Are you passionate about supporting vulnerable children and young people? Do you have experience of the dynamics, impact, and scale of gender-based violence, especially in relation to them? Could you advocate for children and young people?

We are looking for a Children & Young People Domestic Abuse Support Worker, with a childcare qualification, to provide practical and emotional support programmes for children and young people who are referred to Inverclyde Women’s Aid. The successful applicant will develop and deliver age-appropriate support programmes for children and young people who have been affected by domestic abuse.

Women only need apply. The post is covered by a Genuine Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (Part 1) of the Equality Act 2010.

Who we are

For nearly 40 years, Inverclyde Women’s Aid (IWA) has been providing vital support services to women and children across the Inverclyde region. These are free, impartial, and confidential services, focused on providing a safe space away from abuse, violence, and oppression. Our team of support workers offers housing advice, counselling, signposting, and employability as well as financial and practical support for women and families to build brighter futures for their lives.

Who we are looking for

You’ll have experience of providing support and information to vulnerable children and young people. This will include emotional regulation, domestic abuse, crisis intervention, assessment of risk, safety planning, carrying a caseload, multi-agency, advocacy, and information. Any recognised childcare qualification or equivalent, as listed on the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) website, is essential.

You will understand the dynamics, impact, and scale of emotional dysregulation, domestic abuse, and other forms of gender-based violence, especially in relation to children and young people. Experience of supporting children and young people in an education setting or community organisation is vital for this role, as is liaising with agencies and advocating on behalf of service users.

You will bring to the post:

• Creativity in developing support programmes for children and young people
• Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise under pressure
• A non-judgmental and empathetic approach
• The ability to anticipate problems and to identify solutions
• Flexibility of hours and days of work
• Ability to manage change and adapt to new ways of working
• First class communications skills
• The ability to manage personal wellbeing in a challenging work environment.

There is a requirement to work variable shift pattern which may include evenings and weekends. You will have a full driving licence and access to your own transport and be willing to travel throughout Inverclyde, business insurance would be required.

What you will be doing

You will provide practical and emotional support programmes for children and young people who are referred to us through schools, education and other agencies and complete and maintain all relevant paperwork. You will also develop and deliver age appropriate support programmes for children and young people who have been affected by domestic abuse, as well as early intervention and prevention, emotional regulation programmes in educational or community settings for young people at risk of being excluded from mainstream education. Maintaining the confidentiality of those accessing the service is vital, as is ensuring that all confidentiality agreements are signed. There will be occasions when you will be called upon to prepare relevant reports for Children’s Panels, court proceedings or case conferences.

During the course of your work, you will promote the service to community groups, youth organisations and education providers to support and encourage children and young people to use our services. You’ll work on your own initiative but liaise closely with team members to ensure all aspects of the service are covered, which requires flexibility to meet the needs of the service.

Promoting effective partnership working and developing strong links with professionals from external agencies and the community are essential to maximise the support available for children and young people. Promoting our work, and the rights and needs of women who experience domestic abuse, to service providers and policy makers is also part of the role.

What you will get

The salary for the role £15.90 ph. You will get 42 days annual leave including public holidays. There’s a pension contribution, enhanced sickness pay and access to private healthcare. There will be opportunities for your own learning and development and coaching/mentoring will be available.

Inverclyde Women’s Aid’s vision is where women, children and young people are free from the threat of abuse, violence or oppression.

Inverclyde Women’s Aid is a charitable organisation dedicated to working towards ending domestic and sexual abuse. We offer a confidential service across Inverclyde to support women, children and young people who are or have experienced domestic and /or sexual abuse.

Role:

Are you passionate about helping women, children and young people in Inverclyde? Inverclyde Women’s Aid [IWA] are looking for Trustees to join its Board.

This is an exciting opportunity to become part of our feminist governance team supporting and overseeing the development of the organisation to ensure the continued delivery of high quality, responsive services to vulnerable women, children and young people in our area. You do not need to know everything there is to know about domestic and or sexual abuse, but you will need to prove that you are interested in our work, be reliable, action focussed and committed to our principles and values.

We are keen to here from women, and in particular those who may have experience or skills in the areas of Fundraising, HR, IT, legal, women services or care and charity governance.