Refuge Support Worker Jobs in London

Job Title: Children's Support Worker

Location: Hounslow, London
Salary: £28,104 per annum, inclusive of London weighting if applicable
Contract type: Full Time, Fixed Term (12 Months)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

We want kind and empathic people to work at Refuge, who believe in equality, diversity, and inclusion, are experts in their area of knowledge, want to make a positive difference and improve the lives of the women and children we support.

We are recruiting for a Children’s Support Worker who will be working closely with children and their mothers who are living in our refuges escaping domestic violence and other forms of violence and abuse, to provide personal welfare support and ensure that our clients are provided with a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment.

A key requirement for this role is to provide personal one to one and group support to children and young people to ensure they are provided with a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment. The post holder will support children who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence and plan and provide stimulating, safe, and appropriate activities.

Please note that this post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 17 March 2025

Interview Date: 24-25 March 2025

Refuge is the UK’s largest provider of specialist services, and we are proud to be a leader in our field and an employer of choice, with leading edge systems for supervision, quality management and development.

Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.

ABOUT THE HOUSING SUPPORT WORKER ROLE

Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? Join our vibrant Penrose team in Wembley as a Housing Support Worker! This is an exciting opportunity to support individuals with complex needs on their journey toward recovery, reablement, and independence, all within a compassionate, trauma-informed environment.

As a Housing Support Worker, you'll be at the heart of delivering high-quality, person-centered support. From creating tailored support plans to providing practical interventions, you'll empower individuals to overcome challenges, develop life skills, and achieve their personal goals.

Brent Synergy: Is a Housing Related Support (HRS) Service for a range of vulnerable people who have been or are at risk of homelessness. The age eligibility criteria for the service is adults between the ages of 18 to 60, who are identified to have low/medium support needs. Some of the needs we support are:

• Single homeless between ages of 18 to 60
• Socially excluded individuals
• Ex-Offenders
• People with substance misuse
• Mental Health (Low)
• Learning disability (Low/Medium)
• Women who have come from domestic abuse environments and situations who may need low level support as part of their resettlement following a move on from a refuge or other safe domestic abuse supported accommodation. 

Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Fridays. Shift Patterns are 08.00am-16.00PM, 09.00AM-17.00PM & 10.00AM-18.00PM. 

Salary: £26,100 

What are we looking for from a Housing Support Worker?

• Experience of working with people of complex backgrounds and/or a good understanding of the sector
• Ability to use, learn and adapt to IT at an intermediate level, including Microsoft and other software programs
• Ability and willingness to show flexibility of working patterns, responding to the needs of the service and residents
• Understanding and/or practical knowledge of the social and societal marginalisation that can be attached to people with complex needs 

What we offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards

ABOUT US

Social Interest Group (SIG) believes good care and support improve lives. Our values of ambition, empowerment, transparency, and inclusivity drive everything we do. Our mission is to empower people who are marginalised by building powerful partnerships and creative solutions that bridge gaps in provision and aid recovery, reablement and resettlement.

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings (including people's own homes), probation settings, and hospitals awaiting discharge. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, and Kent. We believe in the power of well-planned, well-managed services to make a difference. We work with high standards and external and internal regulatory frameworks.

Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change

Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Additional information on our company policies including Gender Pay, Equality and Diversity, Company Benefits and our Candidate Privacy Policy can be found on our website.

Please note that as part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check, some roles may require further vetting. We are an inclusive employer and encourage applicants from all backgrounds. 

We are an inclusive employer, committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). We value and celebrate the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of all our employees. We have a team of ambassadors who are staff volunteers and actively support us in fortifying our organisational value of Inclusivity. SIG actively encourages applications from individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, particularly lived experience ; Naturally, we approach any emerging issues with empathy and sensitivity. As an organisation, we’re proud to mention that our staff Ambassadors career aspirations generally benefit from embracing this unique opportunity to develop their respective skill sets in spaces that exist outside of their daily roles.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions.

