Advice Worker - Closing Date: 12 noon, Tuesday 27th January 2026.
Based at Women’s Centre, Ipswich.
Interviews will take place on Thursday 5th February 2026
Job Title: Advice Worker
Accountable to: Services Manager
Location: Ipswich
Salary: £25,397 pro rata
Hours: 28 hours per week (4 days a week to include Thursday and Friday)
General Responsibilities:
a) To assist all Lighthouse Women’s Aid staff, Officers and Volunteers in maintaining good working relationships with other agencies and the public, in order to promote the work of the charity and increase financial support for the charity.
b) To ensure that your attitude and behaviour remains professional and consistent with the expectations of Lighthouse Women’s Aid at all times.
c) To ensure that your work is consistent with the policies and procedures of Lighthouse Women’s Aid
Main Duties:
1. To provide general day-to-day support to the Services Manager and to work alongside the Lighthouse team in delivering services.
2. To work in collaboration with the Services Manager and other members of the Community Services team in respect of the range of community services being delivered. To ensure that these services are planned in advance, are delivered to a high standard, and are subsequently evaluated and reviewed. This will include responding to referrals.
3. Working as part of a team having responsibility for working with clients in providing advice on domestic abuse (whether current or historic), identifying levels of risk and appropriate support for service users accessing the Centre. Whilst working with clients to work with them in a trauma informed way.
4. To deliver additional sessions for the benefit of clients, for example, advice on child contact sessions and other such sessions dependent on need.
5. To provide office cover at the Centre as required, responding appropriately to queries as they arise.
6. To promote the work of Lighthouse Women’s Aid through general awareness-raising of the work of the organisation.
7. To ensure you are up to date with referral processes to other agencies and that these are made bearing in mind the safety of the client.
8. To comply fully with LWA Safeguarding policies and procedures.
Working as a team member:
9. To participate in regular support sessions with the Services Manager.
10. To give support and mentoring to those Volunteers/ other member of staff who have a role in supporting the work of the Community Services Team.
11. To ensure that all relevant issues are addressed and that information is shared as necessary, to provide a safe and seamless service and to keep Lighthouse Women’s Aid colleagues fully informed.
General Administrative support:
12. To ensure that any programmes/ work is evaluated, and this contributes to the development of the service.
13. To input spreadsheet / database information for the storing and collection of data and statistics, in relation to services provided by the Community Services Team. All information to be stored and used in line with GDPR regulations
14. To design and produce posters, leaflets, handouts, training materials, in respect of services that are provided by the Community Services Team, and to publicise services that are available to be accessed as appropriate
15. To ensure that all enquiries to, and requests for information from, the Community Services Team can, before being responded to, be established as coming from an appropriate, and legitimate source.
16. To ensure that confidentiality of information is maintained at all times, and that paperwork and computer access is kept secure and that any relevant information no longer required is either securely archived or suitably disposed of by shredding, without delay.
17. To report any health and safety issues in relation to Community Services premises, to the Services Manager without delay.
18. To provide support and assistance in respect of any incident or accident involving an adult, child, young person, member of staff or volunteer, during the course of work. In the event of an accident, ensure that details are recorded in the Accident Book and that the Services Manager is informed.
Other Duties:
19. To attend both internal and external meetings, representing Lighthouse Women’s Aid as required.
20. To attend training as required.
21. To carry out other tasks consistent with the nature of the post as you may be so directed by the Chief Executive.
Person Profile.
Experience
Essential - A minimum of two year’s previous experience of working with clients offering advice and support – either in a paid or in a voluntary capacity
Experience in the field of domestic abuse. Knowledge of safeguarding and how domestic abuse can impact on behaviours.
Desirable - Experience in the field of domestic abuse
Special Circumstances
Essential - Ability and willingness to travel between different premises if required.
Desirable - Car owner/driver, full driving licence and evidence of business insurance cover.
Special Knowledge
Essential - Knowledge of the voluntary sector and the work of Lighthouse Women’s Aid.
An understanding of the needs of women and children affected by domestic abuse.
Knowledge of issues for women coming out of a domestic abuse relationship, for example, child contact and the risk they present.
Knowledge of referral agencies to refer clients to.
Knowledge of assessing risk.
Knowledge of trauma informed practice and how trauma can affect clients, how you can empower women and children through trauma. Knowledge.
Desirable - Knowledge of the Children Act and Child Protection Policy and Procedures.
Knowledge of Adult Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.
Practical and Intellectual Skills
Essential - Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
Evidence of team working skills.
Good I.T. skills, use of Word, Email, Excel, Internet, Databases, Clip Art and similar computer applications for researching material and producing literature and information.
Ability to use initiative, for example, developing work in response to the needs of clients.
Ability to advocate for clients and use client feedback to develop delivery.
Willing and able to make routine decisions.
Ability to influence and persuade others.
Ability to work under pressure.
Ability to diffuse difficult situations in a calm and professional manner.
Ability to follow policy procedures and guidance.
Ability to work in collaboration and cooperation with colleagues within the organisation as well as external agencies.
Disposition and Attitude
Essential - Understanding of and commitment to the ethos of Lighthouse Women’s Aid.
Client focussed - women, children and families.
Strong empathy with women and children fleeing domestic violence.
Honest and reliable.
Good listener.
Flexible and adaptable.
Good timekeeper.