Refuge Support Officer Apprentice

To provide individual support to women in refuge who have experienced domestic abuse. Your responsibilities include managing a caseload, conducting admissions and inductions, and ensuring residents understand their rights and health and safety requirements. You will conduct regular key-working sessions, maintain accurate records, and complete necessary risk assessments and safety plans. You will facilitate referrals to other services, support engagement, and share knowledge with the WAL team. Collaboration with other agencies is essential, providing support and advice to adult victims and witnesses of domestic abuse. Safeguarding issues must be raised promptly, and you may attend court and social services case conferences. You will offer advice on housing, education, health, employment, and benefits, empowering service users to access wider support networks. Delivering development programs to service user groups and working closely with partner agencies is crucial. You will facilitate house meetings and support service users in preparing for independent living. During the resettlement period, you may provide remote support and signposting. Attendance at team meetings, training sessions, and clinical supervision is required. Participation in the out-of-hours emergency services rota and covering the helpline when necessary is also part of the role. You will collect rent/service charges and support access to emergency funding. Ensuring service users adhere to their license agreements and conducting daily health and safety inspections are key tasks. Building relationships with appropriate agencies and promoting awareness of domestic abuse and WAL services in the community is vital. You will engage in developing improved working practices and new developments within WAL, working in partnership with other agencies to promote awareness and support service development across Luton.

Training:
Apprentices will be allocated a qualified tutor from Pier Training to support the full completion of the apprenticeship and prepare them for the end-point assessment (sometimes 2 tutors will be required at different times for teaching different elements). The tutor will undertake engaging and interactive teaching, learning and support sessions with the apprentice on a regular basis (at least every 4-5 weeks) remotely via Teams or in the workplace if appropriate to conduct teaching, learning and assessments. These will be planned with the apprentice and employer. The tutor will manage a portfolio of evidence using an Online system called OneFile and give regular updates about progress. Apprentices can contact their tutor inbetween visits to discuss any aspect of their qualification and will be able to access their online portfolio 24/7. On-programme assessment of knowledge, skills and behaviours will lead to the final synoptic end-point assessment.

Training Outcome:
To progress to a Domestic Abuse Support Officer position 

Employer Description:
Women’s Aid in Luton is a specialist domestic abuse organisation, operated by women for women and children. We have developed psychological and trauma informed services to meet the needs of women and children who are survivors of domestic abuse over the past 50 years. Our vision is for all women exposed to gender-based violence and exploitation, and their children, to be safe and have access to appropriate intervention, support, and advice to live free from fear and harm. Our aims are to provide: •Refuge accommodation where women and children may feel safe and receive protection from abuse and persecution. •Support to access medical care, advice and treatment, legal advice and counselling for adults and their children who have suffered injury or impairment to their physical or mental health or have been seriously threatened with the same. •Community support via our Domestic Abuse Helpline and resettlement services. •Training and education opportunities for survivors of domestic abuse. •A peer volunteer programme to recruit and train volunteers that are survivors themselves. •Campaigns to raise the profile of the impact of domestic abuse and highlight the need for further support services.

Working Hours :
The working hours are Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm. The apprentice will also be required to participate in the out of hours on call rota.

Skills:
Communication skills,IT skills,Attention to detail,Organisation skills,Problem solving skills,Administrative skills,Team working,Initiative,Non judgemental,Patience,Driving License& Access to car