Job Title: Easter European Floating Support Worker 

Location: Hybrid working with a requirement to occasionally work at Head Office (Vauxhall, London) and co-locations across London
Salary: £28,104 per annum, inclusive of London weighting if applicable
Contract type: This post is Fixed Term Contract until March 2026. There is a possible extension of contract depending on funding

Hours: 37.5 hours per week 

We are recruiting for Floating Support Worker who will support the Ascent Pan London Service in building sustainable referral pathways and joint working protocols with a range of partners working with survivors of domestic abuse

You will provide capacity-building in the form of advice, advocacy, support, and briefings across the London boroughs to statutory agencies and community organizations around the needs of Eastern European domestic abuse survivors, to embed best practice across our communities. 

It is desirable for candidates to be proficient in one or more Eastern European languages.

You will have proven experience of providing direct emotional and practical support to women as well as up-to-date knowledge of legislation relating to survivors of gender-based violence. You will have excellent casework skills, good written and verbal communication skills, clear professional boundaries and be a proactive team player. All candidates must demonstrate a commitment to the feminist values of empowerment and equality which underpin all of our work. 

The post holder will provide a high-quality personal welfare support service to Eastern European survivors of domestic abuse and other forms of violence and abuse and their children. The post holder will empower Eastern European survivors by providing them with emotional and practical support, including support to access safe accommodation. 

The post holder will provide capacity building in the form of advice, advocacy, support and briefings across the London boroughs to statutory agencies and community organizations around the needs of Eastern European domestic abuse survivors, to embed best practice across our communities. 

Please note that this post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 28 March 2025

Interview Date: 7 April 2025

Refuge is the UK’s largest provider of specialist services, and we are proud to be a leader in our field and an employer of choice, with leading edge systems for supervision, quality management and development.

Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.

Please note, due to the nature of the service, it is an occupational requirement that the post holder is female and the post is therefore exempt from the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 in terms of Schedule 9, Part 1, and Paragraph 1 of the Act.  

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a compassionate Children and Family Worker to support mothers and children at Penrose Women's Refuge in West London. You will provide trauma-informed care, fostering a safe and nurturing environment for families to heal and thrive.

Your role includes facilitating family activities, offering parenting guidance, supporting children’s education, and working closely with mums and external agencies to deliver holistic support. By empowering families to rebuild relationships and overcome challenges, you’ll help them achieve stability and independence. Someone who worked in a primary school or Education might be a good fit for this type of role. Due to the nature of the service, the postcode has been removed; however, the service is based in West London.

Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week on rota. Shift patterns could include 07:30-15:30, 09:00-17:00 and 23:30-07:30. This role will also require 1 Saturday per month on site. 

Salary: £26,155  

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS ROLE  

In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of families who need that extra support for re-gaining independence. By providing tailored, trauma-informed support, you’ll play a vital part in helping mothers and children rebuild their lives and create a brighter future.

What are we looking for?

• Understanding and/or experience of working with people of complex backgrounds
• Previous experience and/or in-depth knowledge about working with children who have experienced trauma
• IT Proficiency, ability to learn new software programs, basic Microsoft experience  

What we offer

• 25 days annual leave (full time equivalent), increasing with the length of service
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards

ABOUT US

Social Interest Group (SIG) believes good care and support improve lives. Our values of ambition, empowerment, transparency, and inclusivity drive everything we do. Our mission is to empower people who are marginalised by building powerful partnerships and creative solutions that bridge gaps in provision and aid recovery, reablement and resettlement.

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings (including people's own homes), probation settings, and hospitals awaiting discharge. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, and Kent. We believe in the power of well-planned, well-managed services to make a difference. We work with high standards and external and internal regulatory frameworks.

Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change

Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Additional information on our company policies including Gender Pay, Equality and Diversity, Company Benefits and our Candidate Privacy Policy can be found on our website.

