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.

• Pro Rata for 17.5 hours: £14,475.38 + 7.5% On Call Allowance (optional)
• Pension Contribution of 8%
• Fixed term-contract to end of September 2027
• 17.5 hours per week (exact working pattern to be negotiated but must include a Wednesday)
• 30 days’ annual leave per annum for full time workers (entitlement for this post will be pro-rata)
• 12 public holidays per annum for full time workers (entitlement for this post will be pro-rata)
• Training and development opportunities
• Reimbursement of mileage & necessary expenses

East Dunbartonshire Women’s Aid’s Children and Young People team provide vital support to children dealing with the trauma of domestic abuse and leaving their home. They ensure that children are given a service which is driven by them and meets their needs. The service includes 1-1 therapeutic support, prevention work and free-play sessions.

This is an outreach post and you will work closely with a job-share partner to provide therapeutic 1-1 support to children and young people across East Dunbartonshire who are living with the impact of domestic abuse. You may also provide support as children move on from refuge. You will work closely with partner organisations, building positive relationships, promoting the service and raising awareness.

The main office base is in Kirkintilloch, but the post holder will be required to travel throughout the area.

Candidates should have an understanding of, and commitment to, the feminist analysis of domestic abuse (or a willingness to learn), experience of interagency working and be willing to work as part of a collective where all staff share management responsibilities.

Applicants must hold a recognised relevant qualification at a minimum of SVQ Level 3 (alternatively, equivalent in childcare qualifications will be considered). We anticipate that successful candidates will have a minimum of two years’ experience in supporting vulnerable children and young people who have been exposed to trauma.

This is a fixed-term post. We have secured funding to enable the successful candidate to work 17.5 hours per week until 30th Sept 2027. We will be actively seeking funding to continue the post beyond this date but it is not guaranteed at this stage.

Posts are subject to a successful PVG scheme check, suitable references and completion of a satisfactory 6-month induction period.

Fife Women’s Aid are looking for a counsellor to work on a sessional basis with our Women’s Counselling service. You will provide direct counselling to women who have experienced domestic abuse. This will mainly be delivered face-to-face, with remote working to suit the needs of individual women as required.

The successful applicant will be qualified to Counselling Diploma level or above and will have excellent counselling skills, having had 2 years’ experience of working in a similar environment.

Excellent communication skills and an ability to work effectively with a range of multi-agency partners are essential for this post.

Please join us for an online session to find out more about FWA counselling services. This will be at 6.30pm on Tuesday 24th September 2024. Please confirm your attendance to info@fifewomensaid.org.uk and we will send you details of the zoom meeting. We hope to see you there.

If you would like further information about the post, please email Nicola Fraser, Team Manager, at nicola.fraser@fifewomensaid.org.uk to arrange a call.

Fife Women’s Aid are looking to recruit two full-time support workers to join our Women’s Support Team.

As a service, we are expanding our capacity to better meet the needs of women who have experienced domestic abuse. Candidates should have good communication skills and a passion for supporting recovery from domestic abuse.

The successful applicants will have at least SVQ Level III or equivalent level of qualification in health and social care or other relevant subject, or a willingness to work towards a qualification.

The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate a high degree of motivation and have the ability to work on their own as well as part of a team. An ability to cover on-call is an advantage (additional payments are made for this role).

Please join us for an online session to find out more about FWA women’s services. This will be at 6.30pm on Wednesday 11th September 2024. Please confirm your attendance to info@fifewomensaid.org.uk and we will send you details of the zoom meeting. We hope to see you there.

If you would like further information about the post, please contact Gill Birtley at gill.birtley@fifewomensaid.org.uk to arrange a call.

Fife Women’s Aid is a feminist organisation and strives to be a supportive and empowering employer offering competitive terms and conditions.