Domestic Abuse Children & Young Person Support Worker

As a Domestic Abuse Children & Young Person Support Worker, you'll be a key player in a dedicated team working across Gwent. Your mission? To tackle issues related to domestic abuse, unhealthy relationships, and gender-based violence head-on with school-age children and young people (CYP).

This isn't just a job; it's a chance to make a profound difference. You'll be raising awareness of Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV), championing healthy relationship values, and challenging harmful gender and social norms that fuel abuse and violence in our society.

You'll deliver a dynamic mix of interactive awareness-raising sessions, early intervention group work, and one-to-one brief support interventions. Our work takes us into a variety of settings, including mainstream schools, youth groups, EOTAS (Education Otherwise Than At School) environments, and Pupil Referral Units (PRUs), ensuring we reach those who need us most.

Through engaging sessions and group activities, you'll empower CYP to critically reflect on gender stereotypes, understand the dynamics of healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, and equip them with positive and safe ways to manage their feelings. You'll also be a crucial link, connecting those already affected by abuse with the right local support services, making sure no child or young person is left unsupported.

We're also passionate about fostering future leaders! You'll encourage CYP to become “Youth VAWDASV Ambassadors”, giving them the platform to spread awareness, support their friends, and speak out against harmful behaviours. By collaborating with local groups and creating youth-friendly resources, they'll play a vital role in promoting respect and kindness among their peers.

• Location: Gwent wide (working across Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen)
• Salary: £23,982
• Hours: 35 per week (occasional flexible working as per service need)
• Annual leave: 25 days rising to a maximum of 32 days pro rata 

Your responsibilities will include:

• Delivering impactful Domestic Abuse (DA) Awareness-Raising sessions to CYP in schools, youth groups, NEET settings, and PRUs. These interactive sessions will educate on VAWDASV, gender-based violence, and its societal impacts, explore gender norms and stereotypes, and promote discussions on healthy relationships, consent, and respectful communication.
• Facilitating group work for CYP to build their understanding of domestic abuse/healthy relationships and develop crucial coping strategies/resilience. This includes leading sessions like Adapt, SPACE (Supporting Parents and Children Emotionally), PAACE (Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences), and bespoke sessions tailored to specific needs.
• Providing trauma-informed one-to-one brief-intervention specialist support when DA is disclosed or identified, including completing risk assessments, risk management plans, and personalised safety plans with onward referrals.
• Working collaboratively with professionals to ensure targeted support for individuals who have attended sessions.
• Championing co-produced innovations, actively involving children and young people as experts by experience to shape, design, and deliver services.
• Identifying and developing “Youth VAWDASV Ambassadors” and supporting them in creating youth-friendly resources and leading forums.
• Maintaining professional working standards in line with Llamau's policies and procedures, particularly regarding confidentiality, safeguarding, and equal opportunities.
• Actively participating in training & development, including multi-agency partnership meetings and individual supervision.
• Contributing to a flexible and collaborative team culture.
• Handling administrative tasks such as processing referrals, completing risk assessments, and ensuring all recording and monitoring are accurate and up-to-date.
• Upholding Health & Safety standards and ensuring support is available for any CYP who makes a disclosure.
• Working flexible hours as per service needs, including occasional evenings, weekends, and being part of the first tier on-call rota (approximately 1 in 8 weeks), which may involve telephone and in-person support for colleagues and occasional out-of-hours project attendance.

Your Experience:

• Working with people affected by or at risk of domestic abuse, and those displaying emerging abusive behaviours.
• Understanding of adverse childhood experiences and their impact on young people.
• Understanding of VAWDASV and its impact on families and communities.
• Understanding of risk assessment and risk management.

Skills:

• Ability to communicate clearly with people with a range of support needs.
• Ability to effectively facilitate group work and manage challenging behaviours within a group.
• Ability to work effectively within supported accommodation/educational settings.
• Ability to work constructively as part of a team and collaboratively throughout the organisation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to organise and prioritise work.
• Proficient computer skills, including MS Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to work on own initiative and under pressure.
• Ability to communicate appropriately and in a non-judgemental way with young people.
• Ability to engage individuals in group work/training.
• Ability to encourage children & young people to contribute to and shape the services they receive.
• Professional approach and attitude, including a strong sense of professional boundaries.
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle.
• Safeguarding procedures for children and adults, including those specific to domestic abuse (e.g., Safe Lives DASH RIC, MARAC).
• The principles of confidentiality/working within GDPR.

Desirable:

• Education: IDVA / ISVA / CHIDVA qualifications or experience as a Group Work facilitator for adults or children (e.g., Freedom programme, recovery toolkit, STAR).
• Experience: Developing and facilitating group work; successfully liaising with a variety of agencies.
• Skills: Knowledge of managing situations that may lead to violence or aggression.
• Personal: Ability to speak Welsh.

Ready to be a part of something truly transformative? Apply now and help us build a safer, more respectful Gwent for our children and young people.

Vetro Recruitment acts as an employment business when supplying temporary staff and as an employment agency when introducing candidates for permanent employment with a client. Vetro is an equal opportunities employer and decisions are made on merit alone.