Please note that as part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check, some roles may require further vetting. We are an inclusive employer and encourage applicants from all backgrounds. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact us on the details above. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions.

Purpose

We are looking for an experienced Children and Families Worker to support survivors of trafficking and other forms of violence who are parents, and their children. For parents, you will play a crucial part in helping them develop their capacity and parenting skills, both practically and emotionally; enabling them and their children to live safe and happy lives. You will build strong, trusting and compassionate relationships, empowering survivors to find their voice and learn and develop skills to support their families.

For children, you will design and deliver sessions, activities and educational outings to provide enriching experiences that encourage learning, wellbeing, creativity and social development. The Children and Families Worker will work collaboratively with internal teams, partner charities, social enterprises, and local agencies to create a supportive environment for children and families on their journey of recovery and towards independence.

Main responsibilities

Casework provision

• Deliver compassionate, high quality, tailored support to mothers and children at Ella’s.

• Empower survivors to find their voice and advocate for themselves and their children, fostering self-advocacy and empowerment

• Promptly address any safeguarding concerns, adhering to Ella’s’ safeguarding procedures to ensure the safety of the women and children

• Build strong, trusting relationships with service users and their children

• Display sensitivity and responsiveness to the rapidly changing emotional and physical needs of service users and their children, tailoring support strategies accordingly.

• Manage all casework-related paperwork, ensuring compliance with Ella's policies and procedures on data protection and confidentiality.

• Maintain accurate and timely casenote records within Ella's case management system, recording each service user contact within 24 hours.

• Assist service users with administrative tasks for their children such as making nursery/school applications, liaising with healthcare professionals, and children’s support services

• Act as an advocate during external appointments, if needed, ensuring that the service user's needs and preferences are effectively communicated and respected.

• Attend external meetings and appointments with healthcare professionals, educational service providers, and children social service providers

• Draft covering letters and support letters to complement service users' application forms, advocating for specific needs, or keeping other organisations informed as required.

• Maintain effective communication with other agencies involved in the care and support of children to ensure all their needs are adequately addressed.

Community and child centred focus

• Plan, organise and run regular sessions tailored to different age groups of children, providing them with enriching experiences that encourage learning, wellbeing, creativity and social development. 

• Facilitate and/or provide childcare supervision for service users, whilst they engage in sessions with their caseworker and during community sessions, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment.

• Design and coordinate engaging activities and educational trips during school holidays, creating memorable experiences for children and parents, and promoting  personal growth.

• Take the lead in designing, organising and running parenting classes for service users. Provide valuable guidance and support to help mothers develop effective parenting skills and foster healthy relationships with their children.

• Liaise with caseworkers and Ella’s’ Service Manager to ensure that our services continue to meet the developmental, emotional, and educational needs of the children of survivors.

• Provide information and data to support Monitoring and Evaluation related to this role.

• Support families with homework management and after school clubs as needed.

• Support mothers with locating and accessing appropriate services or community sessions in their local area to meet additional needs and promote pathways to independence.

• Optimise the childrens’ space within Ella’s’ community building, ensuring it is safe, friendly and fit for purpose. 

Safeguarding, and health and safety 

• Ensure all major incidents, accidents, safeguarding concerns or potential hazards are managed, reported and recorded following Ella’s’ policies and procedures.

• Ensure all safety and security procedures are followed to keep self and others safe.

• Maintain a safe and secure working environment.

• Participate in the identification and assessment of risks and implement agreed working procedures to minimise their impact; writing risk assessments as required.

• Promote awareness of health and safety amongst service users, including those who use emergency/on call systems, fire prevention and control systems as necessary.

• Ensure the location confidentiality of Ella’s’ premises to protect survivors and safeguard staff and volunteers.

Other/general duties

• Work with management to design, implement and strengthen ways to ensure survivors are helping lead the design and delivery of Ella’s’ services and operations.

