At a Glance
- Tasks: Support victims of domestic abuse and other crimes in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Victim Support, a charity dedicated to helping those affected by crime.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, wellbeing support, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to diversity and supporting all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real difference every day while supporting vulnerable individuals.
- Qualifications: Understanding of crime impact, strong communication skills, and teamwork experience.
The predicted salary is between 29250 - 35750 £ per year.
We are looking for a motivated, proactive and compassionate Domestic Abuse Caseworker to support victims of crime. The service provides support across the whole geography of Avon & Somerset. This role involves making initial contact with victims of domestic abuse and other crimes, providing support in a dynamic and ever-changing environment. The role is full-time and is hybrid between the Vassall Centre and home working, and therefore a suitable and confidential workspace at home is required. The position also requires regular working from Bridewell Police Station in central Bristol, so police vetting will need to be undertaken.
What we offer:
- Flexible Working Options: Including hybrid working.
- Generous Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
- Birthday Leave: An extra day off for your birthday.
- Pension Plan: 5% employer contribution.
- Enhanced Allowances: Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
- Exclusive Discounts: High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
- Financial Wellbeing: Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary-deducted finance.
- Wellbeing Support: Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
- Inclusive Networks: Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
- Sustainable Travel: Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
- Career Development: Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career progression.
About the Role:
As a Domestic Abuse Caseworker you will provide high quality support to victims of domestic abuse and other crimes, leading on completing initial impact and risk assessments that are comprehensive and holistic. You will also contribute to providing cover for the local VS Helpline.
Key Responsibilities:
- Effectively managing a caseload of service users, delivering excellent services which support the commissioners and their service goals to victims.
- Undertake initial proactive contact with victims, explaining VS services and promoting the benefits of accessing support.
- Ensure each victim receives an individually appropriate tailored support and information service that fully meets their needs, keeping complex needs central to all processes and decisions. This will be delivered face to face, via telephone, video-chat, text and/or email based on the preferences of the client.
- Undertake risk and needs assessments to address the specific needs of the client in line with VS operating procedures.
- Follow relevant safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure an integrated approach to address any safeguarding concerns.
- Provide information and advocacy to enable service users to navigate and understand the criminal justice process and ensure their rights are upheld in accordance with the Victims Code of Practice.
- Identify barriers to individuals accessing our services and determine solutions.
- Work with multi-agency partners to which victims can be referred for ongoing and specialist support such as housing, social services and health provision.
- Maintain accurate and confidential case records, complying with data protection and all other legislation connected to your work.
About You:
- An understanding of the impact of crime on victims such as anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse, sexual violence and hate crime.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Proven track record of successfully delivering services and working directly within a statutory, voluntary or multi-agency setting(s).
- Ability to balance competing needs and priorities.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- A successful track record of building effective working relationships across internal and external stakeholders.
This role involves regular travel and due to the location, a driving license and access to a vehicle is considered an essential requirement. If you are unable to drive because of a disability, please indicate this in your application in your personal statement so we can explore the feasibility of alternative arrangements.
About Us:
Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences. Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required. At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities. As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.
Domestic Abuse Caseworker employer: South West Community Chaplaincy
Age UK Bradford District is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of older people within the community. With a flexible and hybrid working environment, a supportive team culture, and a strong commitment to professional development, employees can thrive while building lasting relationships and partnerships that drive community engagement. Join us in creating a positive change and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing your work truly matters.
Contact Details:
South West Community Chaplaincy Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Domestic Abuse 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 South West Community Chaplaincy.
✨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 South West Community Chaplaincy!
✨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 South West Community Chaplaincy, 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 South West Community Chaplaincy 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 Domestic Abuse 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 South West Community Chaplaincy:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to South West Community Chaplaincy! 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 South West Community Chaplaincy
✨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.
