Outreach Worker in Harrogate

Location: Leicester City, Leicestershire and Rutland

Working Hours: 29–33 hours per week (flexibility required)

Salary: £13.38 per hour

Company Overview: Our client is a domestic and sexual abuse charity based in Loughborough, Leicestershire. They provide support to men, women and children affected by domestic abuse and/or sexual violence across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

The Role: The position is part of the Lotus Service Team to provide an outreach support and information service to survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Responsibilities:

• Provide information, advice and options to enable service users to make informed decisions, including safety planning, legal rights and remedies and referrals to appropriate legal professionals, welfare benefits, housing options and tenancy issues, and education and leisure opportunities.
• Offer practical and emotional support by completing necessary documentation with service users, acting as an advocate in relation to benefits, maintenance payments, housing and legal matters, supporting access to refuge and court attendance, and supporting resettlement for those leaving refuge accommodation.
• Address tenancy and housing issues and support housing solutions.
• Work with statutory and voluntary agencies to reduce risk of homelessness and social or personal disruption due to domestic abuse.
• Deliver and/or lead group programmes such as Freedom Programme, Unbroken and Unbreakable.
• Support emotional wellbeing and refer to specialist agencies where appropriate.
• Complete, maintain and review accurate client records, including risk assessments and safety planning, needs assessments and Individual Support Plans (ISPs), ongoing reviews of risk and needs assessments, documented actions taken in response to assessments, accurate updating of computerised case management systems.
• Promote LWA and raise awareness of domestic abuse and sexual violence through talks, training, education and campaigns.
• Maintain confidentiality in all aspects of work including case records, correspondence, reports, databases and statistical information.
• Attend internal meetings to provide service updates, contribute to discussions and support service development.
• Collaboratively work as part of a team and contribute to the ongoing development of the Outreach Service.
• Maintain and develop effective working relationships with external agencies and make appropriate referrals to specialist services.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of domestic abuse, relevant legislation and best practice through training, reading and professional development.
• Attend internal/external training, meetings, conferences and forums as required or requested.
• Adhere to all organisational policies and procedures at all times.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably required to support the aims and objectives of the organisation and ensure effective service delivery.

Requirements:

• Understanding of domestic abuse and sexual violence and its impact on individuals and children.
• Experience (paid or unpaid) in a support and information service.
• Experience of working with or delivering group programmes.
• Basic empathy and a non-judgemental approach to survivors of abuse.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to write clear reports, case notes and letters with good grammar and punctuation.
• Understanding of accurate record keeping, risk assessments and data collection.
• Experience using IT systems including email and internet.
• Ability to manage a varied workload and work under pressure.
• Ability to work methodically and flexibly.
• Ability to use initiative and make appropriate decisions within set boundaries.
• Understanding of confidentiality requirements.
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with a wide range of people.
• Commitment to equal opportunities.
• Full driving licence, business insurance and ability to travel across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

What’s in It For You:

• Paid holidays, including public and religious holidays.
• Workplace Pension Scheme.
• Paid compassionate leave (up to five working days per year).
• Paid sickness leave after six months’ service (up to eight working weeks in any 12 months).
• Training and professional development opportunities, flexible working arrangements where possible.
• Regular supervision and support from your line manager.
• Opportunities to make a tangible difference in the lives of survivors.
• A supportive, collaborative, and passionate team environment.
• Meaningful and rewarding work within a specialist charity.

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