Multiple Disadvantage Refuge Worker

This job description may change to reflect changing requirements of the role.

The Role

Multiple Disadvantage refuge workers provide specialist support services to women with multiple needs, who have experienced domestic, or sexual violence and who have mental illness or use substances problematically.

You will work as part of the Refuge Team to enhance provision to women who may face additional barriers to accessing refuge or maintaining their space in supported accommodation. This role will be located over two boroughs, and you will have a small caseload across several sites. You will undertake risk assessments, safety plans and identify support needs in relation to move on such as accessing benefits, setting up utilities, budgeting, ensuring safety measures are in place and to support them to maintain their tenancy. You will provide solution focused casework, whilst ensuring the service users voice is heard throughout. Providing support with life skills and practical support in relation to skills that may not yet have been developed.

You will enhance the refuge service by providing ad hoc advice and capacity building for the refuge team in working with women who experience additional disadvantage. You will contribute to the smooth running of the refuge, including admissions of survivors. You will work with women to devise a support plan that meets their immediate practical and emotional needs and starts the process of recovery, linking women into more specialist support services where required. You will assist your colleagues with the smooth running of the refuge ensuring that rents and service charges are paid, rooms are available, organising repairs and responding to crisis situations.

Accountabilities

Provide Solution-focused casework interventions with women who have experienced VAWG and severe and multiple disadvantage

Provide emotional support using a trauma informed approach

Ensure ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with service users within an attitude of positive risk taking

Provide support with life skills, including practical assistance where skills are not yet developed

Maintain accurate case notes and up to date records

Contribute to the completion of outcomes reports and funding returns when required

Complete risk assessments and safety and support planning to meet the individual needs of service users

Build and maintain supportive relationships with women, empowering them to access services

Involve service users in the design, development and delivery of the service

Promote coordinated, joined-up service delivery for service users between violence against women services and drug and alcohol agencies, mental health, housing, health and legal agencies.

Attend and contribute to MARAC as appropriate

Be self-motivated to research processes and services in order to fully support and advocate for the women.

Attend regular supervision sessions with your Line Manager.

Values, Behaviours & Competencies

Committed to the purpose of Solace Women s Aid, ensuring that the service user is at the heart of service delivery and development

Feminist in understanding Violence against Women and Girls

Committed to fostering innovation and continuous improvement in working practice

Flexible and open to new challenges, ideas and experiences, and able to be self-reflective

Committed to understanding diversity and ensuring anti-discriminatory practice is applied in all forms of our work

Non-judgemental with a commitment to self-care within the team

Collaborative, building relationships with internal and external partners.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Experience of Working with Survivors of Domestic abuse who are multi disadvantaged in various ways or similar client group

Experience of working in a multi disadvantage setting

Experience of multi-agency partnership working.

Experience of working managing risk and following case management procedures to meet the needs of a diverse and vulnerable client group

In depth understanding of domestic and sexual abuse and its effect on women and children

A good understanding of confidentiality and professional boundaries

An understanding of, and commitment to, Equal Opportunities and diversity

Ability to provide an effective key working service to women affected by domestic abuse

Effective interpersonal and group work skills

Ability to prioritise own work plan and work to deadlines

Ability to operate and maintain basic administrative and financial systems

Ability to provide accurate reports and record information

Proficient use of Microsoft Office Packages

Qualifications

DAPA/IDVA/ISVA qualification desirable