Refuge Support Worker

We're looking for a kind, empathetic and resilient Female Refuge Support Worker to join our Homelessness and Complex needs Service in Tower Hamlets. We work with a trauma-informed, survivor led framework with intersectional feminism at the core. The Tower Hamlets Domestic Abuse Service provides emergency accommodation to women and children fleeing domestic and sexual violence. As a refuge support worker you will provide emotional and practical support, such as legal options, housing, benefits and signposting.

You will risk assess and develop safety and support plans with survivors at the centre. The role is 32 hours per week. The post is restricted to females only due to the nature of the role. The occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (Part
1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies. The ideal candidate will have in-depth knowledge of domestic abuse and its impact on women and their children, as well as experience of providing emotional and practical support to victims of domestic and sexual violence. Experience of risk assessments and case management is essential. You will have a working knowledge of the available legal remedies, housing and welfare benefits.

The role will also involve housing management such as health and safety checks, living standard checks and reporting repairs. Due to the Clients and the nature of this role, this position is for Women only. This is a fixed term contract until March 2027 with possibility of extension.

• Manage customer referrals, completing Dash Risk Assessments and obtaining and maintaining all relevant paperwork
• Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere.
• Oversee On Track implementation from an operational perspective during the initial upload of cases to ensure that any issues are highlighted to management.
• Conducting regular Keyword sessions with each survivor.
• Working proactively with other members of the team to handle the service caseload and administrative responsibilities
• Supporting customers to set personalised goals in the form of a Safety and Support Plan.
• Assisting in the recording and reporting of customer incidents.
• Safety planning with customers.
• Developing productive relationships with partner organisations to improve service outcomes.
• Adhering to lone working protocols and maintaining high levels of awareness in relation to the health and safety of yourself and colleagues.

• Knowledge of the impact of domestic and sexual abuse on women and children
• Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour
• Experience conducting risk assessments and safety plans
• Ability to keep on top of casework admin and prioritise tasks.
• Experience working with survivors of domestic abuse
• Understanding of the impact of domestic abuse on survivors and their children
• A trauma-informed approach to support
• Experience conducting risk assessments and producing person-centred safety and support plans

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead.

• Experience of working in a residential setting
• Experience of delivering domestic abuse recovery programmes
• Experience of coproducing delivery outcomes and gathering evidence in accordance with them

£22,400.00 per annum, working 32 hours per week.

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• Free DBS
• Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
• Fully paid induction programme and further training
• ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
• Cycle to work scheme