The role of the Duty/Crisis Service Support Worker is to provide a confidential, safe and supportive information service to women and agencies who contact EWA through the crisis phone line and/or ‘drop in’ service. Where safety issues are assessed, the worker will ensure the completion of the Risk Identification checklist and an individualised support and safety plan. Where appropriate the worker will assess women, and any accompanying children who are affected by domestic abuse, for refuge accommodation. This role is based at EWA offices 4 Cheyne St Edinburgh EH4 1JB.

Would you like to be part of a vital helpline service? Scottish Women’s Aid is expanding our helpline team to enhance our support services and meet a growing demand. We are recruiting three new full-time Helpline Call Handlers to work on Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline.

Background

Scottish Women’s Aid manages Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline and is also Scotland’s leading organisation working to end domestic abuse and promoting effective policy and practice responses for women, children and young people who experience domestic abuse. We are the umbrella organisation for 32 autonomous Women’s Aid groups delivering direct services to women, children and young people across Scotland.

What you’ll do

You’ll provide confidential support and information to individuals experiencing domestic abuse or forced marriage, as well as their families, friends, colleagues, and professionals supporting them. Responding by phone, email, web chat, and text, you’ll assess needs and risks, helping them plan for their safety and connecting them to appropriate services and resources. You’ll complete administrative tasks related to your helpline contacts and help maintain our information systems. Your empathetic and professional approach will ensure callers receive the support they need.

What we need

We’re looking for someone passionate about our work and committed to the values of Scottish Women’s Aid. You should have experience managing difficult and emotional interactions with sensitivity and empathy, and be able to work effectively under pressure. You’ll contribute to a supportive and inclusive team culture and participate effectively within a mostly remote team.

We’re looking for someone who has:

• At least a basic knowledge of domestic abuse and forced marriage, with a feminist understanding of how gender affects these issues.
• Excellent listening skills and the ability to communicate clearly with people from diverse backgrounds, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to understand complex information and explain it simply.
• Trauma-informed, person-centred, non-directive, and non-judgemental approach.
• Confidence in using computer systems and completing administrative tasks.
• Enthusiasm for ongoing learning and development and a commitment to reflective practice.

What we offer

Comprehensive training will be provided to develop a specialist understanding of domestic abuse, forced marriage, and support options in Scotland, as well as practical helpline skills and procedures.

There are many reasons to work for Scottish Women’s Aid. We have a great working culture and our mission and vision attracts a brilliant staff team. Your hard work is rewarded with a package of support and benefits including:

Flexible working

We offer flexible hybrid working options for the majority of our employees. Some posts are eligible for full-time homeworking. We also offer flexibility for staff and work/life balance through a number of flexible working options such as flexi time, condensed hours, job sharing.

Pay

SWA are a Living wage employer, our pay and grading system offers a competitive starting salary and yearly progression.

Annual Leave

We offer a full-time annual leave entitlement of 30 days (210 hours) per year plus 10 Public Holiday days (70 hours) per year. Leave is accrued at the rate of 3.33 days (23.3 hours) per month.

Pension

SWA believes it's important that we help you save for your retirement so access to Nest pension scheme is given to all eligible employees. SWA contributes 10% of gross contractual earnings on the provision that the employee contributes a minimum of 3% towards their pension contributions.

Learning and Development

SWA supports and develops staff to ensure they have the necessary skills, knowledge and abilities. There is an internal schedule of training on key skills and knowledge relevant to all staff. There is also scope to attend ad hoc training for employees who are working to develop specific skills.

Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay

SWA offers staff who meet the criteria for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) an enhanced maternity pay of 20 weeks on full pay and 20 weeks on half pay.

Wellbeing

As part of SWA’s commitment to staff wellbeing, staff are offered access to a confidential 24/7 health and Wellbeing service with AIG which provides confidential advice, counselling and legal support to all staff, and where applicable, immediate family members.

Bike 2 Work

An interest-free loan to purchase a bike, can be arranged up to the value of £1,000.

Edinburgh Leisure Gym Subsidies

Edinburgh based staff are able to access Edinburgh Leisure facilities for the reduced price of £1 per session.

The applicant will support Black and Minority Ethnic women, their children (if any), and young people who are experiencing and/ or fleeing domestic abuse due to their sexuality and/ or gender identity.

