Domestic Abuse Support Worker

AWD online; Eastbourne, Eastbourne; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job description

Domestic Abuse Support Worker who has experience supporting survivors of domestic abuse who present with multiple and compound needs these can be, Mental Health, Homelessness, Offending Behaviour and Substance Misuse is required for a well-established organisation based in East Sussex.

If you’re a specialist already then great. But we are very interested in hearing from people who are willing to work towards becoming a specialist.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the gender specific nature of this role, applications can only be accepted from women candidates. Gender is considered to be a genuine occupational requirement in accordance with paragraph 1 of Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010.

JOB TYPE: Full-Time and Part-Time, Permanent Positions Available

FULL-TIME SALARY: £29,000 per annum + Benefits

PART-TIME SALARY: £20,173 per annum + Benefits

FULL-TIME WORKING HOURS: Working 12 hour days (including half an hour unpaid break), 4 on 4 off, 8 am to 8pm

PART-TIME WORKING HOURS: Working 4 on, 4 off 8.5 hours per shift including half an hour unpaid break daily. (average hours 28 hours per week)

LOCATION: Due to the sensitive nature of the role the company will discuss the location of the site in more detail during the interview process.

JOB OVERVIEW

We have a fantastic new job opportunity for a Domestic Abuse Support Worker who has experience supporting survivors of domestic abuse who present with multiple and compound needs including Mental Health, Homelessness, Offending Behaviour and Substance Misuse, and who has the desire to work towards becoming a specialist Domestic Support Worker.

As the Domestic Abuse Support Worker, you will ensure service is delivered to residents of a 10-bedroom refuge and to survivors living in the community. Core outcomes are the engagement of survivors in services to meet their needs, increased safety, access to secure, settled accommodation and provision of knowledge and skills to live a healthy, safe life.

Working as the Domestic Abuse Support Worker you will be responsible for providing delivery which includes needs and risk assessment and a range of programmes, groups and key-work sessions within the premises, and the community as well as outreach and follow on support from point of survivor exit from the residential element of the service.

DUTIES

Your duties as a Domestic Abuse Support Worker include:

• Facilitating a supportive, enabling environment for residents through interaction with survivors, managers, East Sussex County Council MCN team partner and through a comprehensive understanding of the requirements presented by those with MCN.
• Completing assessment of need and risk and supporting survivors to reduce risk.
• Development of care plans to ensure each survivor has a bespoke plan to meet their needs.
• Working within the premises in accordance with DAHA accreditation standards and supporting the organisation to achieve DAHA accreditation status.
• Collaborating with a range of partner agencies to support survivors to access services particular to their needs.
• Undertaking training relevant to the role as required by the Service Manager.
• Working with survivors and the MCN housing officer to ensure that Enhanced Housing benefit applications are accurately completed and submitted.
• Engaging with residents to plan, arrange and deliver/co-deliver structured activities to support the resident’s safe re-integration into the community.
• Working in a trauma informed way.
• Ensuring that adequate information and records are kept including daily logs of support.
• Establishing and maintaining an effective working relationship with colleagues, residents, Offender Managers, and other agencies.
• Providing a safe environment related to health and safety in the workplace.
• Using PMVA (Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression) techniques when necessary to manage challenging behaviours and ensure the safety of all residents.
• De-escalating situations when necessary, remaining calm and applying conflict resolution strategies effectively.
• Providing practical assistance to residents with everyday tasks such as accessing external services, completing paperwork, accessing benefits, and finding move on accommodation.
• Enabling residents to deal with problems and become independent.
• Promoting support to individuals in activities in the local community where possible.
• Bringing to the attention of your line manager any behaviour which is likely to cause detriment to others / danger to the individual themselves.
• Maintaining records and files as required, including data entry as necessary and contributing to the completion of incident reports.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

Essential

• Due to the gender specific nature of this role, applications can only be accepted from women candidates. Gender is considered to be a genuine occupational requirement in accordance with paragraph 1 of Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010.
• Comprehensive understanding of multiple compound needs.
• A good working knowledge of domestic abuse and in particular, survivor’s experience.
• A comprehensive understanding of the requirements of working in a residential environment.
• Experience of working in an environment with complex and challenging delivery needs.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of principles underpinning effective delivery of services that meets the needs of vulnerable and complex women.
• Clear understanding of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.
• Experience of coaching and team development.
• An understanding of risk management, safeguarding and public protection and its implication on practice, within a residential setting.
• First Aid Qualified or willing to undertake and maintain the qualification.
• An understanding of the benefits system, particularly relating to housing.

Desirable

• Experience of managing a residential service.
• Experience of processing benefit claims.
• Understanding of the housing needs of survivors.
• Social Work qualification.

This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check. All required checks will be undertaken as part of the pre-employment process for any successful candidate.

The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share and uphold this commitment in conjunction with the requirements of the Prevent Duty and the positive promotion of modern British values.

CLOSING DATE: 27^th May 2025

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered for this job vacancy, please submit your CV to our Recruitment Team who will review your details. CV’s of Job Applicants meeting this requirement will be submitted to our Client for consideration. By submitting your job application to us you are hereby giving us your express consent to submit your details to our Client for this purpose.

JOB REF: AWDO-P13319