Domestic Abuse Support Worker

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Support Worker to join our Tower Hamlets Domestic Abuse Service.

£24,856.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week. Benefits include 25 days Annual Leave, pension schemes, staff discounts, healthcare and career progression.

Want to feel like you're part of one team? You'll feel at home here.
Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.
We are recruiting a Full time Support Worker for our Look Ahead refuge to support and empower women to move on successfully with their lives.

The service supports 15 women with/out children in self contained units. The aim of the service is to support women to rebuild their lives following a period of abuse, preparing them to move on within a 6 month period to an accommodation type of their choice either in or out of borough.

We are looking to recruit a full-time, enthusiastic and energetic customer focused Support worker to join our service and dynamic team. Support workers deliver support along side the in house Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) to address the safety of victims, survivors at high risk of harm and to equip women with the tools to move on within the allocated period.

The role requires some flexibility as the post holder will work shifts on a 40 hours shared rota which includes weekend's shifts and out of hours on call rota.

This role requires a valid Right to Work for the UK as Look Ahead are not a sponsoring organisation.

What you'll do:

* Undertake key-working responsibilities for a caseload assigned by the service Manager
* To empower and support women and children in the refuge to keep safe and move on successfully with their lives
* Complete DASH Risk Assessments, conduct comprehensive and regular customer risk assessments to ensure their safety and wellbeing
* Create support/action plans for providing appropriate services based on the assessment and reflecting the services and resources available
* Provide practical assistance to support customers to work towards the goals in their support plan (e.g. supporting benefits applications, attending medical appointments and appointments with external agencies
* Work flexibly, supporting each customer to exercise choice and control over their support and the wider service they receive
* Develop and maintain links with all key agencies and service providers in the local community
* Liaise with external agencies such as the Police, MARAC, Social Services and GPs
* Work in partnership with involved agencies and stakeholders to deliver coordinated, responsive support
* Help customers to integrate into their local area and access local educational, social, wellbeing and community activities, resources and opportunities
* Carry out duties as required to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of customers and fellow colleagues
* Monitor rent account, encourage and enable tenants to pay their rent and to ensure that rent accounts are managed effectively in conjunction with the Housing Management team
* 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
* Knowledge of the criminal justice system. Understanding of MARAC protocols
* Encouraging customers to attend relevant programmes when appropriate i.e. Freedom Programme /Recovery Toolkit to support successful move on
* Ensure Look Ahead Health and Safety policies are adhered to at all times and to uphold all health and safety responsibilities within relevant policies and local protocols
* Adhere to all the policies and procedures of Look Ahead Care & Support plus those specific to the project including any statutory requirements

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
About you:

* Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
* Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour
* Prefers working as part of a group or team
* Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
* Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised
* Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments
* Is confident with high levels of self-esteem
* Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
* Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude
* Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviour

What you'll bring:

Essential:

* NVQ Level 2 or equivalent or experience within charity/social care sector

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