Women’s Support Worker

Women’s Support Worker

This role is responsible for delivering a high-quality, trauma-informed and gender-informed support service for women living in the Complex Needs service. The postholder will hold a caseload of women residents who may be experiencing multiple disadvantage, including homelessness, rough sleeping, domestic abuse, mental ill health, substance use, exploitation, offending histories, social isolation and complex trauma.

The requirements below set out the experience, knowledge and personal qualities needed for this role. We welcome candidates with relevant direct experience, education, training or lived understanding of the issues affecting women with complex needs.

Experience, education and knowledge

• Experience of supporting women or adults experiencing multiple disadvantage, complex needs, homelessness, rough sleeping, trauma, domestic abuse, mental ill health, substance use, exploitation or social exclusion.
• Relevant education, training or qualification in women’s support, trauma-informed practice, safeguarding, domestic abuse, mental health, substance use, social care, psychology, criminology, housing, homelessness or a related field.
• Experience of building trust with people who may be difficult to engage, inconsistent in contact, distrustful of services or reluctant to accept support.
• Experience of holding or contributing to a caseload, completing support plans, risk assessments, safety plans, reviews and case notes.
• Understanding of safeguarding, risk management, professional boundaries, confidentiality, equality and diversity, and data protection.
• Awareness of multi-agency working and the role of health, mental health, substance misuse, domestic abuse, criminal justice, adult social care, housing and specialist women’s services.

Personal qualities

• Compassionate, non-judgemental and respectful, with a strong commitment to supporting women affected by homelessness, trauma and multiple disadvantage.
• Patient, persistent and able to build trust at the woman’s pace.
• Reflective and open to learning, supervision, feedback and development.
• Calm and professional when responding to challenging, high-risk or emotionally demanding situations.
• Able to work independently while contributing positively to a wider frontline team.
• Committed to Your Place values of Compassion, Inclusion, Collaboration and Growth.

Desirable

• Experience in a women-only service, complex needs accommodation, rough sleeping pathway, domestic abuse service or specialist homelessness service.
• Experience using In-Form or a similar case management system.
• Knowledge of local services and pathways for women experiencing homelessness, domestic abuse, mental health needs, substance use or exploitation.

Offer of this role is subject to satisfactory DBS and employment checks being completed before starting employment.