The Pankhurst Trust brings together Manchester Women’s Aid and the Pankhurst Centre. The organisations work together to ensure the story of the women who won the vote continues to inspire us all, and to ensure that those suffering from domestic violence and abuse get the confidential help they need. The Pankhurst Trust are a group of female champions, empowering women across Manchester and beyond.
As a Domestic Abuse Worker (Dispersed Refuge) 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). The 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 Domestic Abuse worker (Dispersed Refuge) will be responsible for the delivery of the family experience in our dispersed refuge properties across the city.
The responsibilities of the Domestic Abuse Worker (Dispersed Refuge) 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 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 is to work with clients living in dispersed properties around the city and as such is not based in a communal refuge. Whilst not an essential requirement due to excellent public transport links within the city, access to your own transportation may be beneficial.
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 The Pankhurst Trust support, in some circumstances, the principle of providing single sex services which are lawful under the Equality Act 2010.
This job may close early, applicants are advised to apply as soon as possible.