Job Details:
Domestic Abuse Worker – Refuge (12 month FTC)

Job Description

Dear, Idea makers, Boundary Pushers, Problem Solvers, and Forward Thinkers! Are you looking for a rewarding role where every day is different?

The Pankhurst Trust brings together Manchester Women’s Aid and the Pankhurst Centre. We work together to ensure the story of the women who won the vote continue to inspire us all, and to ensure that those suffering from domestic violence and abuse get the confidential help they need. We are a group of female champions, empowering women across Manchester and beyond.

If you have a big heart and take pride in making a difference, you may have just stumbled upon your dream role!

But first, what’s in it for you?

• A competitive starting salary of £23,483 per annum 
• A flexible working week of 35 hours
• A generous annual leave entitlement of 25 days plus bank holidays 
• The opportunity to purchase additional annual leave
• Enhanced sick pay, and family leave and pay
• Above market average pension
• A fully funded Enhanced DBS check
• An Employee Assistance programme to support your wellbeing, along with external clinical supervisions where applicable
• Investment and commitment to your ongoing Training and Development
• If that wasn’t enough, we’ll also celebrate your Birthday with you (after a qualifying period) and let you take the day off, as well as allowing one day a year of paid volunteering.

As a 12-Month Fixed Term Contract Domestic Abuse Worker (Refuge based) you will be responsible for identifying and meeting the emotional and practical support needs of victims of domestic violence and abuse referred into the Pankhurst Trust (Incorporating Manchester Women’s Aid). Our Domestic Abuse Workers advocate on the behalf of women, and provide structured support to enable them to start their journey of recovery, to include the delivery of group work across the city which women can access, as well as supporting women to step down to support from the groups and peer mentors as appropriate. The 12-Month Fixed Term Contract, Domestic Abuse worker ( Refuge based) will be responsible for the delivery of the family experience in one of our multiple occupancy refuge properties.

The responsibilities of the role include:

• Formulating, and reviewing progress, against individual support plans through encouraging service users to set realistic goals, whilst supporting them to make and implement informed decisions regarding their futures.
• Ensuring that client records are input onto PTMWA’s information case management system and that all case files are kept up to date and accurately recorded.
• Accompany service users, where appropriate, to appointments and meetings with other support services or agencies, including GP surgeries, solicitors and to attend meetings such as Core Groups to support their family.
• Undertaking assessment of high-risk applicants in conjunction with the Project Manager and external agencies for available bed spaces. 
• Checking eligibility and criteria of new referrals and completing initial safety planning and risk assessments.
• Providing a comprehensive induction to new refuge residents including an explanation of Health and safety requirements, tenancy rules and the licence agreement.
• Supporting with the move on programme, preparing tenants for moving on from the refuge, supporting individuals to arrange viewings of potential properties and signing up for new tenancies etc
• Supporting former residents with resettlement in their new homes for up to 4 weeks, ensuring they have everything in place to maintain a safe, secure tenancy
• Collecting weekly personal charge from all refuge residents and ensure the Housing and Financial Abuse Worker is kept aware of all payments received.
• Providing evening cover on a rota basis.

To be successful as a Domestic Abuse Worker (Refuge based) you will need to:

• Have GCSE grade A-C or equivalent in a minimum of Mathematics and English 
• Have a relevant professional qualification, for example Health and Social Care Level Three, or equivalent experience
• Have recent significant experience of undertaking direct work with vulnerable people including experience of working with people affected by domestic and sexual abuse in a 1:1 or group setting.
• Have experience of carrying out risk assessments, needs assessments and support planning.
• Have an excellent level of understanding of the impact of domestic abuse on individuals and families.
• Have a good level of literacy, numeracy, and IT skills.
• Effectively communicate with a range of people who might not speak English as a first language both on a 1:1 basis and a group basis.
• This role may involve some work across different refuge sites. Whilst not an essential requirement due to excellent public transport links within the city, access to your own transportation may be beneficial.

We encourage applications from all sections of the community as we want to reflect the neighbourhoods in which we work. This is a fabulous opportunity to work with some wonderful teams and truly inspiring women, and as such, please note that this role has been assessed and confirmed as open to women only under the Equality Act 2010, schedule 9, part 1. It is also important to note that we support, in some circumstances, the principle of providing single sex services which are lawful under the Equality Act 2010. PTMWA will treat trans/non-binary people according to the gender identity in which they present themselves, but will also maintain and promote the need for single-sex services in some settings.

If you require any of our recruitment material in alternative formats please let us know.

If you are passionate about working with vulnerable women as a Domestic Abuse Worker (Refuge based), then apply NOW!