Support Worker

**JOB DESCRIPTION**

**POST**:
**Support Worker (Sure Start Project)**

**REPORTS TO**:
**Community Services Manager (Causeway)**

**LOCATION**:
**Based in Coleraine with travel across the Causeway area**

**HOURS**:
26 Hours per week

Flexibility is required as the post may require occasional evening/ weekend/work, as per the demands of the project.

Time-in-lieu is available for additional hours worked when approved in advance.

**SALARY SCALE**:
Starting salary £15,160 (gross) p.a.

**Summary of Main Responsibilities**:

- To provide support to women and their children who have experienced Domestic Abuse and are eligible for Sure Start services.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- To support and maintain contact with families referred into the project.
- To make initial contact with women and assess the family’s needs and risks.
- To carry and manage your own diary and case load of clients and ensure case files are up to date.
- To establish and maintain contact with women in the Refuge prior to re-housing/returning home.
- Help to develop good working relationships with all statutory and voluntary organisations.
- To provide a range of support services to assist women in ensuring their own safety and maintaining their independence including advocacy, emotional support, risk assessment and safety planning, personal development work, and support to access and work with statutory agencies.
- To support delivery of programmes, activities and trips for families.

**Specific Duties**:
**Supporting Women & Children**
- To respond to requests and referrals for support in a timely and appropriate manner.
- To identify and respond to the needs of those referred to the project, through:
Carrying out risk assessments

Exploring and discussing options available

Offering relevant information which will assist clients to make informed choices and be self-determining

Developing achievable support plans with clients

Supporting clients in their informed choices

Safety Planning

Assisting clients to access other help and support when needed

Accompanying clients on visits to statutory agencies & court and acting as advocate where appropriate.

Offering self-help guidance for those accessing the project.
- To give practical support and assistance to families to plan for their future needs.
- To signpost clients and assist them to access other Causeway & Mid-Ulster Women’s Aid services or external services as appropriate.
- To monitor individual client’s housing and support needs and review plans regularly to take account of any change.
- To enable clients to develop the skills and confidence to manage their own futures and those of their children.
- To maintain statistics and records in line with Causeway & Mid-Ulster Women’s Aid and funder requirements_._
- To be mindful of Child Protection considerations and policies and make referrals as appropriate and agreed with the Child Protection Officer.
- To participate in duty cover for the Women’s Centre taking referrals and dealing with ad-hoc support requests both in person and by telephone.
- To maintain client case records and logs.

**Community Involvement**
- To help to develop and maintain good working relationships with statutory and voluntary organisations.

**Policy**
- To ensure that the project adheres to Causeway & Mid-Ulster Women’s Aid agreed Policies and Procedures.
- To keep abreast of Policy and Legislative change in relation to your area of work.
- To be conversant with all organisational polices

**Health and Safety**
- To ensure the organisation’s Health and Safety Policy and Procedures are adhered to and appropriate risk assessments are carried out with recommendations implemented as directed.
- To participate in housekeeping duties as required.

**Team Working**
- To participate in the provision of a comprehensive service which is responsive to the needs of women and children.
- To contribute to effective relationships within Causeway & Mid-Ulster Women’s Aid and with external agencies through collaborative working and discussion.
- To respect the roles and responsibilities of all members of the team.
- To participate in team meetings respecting others’ opinions and differences.

**Administrative**
- To accurately maintain the recording and monitoring systems in place to meet both Causeway & Mid-Ulster Women’s Aid and Coleraine Sure Start partnership requirements.
- To be aware of the financial constraints of the organisation and to work within agreed project budgets.
- To provide verbal, written and statistical reports as required.
- To assist in preparing reports for the Sure Start project Manager as directed by the Senior Project Worker.

**External Agencies**
- To liaise and consult with statutory and voluntary agencies and maintain good working relationships.

**Confidentiality**
- To respect the confidentiality of all information received as a result of the post holder’s duties whilst being mindful of the limitations arising fr