Refuge Worker, Merton

About the Service / Department 

Merton Domestic Abuse service emotionally and practically supports service users who live in our accommodation based refuge provision and the local borough. 

About the role 

• To provide intensive casework, support, and monitoring of general, and support needs, facilitated by key-sessions, community meetings, and general day-to-day contact
• To provide advice, information, and support to the service users on safety – including around domestic abuse and independent living, as required
• To work with service users in co-producing a ‘Safety Plan’ and ‘Strengths and Aspirations Plan’, with a focus on the individuals’ strengths to meet their chosen goals
• To fulfil our obligations and responsibilities to inform, and work with any relevant statutory bodies, for example, Social Services in regard to Child Safeguarding issues/concerns and to follow the Hestia Safeguarding policies and procedures at all times
• To provide casework which identifies and builds in appropriate support of the individuals housing needs, including supporting them in establishing move on accommodation
• To help facilitate, promote, and evaluate social activities and workshops for service users which may focus on, and encourage empowerment, for example self-esteem and confidence building and assertiveness training

About you  

• Experience of working with people with a range of different support needs, aspirations for their future and associated risks
• Experience of delivering high quality accommodation-based support services to people with a range of needs and risks
• Good knowledge of welfare benefits and housing options and legislation related to statutory duty
• An ability to undertake client-focused key working, support planning and risk assessments to maximise Service Users’ independence
• Good understanding of the range of issues, diagnoses, and treatment relevant to the client group including mental health and substance misuse
• Commitment to equal opportunities and to promoting service users’ rights, privacy, dignity, choice and control
• Ability to liaise with external professionals to inform and develop Service Users’ support package
• Willingness to actively engage in undertaking relevant personal development and training
• Ability to travel throughout the Borough of operation
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues and ability to address them appropriately Schedule 9 (1a) of the Equality Act 2010 applies to this position – (Only Female applicants please)

Please note if offered a role with Hestia, you will be issued a conditional offer based on satisfactory references and a Basic or Enhanced DBS check. 

Disability confident 
Hestia is a disability confident employer, committed to the employment and career development of individual with disabilities. As part of this commitment, we operate a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We will also accommodate reasonable adjustment during the selection and interview process and throughout your employment with us. 

Hestia positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. But we particularly welcome individuals from an ethnic minority background and those with disabilities to apply. As an organisation, we are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.