Female Children’s Community Worker

We have a rewarding opportunity available for a Female* Children’s Community Worker to join our community outreach team based in Bristol. You will join us on a full-time, fixed term contract basis working 37.5 hours per week with some out of hours and weekend work on occasion. In return, you will receive a competitive salary of Point 12 £26,421 per annum plus benefits.

Established in 1999, Next Link is the leading provider of domestic abuse services to women and children in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. At Next Link we are committed to providing holistic, empowering and personalised support and advocacy to women and children experiencing domestic abuse. With a focus on survivors’ safety and recovery; we believe the provision of flexible support tailored to survivors’ needs can be transforming, helping to maximise independence and self-determination so survivors can make informed choices.

In return for joining us as our Female Children’s Community Worker, we will offer you the following fantastic benefits:

• Up to 30 days annual leave (depending on length of service)
• 3 extra holidays including International Women’s Day
• Excellent development and training opportunities
• Employer pension contribution (minimum 5% of your gross salary)
• Mindful Employer Plus Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Long Service Awards
• Wellness Awards
• Staff Recognition Awards
• Facility to Work from Home once fully trained

About the Female Children’s Community Worker role

As our Female Children’s Community Worker, you will join us and work within our dynamic, fast paced community outreach team, providing play sessions and 1-1 support to children who have experienced domestic abuse. This will be through both structured sessions and free play.

Key duties and responsibilities of our Female Children’s Community Worker:

• Working with children and young people (CYP) aged 0 – 17 who may have experienced or witnessed domestic violence and abuse and are supported in Next Link’s Resettlement and Community services.
• To provide a high-quality service and co-ordinated package of on-going emotional and practical support to CYP who are suffering effects from the trauma of, or have experienced domestic abuse
• To provide personal welfare support to CYP and to ensure that families in the safe house are provided with a safe, supportive and welcoming environment and to maximize the family’s safety when providing support in the community.
• To be responsible for co-ordinating and managing play and educational activities for children in the community. This includes weekend and holiday activities.
• To work with children and young people to help them to become integrated into a new or existing community including getting children placed in schools/nurseries and registered with doctors.
• Develop individual support plans for each child in service as required
• To provide support to women in promoting the mother/child relationship
• To help children begin the healing process of working through their traumatic experiences of domestic abuse and change.
• To help organise and supervise children’s activities during the day and after school as needed. These can be on and off the premises.

What we are looking for in our ideal Female Children’s Community Worker:

• The ability to build rapport quickly with women, children, and young people participating in the service
• The ability to work constructively with the parent/guardian and their children in order to foster their relationships
• Experience of providing support to young people and children under stress and who are vulnerable
• An understanding and awareness of the needs of women and children of all ages who have experienced domestic abuse
• An understanding and knowledge of child protection and safeguarding and the ability to work within national, local and organisational guidelines
• A current, full driving licence and access to a car is required for this role

Closing date: 9am on Friday 5th April 2024
Interviews will be held on w/c 8th April 2024

Please apply now to join us as our Female Children’s Community Worker and contribute to the valuable work Missing Link and its wider services, delivering hope and support to survivors of domestic violence and abuse.

Missing Link is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk of abuse, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Missing Link is committed to Equal Opportunities. .*Due to the specific requirements of this role, this post is exempt under the Equality Act (2010), Part 1, Schedule 9 (Genuine Occupational Requirement).