The applicant ideally have a minimum of 2 years’ experience of working with Black Minority Ethnic (BME) communities. Must have good knowledge and understanding of equalities issues and the issues affecting BME and/ or LGBT women, children, and young people; understanding of the legislative and cultural issues surrounding domestic abuse, honour-based abuse such as forced marriage and female genital mutilation, and their effects on Black Minority Ethnic women, their children, and young people.

The applicant must have a minimum of SVQ Level III in Social Care or relevant qualification such as degree in Social Work or Community Education. All the above posts involve unsocial and flexible hours including evenings and weekends. Successful applicants will be subjected to disclosure checks through the PVG Scheme. ‘Women only need apply for these posts under paragraph 1 of Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010’.

The post holder ideally be a bilingual speaker in one of the BME community languages.

Would you like to be part of a vital helpline service? Scottish Women’s Aid is expanding our helpline team to enhance our support services and meet a growing demand. We are recruiting to a new position of Helpline Administrator to provide administrative support to the team that delivers Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline.

Background

Scottish Women’s Aid manages Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline and is also Scotland’s leading organisation working to end domestic abuse and promoting effective policy and practice responses for women, children and young people who experience domestic abuse. We are the umbrella organisation for 32 autonomous Women’s Aid groups delivering direct services to women, children and young people across Scotland.

What you’ll do

As a Helpline Administrator, you’ll provide varied administrative support to the Helpline Team, supporting the smooth operation of Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline. You will work closely with the Helpline Manager and Helpline Operations Coordinator, as well as the team of Helpline Call Handlers. Your tasks will include arranging meetings, taking minutes, updating records and documentation, and assisting with the helpline rota scheduling. You’ll also play a key role in tasks such as collecting and analysing data, creating reports, supporting staff training, and maintaining up-to-date information systems. Your work will contribute to effective communication internally and externally.

What we need

We’re looking for someone passionate about our work and committed to the values of Scottish Women’s Aid. We need someone with strong organisational skills, excellent communication abilities, and the capacity to manage a variety of administrative tasks effectively. You’ll be proficient in using Microsoft Office, maintaining digital records, and using online collaboration and communication tools. The ideal candidate will be capable of working independently, using their own initiative, problem-solving skills, and effective prioritisation. You’ll contribute to a supportive and inclusive team culture and participate effectively within a mostly remote team.

What we offer

There are many reasons to work for Scottish Women’s Aid. We have a great working culture and our mission and vision attracts a brilliant staff team. Your hard work is rewarded with a package of support and benefits including:

Flexible working

We offer flexible hybrid working options for the majority of our employees. Some posts are eligible for full-time homeworking. We also offer flexibility for staff and work/life balance through a number of flexible working options such as flexi time, condensed hours, job sharing.

Pay

SWA are a Living wage employer, our pay and grading system offers a competitive starting salary and yearly progression.

Annual Leave

We offer a full-time annual leave entitlement of 30 days (210 hours) per year plus 10 Public Holiday days (70 hours) per year. Leave is accrued at the rate of 3.33 days (23.3 hours) per month.

Pension

SWA believes it's important that we help you save for your retirement so access to Nest pension scheme is given to all eligible employees. SWA contributes 10% of gross contractual earnings on the provision that the employee contributes a minimum of 3% towards their pension contributions.

Learning and Development

SWA supports and develops staff to ensure they have the necessary skills, knowledge and abilities. There is an internal schedule of training on key skills and knowledge relevant to all staff. There is also scope to attend ad hoc training for employees who are working to develop specific skills.

Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay

SWA offers staff who meet the criteria for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) an enhanced maternity pay of 20 weeks on full pay and 20 weeks on half pay.

Wellbeing

As part of SWA’s commitment to staff wellbeing, staff are offered access to a confidential 24/7 health and Wellbeing service with AIG which provides confidential advice, counselling and legal support to all staff, and where applicable, immediate family members.

Bike 2 Work

An interest-free loan to purchase a bike, can be arranged up to the value of £1,000.

Edinburgh Leisure Gym Subsidies

Edinburgh based staff are able to access Edinburgh Leisure facilities for the reduced price of £1 per session.