Refuge Support Worker (Out of Hours)

NDAS provides refuge to victims of domestic abuse. One of our Northampton based refuges also accepts women who are also living with the effects of addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. This refuge is operated 24 hours and this role is to cover hours outside “office hours”.

£14, 532 per annum (sleep in rate is half the hourly rate from midnight)

23 hours average per week (based on 4 week rolling shift pattern)

The shifts available are detailed below.

​Week 1

Wed and Thurs: 16.30 - 08.00

Week 2

Fri, Sat and Sun: 16.30 - 08.00

Week 3

Sat and Sun: 08.00 - 16.30

Week 4

Mon and Tues: 16.30 - 08.00

Essential candidate criteria includes:

• 2 years’ experience of working in a supportive role with vulnerable families and/or children, or equivalent
• Clear understanding and awareness of domestic abuse and the impact on victims
• Clear understanding of alcohol and drug addiction issues
• Excellent communication and report writing skills
• Proficient IT skills
• Current driving licence and access to vehicle.

Any applicant must complete an enhanced DBS check and have 2 references returned prior to confirmation of appointment.

The post is subject to an enhanced DBS (CRB) check and open to women only (exempt under the Equality Act 2010 Schedule 9, Part 1).

Please note, we will be interviewing on a rolling basis until the shifts are all covered.

Purpose of Post:

• To work as part of the team to ensure the effective running of the refuge, and providing appropriate support to service users who have substance/alcohol misuse issues.
• Delivering advice, support and information related to domestic abuse.
• Undertaking telephone assessments of applicants for the organisations refuge accommodation, outreach, and groups work.
• Admitting new residents into refuge out of hours and on weekends.
• Carrying out welfare checks to all refuges in the evenings and on weekends.
• Maintaining computerised database of essential information related to the profile of clients.
• Offer advice and support to all NDAS refuge residents outside office hours.
• Liaise with partnership agencies around substance misuse and recovery for individual clients.

Main areas of responsibility:

Resident Support

• To share responsibility with the day staff team for the evening, weekend and overnight operations of the refuge and welfare of service users, dealing with issues as and when they arise and working on own initiative.
• To work with individual service users to provide encouragement and support and comply with substance/alcohol reduction treatment. Discuss any concerns/information with Team Leader for further support.
• To work with other staff and service users to ensure the efficient and effective running of the refuge and undertake the following duties as necessary:

a) Attend hand-over meetings with staff from the previous and next shift.

b) Maintaining health and safety standards.

c) Repair or arranging for the repair of buildings, furniture and fittings if safety is an issue.

d) Maintaining security of the refuge and service users.

e) Ensure refuge is kept clean

f) Ensure the service users comply with the rules and regulations within refuge.

g) Administration – answer telephone, record all appropriate messages and maintain computerised case management systems.

h) Deal with out of hours advice queries, giving advice and information around Domestic abuse.

i) Complete assessments with applicants for refuge accommodation, outreach and group work.

j) Admit new residents during the evenings and weekends.

k) Whenever necessary follow the admission or eviction procedure.

l) Complete welfare checks during weekends and in the evenings

Compliance

• Ensure all confidential information in any form is kept secure at all times including the safe storage of computer equipment provided in line with the organisations Acceptable Use of Laptops Policy (if relevant).
• Adhere to and be aware of personal responsibilities with regard to data protection, information sharing and protocols.
• Ensure equal opportunity procedures are adhered to at all times, being aware of the potential for discrimination, harassment and to work positively to challenge any such actions.
• Adhere to the LSCBN safeguarding procedures as referred to in NDAS’s Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.
• Recognise and work with diversity in regard to race, religion and belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability and age.
• Ensure personal safety, in line with the organisations Lone Working and Mobile Phone Policies and Procedures.
• Attend all staff meetings as requested.
• Attend all training as directed.
• Attend all supervision and Individual Performance and Development Review (IPDR) meetings as requested.
• To ensure all other organisational policies and procedures are read and understood as dictated.
• To undertake any other duties that may be reasonably expected in this post.

Job Type: Part-time
Part-time hours: 23 per week

Salary: £14,532.00 per year

Benefits:

• Sick pay

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Night shift

Work Location: In person