At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and young people affected by domestic abuse through creative and trauma-informed methods.
- Company: Join Women's Aid East and Midlothian, a feminist charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, 6 weeks annual leave, and ongoing training in a supportive environment.
- Other info: We welcome diverse applications and offer alternative formats for submissions.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young lives while working in a values-led, inclusive team.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and a strong understanding of domestic abuse is essential; passion is key!
The predicted salary is between 20800 - 22300 £ per year.
Women’s Aid East and Midlothian (WAEML) provides information, support and accommodation to women, children and young people who have been subjected to domestic abuse. If you can commit to upholding the rights of women, children and young people, this may be the job for you.
Location: You will be expected to travel across Midlothian and East Lothian, access to a car is preferred.
Hours: Flexible hours available although one shift must include Wednesday 9am – 4pm. We are interested in hearing from women who may be interested in a full time (35 hours) or working part time as a job share arrangement.
Salary: This post attracts a salary up to £27,911 per annum (this will be pro rata for job share); the salary scale is £25,951 - £27,911
Contract Fixed-term – 1 year, post will be extended subject to ongoing funding
Because children and young people deserve safety, voice, and freedom from fear.
At WAEML, we believe in a world where women and children can live free from domestic abuse and coercive control. We are a proudly feminist, anti-racist, LGBTQ+ inclusive charity led by values.
We’re looking for women to join our team as a Domestic Abuse Practitioner specialising in Children & Young People to work with young survivors, help them rebuild trust, and support their healing and growth.
Job Role
About the Role
As a Domestic Abuse Practitioner (Children & Young People), you’ll work directly with children and young people (CYP) who have been subjected to domestic abuse through specialist, trauma-informed support.
You will:
- Provide 1:1 and group-based support to CYP subjected to domestic abuse.
- Use play, creativity, and conversation to help CYP make sense of their experiences.
- Work closely with non-abusing parents/carers to strengthen family resilience and safety.
- Collaborate with schools, social work, and other agencies to build a safe network around each child.
- Keep safeguarding and survivor-led practice front and centre—always.
Who We’re Looking For
If you have the heart, the drive, and the commitment to feminist practice, we’ll support you to learn the rest. Whether you’re experienced in youth work, counselling, advocacy or social care—we want to hear from you.
Essentially, if you care deeply about young people and understand the impact of abuse through an intersectional lens—come talk to us.
You Bring:
- Experience working with children and young people in a supportive or safeguarding setting.
- A strong understanding of domestic abuse and its impact on children and families.
- A feminist, anti-oppressive approach to your work.
- Safeguarding knowledge (we’ll keep training you too).
- Emotional resilience, warmth, and curiosity.
- Creativity! Whether it’s art, sport, stories or slime—you\'re ready to meet young people where they’re at.
What You’ll Get:
- A feminist, values-led workplace where your voice matters.
- Regular supervision and reflective practice.
- Ongoing training and development.
- Flexible working options.
- The chance to genuinely change lives.
- 6 x weeks Annual leave (this is increased to 8 weeks following one year of service)
- Access to Cyle to Work scheme
- Day one employee rights including: sick pay, family friendly working environment, access to Westfield Health Policy an employee benefits scheme with access to optical cover, dental cover, counselling service and more
Ready to Apply?
We know formal applications can be a barrier.
If you’d prefer to have a conversation first, or need this advert in a different format, let us know. We welcome applications in different formats—video, audio, or CV and cover letter. Please take a look at our application pack and take care to cover all the points in our application form.
To apply, you can download our application pack from our website: (insert link).
Deadline: 10am Monday 21st July 2025.
Interviews: will be held in East Lothian on Monday 28th and Wednesday 30th July.
We’re a proudly feminist employer. We value lived experience and understand the ways that oppression and trauma shape people’s lives. We positively welcome applications from within all sections of the community although only women need apply under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010.
We’re especially keen to hear from:
- Black and racially minoritised applicants
- People with lived experience of domestic abuse (safely disclosed)
- Disabled and neurodivergent applicants
- Those newer to the sector who bring passion and potential
The application page will open in a new window.
#J-18808-LjbffrChildren & Young persons worker ( Domestic Abuse Practitioner) employer: Women's Aid East & Midlothian Limited
At Women's Aid East and Midlothian, we are dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for our employees, where your voice truly matters. With flexible working hours, ongoing training opportunities, and a strong commitment to feminist values, you will have the chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people affected by domestic abuse. Join us in a role that not only offers competitive benefits, including generous annual leave and employee health schemes, but also allows you to be part of a passionate team striving for social change across Midlothian and East Lothian.
Contact Details:
Women's Aid East & Midlothian Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children & Young persons worker ( Domestic Abuse Practitioner)
✨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 Women's Aid East & Midlothian Limited.
✨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 Women's Aid East & Midlothian Limited!
✨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 Women's Aid East & Midlothian Limited, 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 Women's Aid East & Midlothian Limited 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 Children & Young persons worker ( Domestic Abuse Practitioner)
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 Women's Aid East & Midlothian Limited:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Women's Aid East & Midlothian Limited! 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 Women's Aid East & Midlothian Limited
✨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.
