At a Glance
- Tasks: Support women and children in a refuge, providing essential advice and guidance.
- Company: Birmingham & Solihull Women's Aid, dedicated to helping vulnerable individuals.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, training opportunities, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Flexible hours with on-call responsibilities; great for those seeking meaningful work.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and empower women and children in need.
- Qualifications: Experience in support work and a commitment to safeguarding.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Refuge Project Worker Solihull
POST
Refuge Project Worker Solihull
HOURS OF WORK
37 hours* (some out of hours & on call work will be required, you will be required to participate in a 24 hours on call rota)
SALARY
£31, 537
JOB PURPOSE
- To assist the refuge manager in the day-to-day running of the refuge, developing and delivering a front line service offering support, advice and guidance to women and their children living in the refuge.
*BSWA provides safe secure accommodation to some of the most vulnerable women and children therefore in order to ensure we provide maximum support and safety it is essential that our service is available to them 24/7.
We do this through operating an on-site rota that covers weekends, evenings and bank holidays as well as a 24 hour call out system.
RESPONSIBLE TO
The Refuge Manager
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- ADMINISTRATION
- To work within BSWA’s administrative and financial systems.
- To ensure that adequate records are kept for all service users.
- To keep accurate records of financial transitions in line with BSWA’s procedures.
- To ensure that Health and Safety records are kept up to date.
- To monitor and evaluate the refuge service via various methods including feedback from service users and by producing statistical information.
- To keep inventories of all refuge contents.
- To contribute where appropriate to the preparation of returns for funders.
- SUPPORT WORK
- To produce and regularly review Individual Support Plans (ISP) for each service user, in conjunction with the service user.
- To recognise women and children’s individual needs and refer to specialist agencies where necessary as part of their ISP.
- To identify the needs of women and children leaving BSWA refuge after being offered permanent accommodation.
- To identify and make links with existing projects and community services and to develop joint services where appropriate.
- To ensure the primary needs of residents are met. This includes medical, financial, housing, legal and education rights.
- To organise activities and celebrations in the refuge for women and children which raise self-esteem, bring people together and broaden awareness.
- To assist women in making claims for any welfare benefits that they may be entitled to.
- To ensure that appropriate applications are made for re-housing.
- To accompany women as appropriate and agreed by your line manager, to case conferences and meetings that may affect their own and/or their children’s welfare.
- To make representations, as appropriate and agreed by your line manager, to external bodies in support of women and children.
- To keep the refuge ‘welcome pack’ up-to-date.
- Devise and implement appropriate methods of communication with women and children living in refuge, in agreement with your line manager.
- COMMUNICATION
- To ensure that all staff team members are aware of any matters that are relevant to the welfare and security of the refuge, staff, volunteers and service users by:
- a) maintaining BSWA communication records
- b) following safety procedures
- c) carrying out risk assessments in conjunction with your line manager
- d) attending team and project meetings
- To attend in-house training.
- To attend support and supervision sessions with your line manager.
- To participate in multi-agency work and to develop a professional working relationship with external agencies.
- To contribute towards your project’s quarterly Management Committee report.
- To be involved in the Annual Review process.
- PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
- To take referrals and welcome women and children into the refuge.
- To ensure that the appropriate agreements related to tenancies are completed.
- To ensure that the appropriate agreements related to support are completed.
- To ensure that the refuge revenue is collected by completing housing benefit forms and all personal contributions are collected on a weekly basis, in advance.
- To report to your line manager any difficulties in relation to the collection of rent and other charges.
- To ensure that any house rules are read and understood by new tenants and that all residents comply with them.
- TRAINING
- To identify and attend training relevant to the post in agreement with your line manager.
- To work alongside colleagues to organise in-house training and information sessions on a range of issues for service users.
- To raise awareness of the impact of domestic violence on women and children and of the BSWA services.
- GENERAL
- To maintain the confidentiality of the women, young people and children using the service and in all matters relating to the organisation.
- To offer an equal service to all women and children regardless of age, class, culture, language, race, religion and sexual orientation, adhering to BSWA’s framework for equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.
- To maintain an awareness of the issues surrounding domestic violence on a national and local level with a particular reference to those of relevance to refuge work.
- To adhere to Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures, and Adult Safeguarding procedures throughout.
- To ensure the efficient use of resources at all times.
- To support volunteers in the delivery of BSWA services.
- To work within BSWA policies and procedures and demonstrate a commitment to the values and ethos of BSWA.
- To participate in the development and annual appraisal of a personal individual development plan with the line manager.
- To participate in 24 hour on call cover and provide emergency cover.
- To undertake any other duties required by BSWA, which may arise incidentally, develop, or be assigned commensurate with the post.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is at 12 noon on Wednesday 9th September.
Interviews will take place weeks commencing 21stand 28th September.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Refuge Project Worker Solihull Birmingham & Solihull Women's Aid employer: Women's Aid Federation of England
The Women's Aid Federation of England is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the communities they serve. Located in Preston, this role provides unique opportunities for professional growth in the field of domestic abuse support, alongside benefits such as exclusive discounts and health support, ensuring that staff are well-equipped to make a meaningful impact in the lives of high-risk victims.
Contact Details:
Women's Aid Federation of England Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Refuge Project Worker Solihull Birmingham & Solihull Women's Aid
✨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 Federation of England.
✨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 Federation of England!
✨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 Federation of England, 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 Federation of England 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 Refuge Project Worker Solihull Birmingham & Solihull Women's Aid
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 Federation of England:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Women's Aid Federation of England! 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 Federation of England
✨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.
