Specialist Domestic Abuse Support Worker

Specialist 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.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the gender-specific nature of this role, applications can only be accepted from women candidates. This includes all women whose legal gender is female, including those who hold a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). Gender is considered to be a genuine occupational requirement in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

SALARY: £29,000 per annum Benefits

JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Permanent

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

LOCATION: Bexhill, East Sussex

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 these can be, Mental Health, Homelessness, Offending Behaviour and Substance Misuse, and who has the desire to work towards becoming a specialist Domestic Support Worker.

As the Specialist 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 Specialist Domestic Abuse Support Worker you 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

Specialist Domestic Abuse Support Worker duties:

• Facilitate 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

• Responsible for completing assessment of need and risk and supporting survivors to reduce risk

• Develop care plans to ensure each survivor has a bespoke plan to meet their needs

• Work within the premises in accordance with DAHA accreditation standards and support the organisation to achieve DAHA accreditation status

• Work collaboratively with a range of partner agencies to support survivors to access services particular to their needs

• Work with survivors and the MCN housing officer to ensure that Enhanced Housing benefit applications are accurately completed and submitted

• Work as part of a small team, engaging with residents to plan, arrange and deliver/co deliver structured activities to support the resident’s safe re-integration into the community

• Work in a trauma informed way

• Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with colleagues, residents, Offender Managers, and other agencies

• To use PMVA (Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression) techniques when necessary to manage challenging behaviours and ensure the safety of all residents

• De-escalate situations when necessary, remaining calm and applying conflict resolution strategies

• Provide practical assistance to residents with everyday tasks such as accessing external services, completing paperwork, accessing benefits, and finding move on accommodation

• Provide support to enable residents to deal with problems and become independent

• Promote support to individual in activities in the local community

• Bring to the attention of your line manager any behaviour which is likely to cause detriment to others / danger to the individual themselves

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

• 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.