Job Description

Position available with or without apprenticeship opportunity

Please email recruitment@cornwallrefuge.org for more information.

Applications will not be accepted without an application form.

Responsible to The Senior Refuge Support Worker

Hours

9.00 am to 5.30 pm

Weekdays as agreed.

Salary

27,803.65 - 31,264.45 per annum.

(14.22 - 15.99) per hour

Holidays

28 days inclusive of public/bank holidays (pro-rata). Annual leave entitlement increases by one day for each completed year of service as at 1 April up to a maximum of 38 days (pro-rata) after 10 completed years inclusive of public/bank holidays.

Probationary period

6 months, with interim review after 3 months.

Duration of post

Permanent, subject to continuation of funding.

AIMS OF THE POST:

Working within the team, to be responsible for:

Offering emotional and practical support to residents appointed to your case load. Answering the Domestic Abuse helpline, offering information, advice and signposting support to people impacted by domestic abuse. Carrying out administrative, monitoring and reporting tasks as necessary. Working to and participating in evaluation and review of the organisation's policies and practices. Reporting statistical data regarding families supported in refuge and via Helpline. Ensuring the wellbeing and safety of all residents and callers to the helpline. Support with the day today running of the refuge project, including the premises. Working alongside the volunteer supervisor in providing opportunities for refuge volunteers.
TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To attend day shifts at either refuge as required:

1.1.

Taking initial requests and referrals from potential clients and ensuring suitability for services offered in line with CRT policies and procedures.

1.2.

Provide information and support to residents on your case load.

1.3.

Arrange safe accommodation, in refuge or elsewhere, including referring on to statutory and other voluntary agencies.

1.4.

Admit new residents, settling in, ensuring room is clean and equipped, completing paperwork and statistics working with the Senior Refuge Support Worker.

1.5.

Attend to helpline calls as required.

1.6.

Make initial assessment of needs, supporting emotional needs; ensure access to other CRT services, especially children's and counselling services.

1.7.

Follow up and regularly review and record support needs.

1.8.

Work with other relevant agencies as appropriate, offering information and support with legal issues, child& adult safeguarding issues, health, housing, benefits entitlements, schools and playgroups, adult education, child contact with absent parent, etc.

1.9.

Ensure that house rules on safety, confidentiality and comfort are maintained.

1.10.

Collect weekly charges and laundry money.

1.11.

Complete weekly Health & Safety Checks of the premises as required.

1.12.

Complete monthly Health & Safety checks of the premises as required.

1.13.

Keep CRT case management system updated in respect of daily records of each resident's progress and support needs, sharing information with colleagues as required and during daily handovers.

1.14.

Assist residents in finding move-on temporary or permanent accommodation.

1.15.

Helping to facilitate monthly house meetings.

1.16.

Working with the Volunteer Supervisor to give direction and support to volunteers within the refuge and the outreach / resettlement projects.

1.17.

Ensure that the house is safe and secure in line with health and safety policies and procedures and reporting and arranging repairs for any maintenance issues as required.

2. General Team Duties

2.1.

Participate in regular staff meetings and occasional residents' meetings.

2.2.

Undertake additional small projects, with or without colleagues, as agreed.

2.3.

Report on work to colleagues, management and funders, as required, verbally or in writing.

2.4.

Attend regular supervision and appraisal with Senior Refuge Support Worker.

2.5.

Undertake training where appropriate, reporting back to colleagues as required.

2.6.

Represent the organisation at external meetings from time to time.

2.7.

Observe and uphold all policies, including confidentiality, health and safety, child safeguarding, equal opportunities, service user consultation, and any others developed from time to time.

2.8.

Provide out-of-hours back-up for helpline staff on a rota basis (approximately 1 week in 4); this will be paid at 10.00 per weekday and 20.00 per day at weekends. Emergency attendance will be paid at the full hourly rate, or time off can be taken in lieu.

2.9.

Cover for other staff members when absent, when required (with support and training).

2.10.

Occasionally and by agreement work outside designated hours to cover colleagues' holidays and sickness or crisis situations.

2.11.

Any other tasks deemed necessary for the good operation and management of the organisation, as agreed.

This job description may be reviewed and amended, subject to the needs of service users, the organisation and funding.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

Qualifications and training:

(shortlisted candidates will be asked to produce original certificates of formal qualifications declared)

1) Health & Social Care or Person-Centred qualification, Community Support or equivalent at Level 3 or above

2) Training in domestic abuse, child protection, equal opportunities

Experience:

1) Professional experience of working offering emotional and practical direct support to those fleeing domestic abuse desirable

2) Professional experience of working with children in need due to domestic abuse or other reasons desirable

3) Professional experience of working with statutory and voluntary agencies, telephone contact, meetings, written requests and reports

4) Professional experience of working in Refuge highly desirable

We welcome those with transferable skills.

Knowledge and understanding:

1) Impact of domestic abuse on adults and children

2) Knowledge of Child and Adult Safeguarding issues

3) Importance of confidentiality

4) Knowledge of related projects and community support

5) Broad knowledge of legal, housing and welfare benefits rights for those fleeing abusive situations

6) Strong understanding of professional boundaries

Skills:

1) Effective verbal communication

2) Effective listening skills; including telephone skills with service users, colleagues and professionals from other agencies

3) Work planning, prioritising tasks appropriately

4) Clear and concise writing skills and record keeping

5) Awareness of health and safety issues

6) To demonstrate empathy and understanding

7) Effective intervention in conflict situations

8) Basic numeracy and administration - able to work with computer databases

Attitudes and beliefs:

1) Commitment to human rights and equal opportunities

2) Accountability to organisation and service users

Other:

1) No record of criminal conviction or other record of criminal activity in relevant areas or having been proscribed by other relevant organisation*

2) Able to work flexible hours as required, occasionally working extra hours or standing in for other staff

3) Hold a full driving licence

4) Access to a car for use at work

Successful applicants will be asked to undergo a DBS check for disclosure of relevant history. This may not necessarily be a bar to employment with CRT and will be considered on its merits, depending on the offence and other circumstances.

PLEASE EMAIL recruitment@cornwallrefuge.org FOR AN APPLICATION PACK - COMPLETED APPLICATIONS ONLY WILL BE CONSIDERED

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From 14.22 per hour

Benefits:

Company pension On-site parking Referral programme Sick pay
Schedule:

Day shift Monday to Friday
Experience:

professional domestic abuse: 1 year (preferred)
Licence/Certification:

Level 3 (preferred) Driving Licence and use of own car (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person