Job description
DA Refuge Practitioner
Loughborough (Leicestershire - covering Loughborough)
Part-time - 18.5 hours per week
Shift Pattern: Monday-Wednesday or Wednesday-Friday
Permanent
Salary: £12,602 per annum
About the Role
We are looking for a compassionate and dedicated Domestic Abuse (DA) Refuge Practitioner to join a specialist women's refuge service supporting BAME women and their children.
This is a rewarding frontline role where you will provide safe accommodation, emotional support, and advocacy to individuals experiencing domestic abuse, forced marriage, honour-based violence, and other forms of harm.
You will play a vital role in helping women rebuild their safety, independence, and wellbeing, while working within a supportive, culturally responsive team environment.
What You'll Be Doing
Refuge Support & Casework
- Manage referrals, admissions, and risk/needs assessments
- Provide 1:1 emotional and practical support, including safety planning
- Support women to access housing, benefits, legal advice, health, and education services
- Advocate for residents and attend key appointments (e.g. court, housing, GP)
Culturally Sensitive Support
- Deliver culturally appropriate support to BAME women
- Understand and respond to issues such as patriarchy, racism, and community pressures
- Provide interpretation/translation where needed
- Support complex cases including immigration and NRPF
Support Planning
- Develop and review personalised support plans
- Monitor progress and outcomes
- Support move-on and resettlement into independent living
Refuge Operations
- Help maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming refuge environment
- Facilitate house meetings, activities, and community engagement
- Support day-to-day running of the refuge
Safeguarding & Partnership Working
- Safeguard children and vulnerable adults
- Work with agencies such as Social Care, MARAC, Police, and Early Help
- Identify risks and take appropriate action
On-Call & Emergency Support
- Participate in out-of-hours rota (including evenings/nights)
- Respond to emergencies and new referrals when required
Administration
- Maintain accurate case notes, risk assessments, and records
- Ensure compliance with GDPR and confidentiality standards
What We're Looking For
Essential
- Experience supporting BAME women affected by domestic abuse / HBV / forced marriage
- Minimum 2-3 years' experience in a support, safeguarding, or social care setting
- Ability to speak at least one BAME language (e.g. Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, Somali, etc.)
- Strong communication, advocacy, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to manage complex cases and work under pressure
- Good IT and organisational skills
- Flexible approach (including on-call work)
- Commitment to equality, diversity, and anti-discriminatory practice
- Empathy, resilience, and a non-judgemental approach
- Enhanced DBS (or willingness to obtain)
Desirable
- First Aid qualification
- Experience in the voluntary sector
- Knowledge of BAME cultural needs in domestic abuse contexts
- Experience supporting complex needs (mental health, substance misuse, NRPF)
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle
Why Join Us?
- Make a real difference in the lives of women and children
- Be part of a supportive, values-driven team
- Work in a role that is meaningful, impactful, and rewarding
- Opportunities for training and professional development
Apply Now
If you are passionate about supporting survivors and creating safe spaces for women and children, we would love to hear from you.
