Refuge Support Worker

**About the role**

As a Refuge Support Worker, you will provide specialist support to women and children accessing a variety of refuge services in Blaenau Gwent who are affected by Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and/or Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) and who may have multiple disadvantages. You will contribute to creating an exemplary and inclusive support and accommodation service, which recognises that women and families have multiple disadvantages, trauma, strengths, and unique needs.

**About you**

Every day will be different as you will be working with a diverse group of women and families, and will work in partnership with a range of external agencies and colleagues from Cyfannol’s other specialist services. You will be an open-minded, non-judgemental person who understands the complexity of domestic abuse and enjoys working with different backgrounds and cultures. A key part of your role will be adapting your communication style to different situations to empower women to gain independence.

You will be a resilient and robust person who can build trust and relationships with vulnerable people easily. You will be naturally understanding and empathetic in your personality as you will be providing practical and emotional support to clients via a range of methods. You will enjoy variety and change and have the ability to work on your own initiative.

**Purpose of the post**

To provide specialist support to women and children accessing a variety of refuge services in Blaenau Gwent who are affected by Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and/or Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) and who may have multiple disadvantages.

To contribute to creating an exemplary and inclusive support and accommodation service, which recognises that women and families have multiple disadvantages, trauma, strengths and unique needs.

**Specific responsibilities**

Deliver specialist tailored support services to women and children who are accessing our services and contribute to the creation of safe, trauma informed, welcoming environments.

As a team, manage the referrals into the service, carrying out Initial Contact Assessments, risk assessments and safety plans with women to ascertain together which services they need immediately and the short-medium term.

Assist women and children to access refuge and set up together their licence and housing benefits and other paperwork with them.

Support women and children to undertake and engage in initial and on-going needs assessments and support plans.

Support, signpost and refer women and children to the services they wish to engage with for example social services, the police, parenting, health, legal, DWP, housing, homelessness, recreational, educational and cultural services and also Cyfannol’s other internal services (group work, sexual violence services and counselling for example)

Attend MARAC when appropriate, core groups and other similar meetings if required, ensuring completion of all tasks allocated to CWA.

Support women to maintain licence agreement and help them prepare for their next move on.

Contribute to regular opportunities to bring residents together, through house meetings and other communal activities and opportunities.

To act as an advocate on behalf of service user encouraging and supporting self-advocacy as appropriate.

Work with women and children in an empowering and engaging manner, as set out in our Model of Support policy

Ensure accurate and timely records are maintained in relation to all aspects of the service and case work, including inputting information into our Information Management System.

Assist in producing qualitative and quantitative data, including for example, the creation of case studies.

To be fully aware of the child and adult protection/procedures in Cyfannol and report to line manager any concerns /issues in this area.

Support women and children to have a voice within the organisation and the sector, by for example, encouraging them to complete surveys, give feedback and attend associated events.

Assist in ensuring the safe and effective running of our refuges including organising house meeting; assisting with regular health and safety inspections, reporting general maintenance/repair requirements, and carrying our room turnovers.

**General Responsibilities**

Contribute to the development and achievement of our Vision, and our Strategic and Operational objectives.

Demonstrate and positively promote the organisation’s values, culture and qualities.

Work collaboratively to enhance our vision of a safe, supportive and explorative space.

Proactively promote equality of opportunity and actively address any discriminatory practice.

Represent the organisation at external meetings, public events, conferences and similar ensuring that Cyfannol Women’s Aid reputation is protected and enhanced.

Participate in team meetings, supervision and appropriate training.

Work within the Policies and Procedures of Cyfannol Women’s