Part-Time Refuge & Helpline Worker Role
This is a weekend position which also covers some public holidays. As a Refuge & Helpline Worker, you will be working in our women and children's domestic abuse refuge.
The primary purpose of this role is to ensure that women and children who are staying in our refuge remain safe at weekends and on public holidays while the core case workers and Coordinators are off duty. You will provide helpline support to callers and also complete intakes and exits into our refuge service.
Salary Information
Our hourly rates of pay cover both waking and sleeping hours:
- Saturday Shift: €15.00 per hour
- Sunday & Public Holiday Shift: €17.00 per hour
Shift Pattern
You will work 1 x 24 hour & 15 min shift per week. This includes one 2-week rolling rota with one week working the Saturday shift and the following week working the Sunday shift. You will also be required to work at least 5 public holiday shifts per year. This will be in addition to your core weekend shift. Rotas are completed for the year ahead so you will be clear on your working pattern to ensure you can have a good work/life balance.
Job Responsibilities
- Work as part of a team to provide a safe, friendly, happy, and caring environment to women and children and staff, volunteers and visitors.
- Welcome and provide emergency accommodation for women and children subjected to domestic abuse. Ensure they are familiarised with facilities, house rules, practices, and services available.
- Operate the 24-hour helpline and provide information, advocacy, and support to women who contact the Helpline including referring callers to internally/externally programs when appropriate.
- Complete thorough assessments of women/families seeking refuge.
- Always observe and enforce a policy of strict confidentiality in relation to all aspects of the service.
- Ensure all records are maintained accurately and completed by the end of each shift.
- Carry out any out-of-hours admissions, following the admissions/intake policy.
- Support the DV Case Workers and CSW implementation of service users' Support Plans.
- Facilitate regular residents' meetings and encourage client participation.
- Plan and deliver activities for residents.
Health & Safety
- Maintain a high-quality, safe, and healthy living environment through adherence to safety and security protocols and ensuring the environment is maintained to a high standard at all times.
- Promote a safe and relaxed environment for women and children during their stay in the Refuge by ensuring all safety and security protocols are observed.
- Conduct weekly Health & Safety checks of the apartments in refuge.
- Observe all Health and Safety policies of the refuge and ensure that the security of the building is maintained at all times day and night.
- Assist and/or carry out Fire checks/fire drills as per Fire policy and procedure of residents & building.
- Ensure that common areas both internal and external are kept clean and tidy, promoting a high-quality and clean environment for all.
General
- Work effectively as part of a team and be open to reasonable requests from the Refuge Coordinator.
- Have a positive attitude with service users, colleagues, management, and other professionals.
- Liaise with colleagues from all sections of the team to ensure a Trauma Informed approach and empowerment model is used with all service users.
- Use the organisation's databases and systems effectively and as directed by the Refuge Coordinator and the System Quality Coordinator.
- Attend and participate fully in all team meetings, training, and supervision provided by the organisation.