Domestic Abuse Outreach Support Worker

Domestic Abuse Outreach Support Worker

Full-Time 16480 - 17113 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Suffolk County Council

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Empower survivors of domestic abuse through emotional and practical support in the community.
  • Company: Join Restore Women’s Aid, a compassionate organisation dedicated to helping those in need.
  • Benefits: Enjoy monthly wellbeing hours, clinical supervision, and a real living wage.
  • Other info: Flexible working hours with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a proactive attitude are essential.

The predicted salary is between 16480 - 17113 £ per year.

  • Restore Women’s Aid
  • Address: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3FT
  • Salary: £16,480 - £17,113 actual per annum (£27,693 -£28,142 pro rata)
  • Hours: 22.5 hours per week
  • Contract: Permanent. Required as soon as possible
  • Reference: 0838

Restore Women’s Aid is looking for a Domestic Abuse Outreach Support Worker.

Responsible to: Support Services Manager.

Scope of the job

Using your communication skills and proactive attitude you will empower survivors of domestic abuse to live a life without fear.

Working in our community-based service you will provide emotional and practical support to those who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse.

Enabling clients to reach informed decisions about their future, you will undertake risk assessments, produce safety plans, and liaise with statutory and other agencies.

In addition, you will facilitate group work programmes and take calls on our specialist helpline.

You must be well organised and have a professional and flexible approach to your work along with a calm and re-assuring manner.

Purpose of the post

To provide a specialist and confidential domestic abuse service to clients in the community that ensures those who have engaged with Restore:

  • are safer
  • feel safer
  • feel more empowered and confident
  • have an increased understanding of domestic abuse and risk factors
  • are more aware of safety measures
  • have an increased understanding of the abuse they are experiencing.
  • Direct work with clients
  • providing skilled practical help and emotional support to enable clients to reach an informed decision regarding their future including conducting risk assessments, producing emergency safety plans, writing support plans and liaising with statutory and other agencies.
  • informing clients of their rights and options – giving safety planning advice and explaining the effectiveness of criminal and civil court sanctions that may be available to them
  • enabling and encouraging clients to access relevant services to ensure their safety and wellbeing e. g. legal services, housing and benefits agencies, education, health, counselling etc
  • assessing risk and the implications of this, involving other agencies as appropriate
  • being mindful at all times of the safety of clients, volunteers, colleagues and yourself
  • working within national and county guidelines especially in relation to good working practices
  • facilitating group work programmes in the community
  • taking part in the provision of the helpline service.
  • Inter-agency work
  • work with Police, the local authority, children and adult social services, Education, Health, Youth Services and the voluntary sector to ensure clear referral pathways and to support multi-agency working
  • support the local MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference) through appropriate information sharing, referral and research
  • deliver presentations /workshops to clients and work creatively in order to raise awareness of Restore services and the issues around domestic abuse with other agencies, organisations and professionals to improve responses to victims.
  • Administration
  • maintain relevant records for clients and ensure such records are kept up to date. Adhere to the requirements of the Data Protection Act and Restore policies and procedures
  • undertake general office duties, e-mails and correspondence commensurate with the role
  • maintain relevant service user statistics as required by the organisation’s leadership team, colleagues, funders and others
  • ensure continual awareness of developments in legislation and policy which are relevant to the needs of clients and have a commitment to continual professional development.
  • Health and safety
  • at all times to work in a safe and efficient manner, be aware of the organisations health and safety policies
  • where appropriate, participate in addressing the risks identified in the health and safety annual audit.
  • Internal participation
  • regularly attend and participate in staff and client review meetings and inform colleagues who cannot attend of agreed outcomes and actions
  • supporting colleagues sharing information and mentoring where necessary.
  • Performance and development
  • be individually responsible for achieving measurable quality in designated areas of performance as allocated by the Principal Operations Manager or Manager
  • identify possible areas of development within the service and bring these to the attention of the Principal Operations Manager or Support Services Manager, assisting with their creative development and implementation as part of the outreach team.
  • Other duties
  • support frontline public relations service by answering and dealing with/forwarding telephone calls and post for the organisation
  • undertake any other duties as required commensurate with the post
  • provide continuity to all our services in the case of staff absences.

Benefits

  • monthly clinical Supervision
  • monthly wellbeing hour
  • regular team wellbeing days
  • long service annual leave increase
  • a Healthshield Membership (on completion of probation period)
  • real living wage accredited.

It is essential to the development of Restore service delivery that the post holder is able to respond flexibly to changes in the requirements of this post.

This job description is therefore a guide and not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities the post holder may have over time.

Previous applicants need not apply.

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Domestic Abuse Outreach Support Worker employer: Suffolk County Council

At Sendsory, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for our team of Cognition and Learning Practitioners. Located in Ipswich, Suffolk, we offer competitive salaries, six training days per year, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children with SEND. Our commitment to professional development and a child-focused culture ensures that every employee can grow and thrive while contributing to a nurturing educational setting.

Suffolk County Council

Contact Details:

Suffolk County Council Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Domestic Abuse Outreach Support 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 Suffolk County Council.

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 Suffolk County Council!

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 Suffolk County Council, 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 Suffolk County Council 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 Outreach Support Worker

Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Flexibility
Adaptability
Compassion
Organizational Skills
Teamwork

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 Suffolk County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Suffolk County Council! 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 Suffolk County Council

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.