications: Compassionate, resilient individuals with strong communication skills and a commitment to support.
The predicted salary is between 19394 - 20242 £ 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 Haringey 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 a Refuge Caseworker, you will help provide a safe, supportive environment for women and children escaping domestic abuse. You will provide practical and emotional support to help residents improve their safety, rebuild their lives and work towards independent living. You will work with residents to assess their needs, complete risk assessments and support plans, provide one-to-one support, and assist with housing, benefits, referrals and move-on arrangements. You will maintain accurate case records on OASIS, respond to safeguarding concerns and work with external professionals to ensure residents receive appropriate support. You will also contribute to the day-to-day running of the refuge, including health and safety checks, reporting repairs, preparing rooms for new residents and supporting house meetings and activities. The role requires flexibility, good organisation and the ability to respond to changing needs. You must be comfortable working independently, including during periods of lone working, as well as working collaboratively with colleagues and partner agencies.
About You
You are compassionate, practical and resilient, with a genuine commitment to supporting women and children affected by domestic abuse. You can adapt to a busy, changing environment, balancing resident support with the day-to-day responsibilities of running a refuge. You communicate well, build trusting relationships and work effectively with residents, colleagues and external agencies. You are able to maintain accurate records and follow safeguarding, confidentiality, health and safety and organisational procedures.
Additional Information
The postholder will be based at our Haringey Refuges, 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. This is a part-time post at 24.75 hours per week. The salary for this post is £19,394 - £20,242 (pro-rata of £29,385 - £30,671, unqualified) or £19,749 - £21,531 (pro-rata of £29,923 - £32,623, qualified). This post is a fixed term contract to 31st March 2028.
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
How to apply
When applying for this role, we kindly ask you to please submit your CV and Supporting Statement/Cover Letter through the recruitment portal. When applying for this role, please ensure your Supporting Statement clearly demonstrates how your values align with Solace's core values, alongside your knowledge, transferable skills, and experience. As applications are assessed and scored against the criteria, it is important that you address each relevant point within the following sections of the Job Profile Document: Values, Behaviours & Competencies, Knowledge, Experience and Skills.
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 are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. 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. 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 Women's Aid
Solace Women’s Aid is an exceptional employer dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic abuse through a compassionate and trauma-informed approach. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we offer ongoing training and development opportunities in a collaborative work culture that values diversity and inclusion. Working in Islington, you will be part of a committed team making a meaningful impact in the community, with the unique advantage of flexible working arrangements to support your work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Refuge Caseworker
✨Get Involved in Community Events
Dive headfirst into community events and social work fairs in your area. These are great opportunities to connect with potential employers like Solace Women's Aid, grab some insider info, and showcase your passion for social work. Plus, meeting people face-to-face can really make you stand out!
✨Join Social Work Networks
Tap into social work networks and online communities, like local charities and organisations. Engaging in discussions or volunteering can help you build a strong reputation and could lead to part-time roles just like the one at Solace Women's Aid. The connections you make could be the key to landing your next opportunity!
✨Make Your Passion Shine
When approaching part-time roles, be sure to highlight your passion for social issues in conversations and informal chats. Bring your experiences to life through storytelling – this can resonate well with organisations looking for someone who genuinely cares about making a difference!
✨Keep an Eye on Local Job Boards
Part-time roles in social work might not always be advertised in the usual places. Keep checking local job boards or community centres for openings, and don't hesitate to apply directly through Solace Women's Aid's website – we love seeing proactive candidates who take the initiative!
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 your passion for social work shine through. Talk about why you're drawn to this field and how you've been involved in community service or support roles. We want to see your commitment and the heart you bring to the table!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to spotlight any hands-on experience you have! Whether it's internships, volunteering, or relevant coursework, detail how your past experiences relate to the role at Solace Women's Aid. We love seeing candidates who have practical skills and a real understanding of social issues.
Certificates and Training Matter:If you've got any relevant certifications or training specific to social work (like safeguarding training or counselling qualifications), don’t forget to include these in your CV! These details can set you apart and show us you’re serious about your professional development.
Be Flexible with Your Availability:Since this is a part-time role, explain your availability clearly in your application. Let us know when you can start and how many hours you’re looking to work. Being upfront about your schedule will help us see how you fit into the team at Solace Women's Aid.
How to prepare for a job interview at Solace Women's Aid
✨Show Your Passion for Helping Others
In social work, it's all about your commitment to making a difference. Be ready to share specific experiences that highlight your passion for helping others, whether that's through volunteering, placements, or personal stories. We want to see that genuine drive during your chat with Solace Women's Aid.
✨Know Your Social Work Theories
You might be quizzed on social work theories or models that inform your practice, like the person-in-environment approach. Brush up on these concepts and be prepared to discuss how you'd apply them in a practical setting. This could be a game changer in your interview for a Refuge Caseworker at Solace Women's Aid.
✨Flexibility and Availability are Key
As you're going for a part-time role, highlight your flexibility and how it would fit with the organisation's needs. Have examples ready that demonstrate your availability for various shifts or urgent situations—that's just gold for a social work role.
✨Prepare for a Situation-Based Discussion
Expect scenario-based questions where you'll need to demonstrate how you'd handle specific situations with clients or stakeholders. Think of a couple of real-life scenarios you've encountered and articulate your thought process. This will show Solace Women's Aid that you're ready to hit the ground running in the Refuge Caseworker role.
