Week-End Support Worker
Role:
One of the services offered by this organisation is Refuge; the provision of Safety, Knowledge, and Support to recover from domestic violence and abuse and coercive control, primarily by offering short term crisis accommodation to women and children who leave their family home due to domestic violence and abuse in that environment when it is not safe to remain. This service also provides support via telephone helpline to callers requiring information and support in relation to the issue of Domestic Violence and Abuse and many relevant associated needs of callers.
The role of the Week-End Support Worker is to provide support to ensure a safe and secure environment is available for clients’ resident in the Refuge on weekend days as part of a dedicated team and suite of supports offered to facilitate safety and recovery from DVA and to provide information and support
- The Week-End Support Worker will participate as part of the Refuge Team to ensure the ongoing safety of resident clients and staff.
- The role includes providing both emotional and practical support and information for women and children.
- The role includes having an ability to respond appropriately to any needs, issues, or alerts in accordance with best practice and the policies and procedures of the service.
- The role includes monitoring and attending to and maintaining highest standards of Health, Hygiene and Safety issues of concern as may present.
- Being responsible to audit and monitor available stock and supplies and advise accordingly.
Key Areas of Work:
· Issue Awareness (Domestic violence and abuse)
· Issue knowledge (Child protection and welfare, Domestic Violence, Family law)
· Practical parenting support skills
· Active Listening and attending supportively to emotional needs
· Active Housekeeping (hygiene, health, and safety)
· Recording /Reporting and IT skills
· Adherence to professional ethics and boundaries
· Strictest confidentiality
· Attendance at team and staff meetings, staff supervision and role relevant training
Main Duties:
· Service hospitality
· Respond professionally and appropriately to the needs of clients
· Provide non-directive and non-judgmental information and support as required
· Participate in the provision of services as part of the Refuge Team; Support the provision of a safe and homely environment for clients
· To be observant in providing and encouraging a strict policy of confidentiality at all times within professional boundaries and limitations etc.
· To assist in the preparation of rooms for allocation and to ensure that high standards of cleanliness and hygiene are maintained throughout the building and immediate external environment at all times.
· To be aware of your own responsibilities under health and safety legislation and to ensure all procedures are clearly understood and acted on.
· To communicate information appropriately to support the updating of client records to allow for effective case management.
· Attend team and staff meetings and external training as required
· Participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal with management and assist in identifying role-related training needs
· To act in the best interests of Bray Women’s Refuge at all times and, if requested by management, take on other responsibilities or duties commensurate with the role
The Person Specification for Week-End Support Worker
Essential Qualifications and Experience:
· Third level qualification – Health and Social Care (QQI 6 as a minimum)
· 2-year similar experience in a residential service or family support
· Good IT skills and experience to include Salesforce CRM (sector bespoke) and Microsoft Office 365
Desirable:
· Knowledge and understanding of the nature of domestic sexual and gender-based violence and experience of working with women and children (preferably in a residential setting)
· Knowledge and awareness of issues impacting mental health and well-being including PTSD, addictions, and other complex behaviours and/or coping strategies creating challenges
· Understanding and knowledge of conflict resolution and/or negotiation skills
· Knowledge of social inclusion, poverty, and discrimination and other barriers to full social participation
· Ability to provide empathy and to treat the clients in a non-judgmental way
Person Specification and Core Competencies:
- Excellent English Language skills; spoken and written
- Good Time management
- Effective Interpersonal skills to work with a broad range of people
- Ability to work effectively as a team member
- Ability to act calmly and clearly in any presenting situation
- Ability to respond in a professional manner to challenging and stressful situations
- Good organisational skills
- Positive and solution focussed attitude
- Excellent aural, oral, and written communications skills including good IT skills
- Willingness to learn
- Soft skills to include empathy and compassion
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: From €19.39 per hour
Expected hours: 20.0 per week
Benefits:
- Bike to work scheme
- Employee assistance program
- On-site parking
Experience:
- Residential / Family Support: 2 years (required)
Work authorisation:
Work Location: In person
