Welfare Worker- Closing Date: 12 noon Tuesday 16th June.
Interviews will take place on Tuesday 23rd June 2026.
Job Title: Welfare Worker (Women and Families)
Accountable to: Service Manager
Location: Ipswich
Hours: 35 hours per week (9am -5pm, with a shortened day on a Wednesday)
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £25,397 per annum
General Responsibilities:
a) To work with colleagues to maintain good working relationships with other agencies and the public to promote the work of LWA appropriately.
b) To ensure that your attitude and behaviour remain professional and consistent with the expectations of LWA at all times.
c) To ensure that your work is consistent with the policies of LWA
Main Duties:
• Working as a team member: Working with the Welfare Worker team. Participating in regular Team meetings, as well as attending any other meetings or briefings arranged by LWA. Participating in regular one to one support sessions with the Services Manager.
• Referrals and new admissions: Responding quickly and effectively to requests and referrals for accommodation for women experiencing Domestic Abuse. Gathering/verifying information including risk, history and background to ensure that appropriate decisions can be made about admission. Seeking the approval of the Services Manager, in respect of any Referrals where it is not appropriate to admit, for specific reasons.
Making arrangements for new admissions to be accommodated including support with arranging
transport if this is required. Booking in new residents, making them feel comfortable and safe,
and providing what they need to meet any immediate needs.
Explaining the Licence Agreement within the Refuge.
Ensuring that information about women (and children/families) is shared with the Children & Young People’s Team as appropriate.
• Supporting Residents: Providing safe and secure accommodation for women and families who have been subjected to domestic abuse,
Arranging regular individual Support Plan meetings with residents, to offer support and
advice, to enable residents to move forwards. This can include support around Domestic Abuse, housing, health/ mental health and finances.
Provide ongoing support in accessing benefits. Ensuring that the women are empowered to start taking control of their own lives and have the necessary skills to leave Refuge.
Ensuring residents are supported in activities outside the refuge dependent on their needs.
Ensuring that we have a “You Said, We Did” approach to the work we do.
• Housing: Ensuring that residents are supported with making applications for Homelessness, transfers and exchanges and ensuring that they have the information that they need to move on.
• Safeguarding: To comply with LWA Safeguarding Policies and Procedures
• Recording: Ensuring that the Database is updated in accordance with LWA Policies and Data Protection laws.
• Multi Agency Working – working with a range of agencies, for example, housing or the Job Centre to secure best outcomes.
• Equality & Diversity: To be aware of any cultural/additional needs of service users and actively promote the provision of equality, diversity and non-discriminatory practices by LWA in all areas of work.
• Health & Safety: To comply with all aspects of Health & Safety and risk assessments within LWA and report any Health and Safety concerns immediately and take action to minimise any risks identified
Other Duties:
• To work within LWA’s quality management system following all policies and procedures and providing statistical monitoring or reports as required.
• Attend both internal and external meetings, representing LWA as required and positively promote LWA.
• Attend training as required.
• Carry out other tasks consistent with the nature of the post as you may be so directed by the Chief Executive.
Person Specification:
ESSENTIAL: Experience
A minimum of one year’s previous experience of working with clients offering advice and support – either in a paid or in a voluntary capacity
DESIRABLE: Experience
Experience of case management, recording outcomes, monitoring and evaluation systems
ESSENTIAL: Special Knowledge
An understanding of the needs of women and children affected by domestic violence
An understanding of the principles of risk assessment, safety planning and risk management for victims of domestic abuse and their children
Some up-to-date knowledge of housing, criminal, civil and welfare rights legislation relating to domestic abuse
Legal knowledge of domestic violence legislation e.g. Housing Act
Knowledge of the voluntary sector
DESIRABLE: Special Knowldege
Knowledge of Child and Adult Safeguarding procedures and the legal responsibilities surrounding them
Knowledge of existing local services and resources available to LWA service users
ESSENTIAL: Practical and Intellectual Skills
Ability to build supportive relationships with service users and their children whilst maintaining professional boundaries
Excellent communication skills – both verbal and written
Ability to work on your own initiative
Ability to communicate, negotiate and advise effectively in a variety of formats with a range of agencies and service users
Ability to organise and prioritise work
Ability to diffuse difficult situations in a calm and professional manner
Ability to follow policy procedures and guidance
DESIRABLE: Practical and Intellectual Skills
Experience of working in a housing setting
Good I.T. skills – use of Word, Email, Excel, Database
If a car owner / driver, full driving licence and evidence of business insurance cover
ESSENTIAL: Disposition and Attitude
Understanding of and commitment to the ethos of Lighthouse
Ability to provide client focused support with and absolute commitment to the safety and wellbeing of LWA service users
Ability to offer non-judgmental support and value diversity.
Strong empathy with women and children fleeing domestic violence
Ability to work as an effective team member
Ability to actively listen and respond effectively
Ability to work flexibly and be adaptable to meet the needs of the service and service users