Women???s Support Worker

Job Description

RECRUITMENTiQ is working in partnership with a well-known charity thatprovides specialist responsive domestic abuse services to women, children, and young people who have been impacted by domestic abuse, who are at risk of experiencing domestic abuse, orwho are seeking to escape.We recognise the complex issues that exacerbate their needs; LGBT, BME, No Recourse to Public Funds, Alcohol/Drug dependencies, Mental Health, Socioeconomic disadvantages, Poverty, and Disability (this list is not exhaustive). Our purpose is to provide person-centredholistic services; underpinned by a feminist/gendered analysis of domestic abuse.We are looking to recruit a Womens Support Worker to work within Airdrie & Coatbridge.The RoleThe role is to provide proactive, short, medium, and long-term support to women who have or are experiencing domestic abuse. You will work within the refuge and in a multi-agency framework, focusing on survivors of domestic abuse. Your role will be to workwith women living in our refuge accommodation, maintenance, and general upkeep of refuge accommodation.Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Routine maintenance and general up-keep of MKWA refuge accommodation, including health & safety checks, regular welfare visits, completion of inventories, and ensuring that the refugees remain comfortable with a good level of hygiene and cleanliness atall times.
• Provide high-quality practical and emotional support and, if necessary, life skills to women living in MKWA refuge accommodation.
• Report, repair or rectify faulty equipment or damage.
• Prompt turn-over of refuge accommodation to allow quick access for new referrals into the refuge.
• Receive and record referralsfrom Police, Social Work, Health, or other partner agencies.
• Contact the survivor where appropriate and safe to do so, to offer crisis intervention, information, and support following a referral.
• Focussing on high-risk victims, provide a proactive-, short-, medium- and long-term service based on the care pathway and incorporating risk assessment and safety planning.
• Provide information about the criminal justice process and ensure the survivor is informed of their rights, options, and services offering practical and emotional support on an emergency and ongoing basis.
• Support the survivor to identify and take action to address any concerns they may have for their safety or well-being and their children (if any)while ensuring adherence to existing child protection procedures in line with oursafety planning framework.
• Liaise with other agencies at appropriate intervals to ensure the safety and support needs of survivors and their children (if any) are being addressed.
• Alert the appropriate line manager of the need for referral to a process underpinned by MARAC principals, participate in, and contribute to meetings as directed.
• Provide support services to MARAC meetings as directed by the Management team.
• Follow up on specific actions designated to Monklands Womens Aid from the MARAC.
• Keep the Management Team informed of problems and successes to enable troubleshooting where needed and to highlight strategic issues arising.
• Maintain accurate service user records and make this information available to the Management team and partner agencies, while ensuring adherence to multi-agency information procedures and protocols. These protocols will take into account Data ProtectionLegislation and Confidentiality Policy.
• Be involved in the development and delivery of a safe and sensitive process for gathering and disseminating the views of survivors referred us.
• Prepare and present verbal and written reports as directed by the management team.
• Participate in multi-agency working groups/ focus groups etc as directed by the management team.
• Keep up to date on relevant research, legislation and policy development, etc, and ensure that practice is informed by recent developments in the field of domestic abuse.
• Adhere to the IDVA Charter, our ethos, and to policies and procedures governing the delivery of our services as determined by management.
• Undertake any other duties as requested by the Management team.
• This is not an exhaustive list of duties and you will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your changing role within the organisation and the overall business objectives of the organisation.

Essential Skills, Qualifications, and Experience

• Under Schedule 9 (Part 1) of the Equality Act 2010, only women are eligible to apply
• Hold SVQ2 or SVQ3 Health & Social Care/or equivalent qualification.
• Proven track record in providing direct support for survivors of abuse including crisis intervention, information, and support
• Sound understanding of the impact of Gendered Analysis of Domestic Abuse and how it affects children, families, and communities
• Commitment to the feminist values of empowerment and equality
• Sound understanding of current legislation and Best Practices in relation to Domestic Abuse including independent advocacy, risk assessment, and safety planning
• Experience in working with a range of partners to provide appropriate and relevant services
• Knowledge of benefits system
• Ability to advocate on the service users behalf
• Ability to work with survivors around risk assessment and safety planning
• Strong crisis management skills
• Demonstrated commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice frameworks
• Knowledge of Adult and Child Protection issues and legal responsibilities
• Driving Licence and access to a vehicle

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Relevant/appropriate qualifications, for example, counselling skills, womens studies Safelives IDAA
• Experience in the provision and coordination of services for survivors in the criminal justice process
• Experience in working within a MARAC process
• Experience in OASIS Case Management system
• Second language

This is a great opportunity for an energetic and driven individual with the ability to adapt quickly. We would also value if you were flexible, reliable, patient, and sensitive. You will have a chance to forge and develop a career and receive ongoing support.To apply, please send your CV and a short note of why you are the right candidate.