• Distribute relevant ‘gifts in kind’ to survivors across the service as needed.

• Develop strategic partnerships with local agencies working within the VAWG sector and other local organisations or businesses that could enrich the work of Ella’s.

• Attend any training required for the role, keeping up to date with any developments and changes within the sector.

• Represent the work at Ella’s with integrity at all times.

• Adhere to all Ella's’ policies and procedures at all times.

• Complete any duties directed by the Service Manager within the scope of the role.

• Attend any team meetings required.

• Contribute to Ella's’ strategic goals and direction of growth.

• Attend monthly supervision with the Service Manager and keep in regular contact.

• Manage all paperwork, processing any personal data in accordance with Ella’s’ policies and procedures

• Supporting content gathering and signing off with the fundraising team.

Person specification

Skills

Essential 

• Ability to facilitate child appropriate sessions, tailored to age and specific needs.

• Ability to work with parents and children, in a trauma informed setting

• Ability to read and understand policies/procedures.

• Good organisational and time-management skills.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.

• Administrative, recording and reporting skills. 

• Team working. 

• Ability to work within a ‘risk assessed’ environment. 

• Ability to maintain clear boundaries. 

• A practical and flexible approach to work, with the ability to learn new concepts quickly.

• Excellent IT skill suitable for the role, in particular Microsoft Word, Google Drive, Gmail, Casework Management Systems.

Desirable

• A second language (highly desirable languages include; Vietnamese, Albanian, Yoruba).

• Full and clean driving licence.

Experience

Essential

• Designing and leading training sessions

• Running community sessions/outings 

• Working with vulnerable women and children.

• Children’s work experience: in educational settings, refuges, and/or social care settings.

• Budget and petty cash management.

• Target and deadline driven work, and report writing.

Desirable

• Working with migrants, including refugees and asylum seekers.

• Working in small charities.

• Gathering views and ensuring participation towards user led delivery of services.

Knowledge

• Developed understanding of trauma and mental health support needs.

• Safeguarding and professional boundaries.

• Understanding of statutory service providers, systems and support available eg social services

• Principles of good health and safety. 

• Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. 

• Broad understanding of the UK education system.

• Understanding of working with families who have experienced trauma

• A broad understanding of children services and processes.

Desirable

• Familiar with issues around immigration and migrant experience in the UK.

• Familiar with issues around families with high risks/vulnerabilities

Ethos

Essential

• Possess a commitment to follow the policies, procedures and ethos of Ella’s, and to advocate on behalf of the organisation. 

Desirable

• Experience of working with people from different backgrounds.

Benefits 

• You will be part of a small but dynamic organisation changing women’s lives, supporting and empowering them to build safe futures.

• You will have the opportunity to help give direction and vision to the work of Ella’s, and to work alongside a committed team.

• Access to a professional supervisor.

• 28 days holiday, plus bank holidays.

Special conditions

• An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check will be undertaken.

• Due to the nature of the work, this post is for women only.

• The role is subject to a six-month probationary period.

• An ability and willingness to work flexibly, and at other Ella’s locations if required, is necessary for this role.​

More about Ella’s 

Ella’s is a London-based organisation working with women who have survived trafficking and sexual exploitation. Our mission is to do everything we can to ensure survivors have all they need to recover and build lives that are safe and free. 

Here is a summary of our main activities:

• We run six safe houses. This supported accommodation is crucial for survivors, until they are ready and able to live independently. 

• We provide regular support for women and families in neighbourhoods across London, and many more further afield when they need us. 

• We speak out on issues affecting the women we work with. We care deeply about survivors of trafficking and exploitation and want to see a world where these crimes are not tolerated. 

Ella’s is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities, as we believe having a diverse team adds value and positively impacts our service. We actively encourage applicants from BAME backgrounds, LGBTQ+ applicants and those with disabilities. We are committed to equality and diversity within our organisation.

(Photo: Tom Price/Ella’s)