At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide emotional and practical support to women experiencing domestic abuse via a helpline.
- Company: Join a national charity dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic abuse.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, remote work, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Flexible hours with a focus on teamwork and community impact.
- Why this job: Empower women and help them navigate their challenges in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in domestic abuse support and understanding of trauma is essential.
Based: Remote
Rate: £14 PAYE / £18 umb
Start Date: ASAP
Duration: Temporary until January 2027
Hours: Full-time 35 hours per week, Monday – Sunday, work from home. 24-hour service - Rota Pattern including evenings, weekends and nights.
Our client, a national Domestic Abuse charity, is looking for several Helpline Advisors to join their team providing high-quality, empowering, emotional and practical support, assistance and information to women and those supporting them, who contact the Freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline.
Synopsis of duties:
- To participate in answering helpline calls and online communication inquiries on a 24-hour rota system, responding to women experiencing domestic violence and other forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG), and family and friends supporting them, by providing trauma-informed emotional support and practical help, led by the caller’s needs.
- To support and advise other professionals in their delivery of services to women experiencing domestic abuse and liaise with agencies on behalf of callers as necessary, including searching for vacancies and making referrals to women’s refuges when needed.
- To work in partnership with other agencies to contribute to the design of interventions and plans which protect survivors and their children whilst maintaining an independent role on behalf of the survivors, keeping their safety central to the plans.
- To provide independent assessment, advice and support across all facets of domestic abuse, whether physical, psychological, emotional, financial or controlling behaviour, by informing women of the dynamics around these behaviours and providing callers with information about the laws and services that exist to support and protect women.
- To provide one-to-one support and safety planning to high-risk women, often at the point of crisis.
- To establish the risks to and the needs of survivors of domestic violence and other forms of violence and abuse, by providing practical and emotional support and non-directive safety planning, and appropriate signposting.
- To ensure that any issues in relation to safeguarding children or vulnerable adults are brought to the immediate attention of the service manager or on-call manager.
- To listen and assess each interaction individually to ensure the support and assistance given to callers is appropriate and of the highest standard.
- To manage high call and response volumes, ensuring continuity of service levels and use best judgment and practices to manage time effectively.
- To maintain up-to-date knowledge of women’s rights and entitlements when fleeing domestic abuse, including but not limited to civil and criminal law, housing, benefits, and other relevant legal measures.
- To maintain up-to-date knowledge of resources and services for women fleeing domestic abuse, both statutory and voluntary.
- To ensure a quality service is given to women regardless of class/culture/language/religion, or sexual orientation; to speak with callers via Language Line when needed.
- To recognise, respect and address the needs of service-users who face particular barriers when seeking help to access the advocacy service, including those from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, LGBT communities, disabled people and other hard-to-reach groups.
- To respond and provide high-quality support and advice to women, families and professionals via additional platforms and communication methods, notably web forms and live webchat, where safe and appropriate to do so and maintain appropriate records.
- To ensure helpline database records are completed accurately and promptly.
- To contribute to the ongoing evaluation of the Helpline service.
- To ensure systems of information and dissemination are of a high standard, ensuring callers receive quality support and referral services.
- To undertake efficient handover and debriefing after each shift (e.g. update on referrals, admissions, vacancies) and ensure relevant information and issues are passed.
Essential Requirements:
- In-depth knowledge and understanding of the issues facing women who have experienced domestic violence and abuse and/or sexual violence.
- An understanding of the impact of multiple, intersecting oppressions (e.g., sexism, racism, homophobia, ableism, etc) and the consequent barriers for some survivors of domestic abuse to accessing services.
- Knowledge and understanding of trauma and trauma symptoms.
- At least two years’ experience working within the domestic abuse sector (desirable).
- Experience in conducting needs and risk assessments.
- Experience in providing needs-led support to clients with a variety of support needs.
- Experience in building and maintaining partnerships with other agencies.
- DBS dated within the last 6 months or on the update service.
Domestic Abuse Helpline Advisor in Walsall employer: Supporting Futures Consulting Ltd
As a leading national Domestic Abuse charity, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values the well-being and professional growth of our team. Our remote work culture fosters flexibility and inclusivity, allowing you to make a meaningful impact while balancing your personal life. With comprehensive training, ongoing support, and opportunities for career advancement, joining us as a Domestic Abuse Helpline Advisor means becoming part of a compassionate community dedicated to empowering survivors and making a difference in their lives.
Contact Details:
Supporting Futures Consulting Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Domestic Abuse Helpline Advisor in Walsall
✨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 Supporting Futures Consulting Ltd.
✨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 Supporting Futures Consulting Ltd!
✨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 Supporting Futures Consulting Ltd, 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 Supporting Futures Consulting Ltd 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 Helpline Advisor in Walsall
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 Supporting Futures Consulting Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Supporting Futures Consulting Ltd! 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 Supporting Futures Consulting Ltd
✨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.
