Resettlement Officer

Job Title:

Resettlement Officer

  Place of Work:

Refuge and Office Location

22.5 hours (12-month
contract)

  Reports to:

Helpline Team Leader

Hours of Work:

Salary: £15,960

Our Vision:

… is for all women exposed to gender-based violence and exploitation, and their children, to be
safe and have access to appropriate intervention, support, and advice in order to live free from
fear and harm.

Our Aim:

•  We aim to reduce the devastating impact of gender-based abuse and exploitation on all

women and children, through safeguarding, empowerment, and education.

•  We passionately believe that all women and children have a right to feel safe and secure

and to live free from all forms of abuse and violence.

Our Values:

Diversity &
Inclusion

Collaboration

Advocacy

Innovation

We value difference and know that we cannot achieve our vision
without proactively working to dismantle systemic racism and
discrimination. We recognise our role in championing equity for all.
Through our work and how we conduct ourselves as an
organisation, we challenge ourselves, and others, to practice in an
anti-racist and anti-discriminatory way and develop professional
cultures that recognise and challenge oppression in all forms. We
will promote inclusion and ensure we are working towards
establishing the right of all to access help and support that
acknowledges, respects and values individual lived experiences.

We believe in working with women survivors, other organisations,
specialist services and supporters to drive change. This
commitment will see us seeking opportunities to learn from, and
engage with, service users and partner with others to ensure any
woman approaching us for support is able to access the help she
needs.

As experts in the field of gender-based domestic abuse, we want to
be able to use our voice and influence to magnify the voices of
women and children experiencing abuse and exploitation.

We are committed to seeking new solutions to some of the long-
standing, pervasive problems associated with gender-based abuse
and exploitation, as well as new or emerging issues. Wherever
possible, we want to explore new ideas and co-create innovative
interventions to improve outcomes for women, and their children.

  Women’s Aid in Luton is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registered Charity No.1160555.
Our registered office address is 32 – 42 Duke Street Luton Beds LU2 0HH

Helpline: 01582 391856  |  help@womensaidinluton.org  |  womensaidinluton.org  |     @womensaidluton

Job purpose:

Women’s Aid Luton (WAL) supports around 60 women and 20 children each year in refuge, with
families staying on average six months. We are piloting a new Resettlement Officer role to
bridge the gap between refuge and independent living, improving health, wellbeing and long-
term outcomes for survivors of domestic abuse.

The Resettlement Officer will work with women during their final stages in refuge and continue
to provide person-centred, culturally sensitive support for 3–6 months after they move into
independent accommodation.

The role will also deliver an Independent Living Skills (ILS) programme, co-designed with
women in refuge to support women as they leave refuge to live independently.

The role will contribute to learning and service development during this 12-month pilot.

Key Responsibilities

1. Resettlement Support

1.1 To provide high-quality, person-centred resettlement support to women leaving refuge who
have experienced domestic abuse.

1.2 To work with women prior to move-on to assess readiness for independent living, identify
needs and risks, and contribute to individual support and safety plans.

1.3 To provide ongoing support for 3–6 months after women move into independent
accommodation, helping them (and any children) to settle and sustain their tenancy.

Support may include (but is not limited to):

•  Managing household bills and budgeting
•  Tenancy and household management
•  School and nursery applications
•  Accessing health, wellbeing and community services
•  Supporting women to join community groups, training, volunteering or employment
•  Building confidence, independence and social networks

1.4 To empower women to make informed choices and access wider support networks,
promoting independence and resilience.

1.5 To organise regular drop-in sessions for women in resettlement.

1.6 To liaise with Voluntary Groups and Donors to arrange collections, sort and distribute
donations to women and children in resettlement.

  Women’s Aid in Luton is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registered Charity No.1160555.
Our registered office address is 32 – 42 Duke Street Luton Beds LU2 0HH

Helpline: 01582 391856  |  help@womensaidinluton.org  |  womensaidinluton.org  |     @womensaidluton

2. Independent Living Skills (ILS) Programme

2.1 To deliver a rolling Independent Living Skills programme for women in refuge, co-designed
with service users.

2.2 To plan, facilitate and evaluate group sessions (anticipated 5-10 women per programme).

Session topics may include (but are not limited to) budgeting, cooking, household management,
tenancy rights and responsibilities, and wellbeing.

2.3 To work in partnership with the wider team to ensure participation in ILS sessions forms
part of each woman’s individual support plan.

2.4 To adapt delivery to meet diverse cultural, language and accessibility needs.

3. Helpline and Service Support

3.1 To provide occasional cover for the WAL telephone helpline, as required, in line with training
and service needs.

To work flexibly as part of the wider WAL team, supporting colleagues and contributing to
service continuity.

To participate in team meetings, training, reflective practice and clinical supervision.

4. Organisational Development

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4
4.5

4.6

4.7
4.8
4.9

To ensure accurate, timely and confidential record-keeping using the case management
system (Oasis).
To complete and regularly update risk assessments, safety plans and outcomes
monitoring tools (e.g. Outcomes Star).
To build relationships and networks with appropriate agencies in order to support and
advocate for women and support them to overcome barriers.
To promote awareness of Domestic Abuse and WAL services in the wider community.
To work in partnership with other agencies to promote awareness of Domestic Abuse
and support to develop services across Luton.
Adhere to WAL’s policies and procedures including safeguarding, confidentiality, GDPR,
and professional boundaries.
Participate in training and continuous professional development.
Contribute to organisational fundraising, awareness raising and events where required.
To undertake any other duties as required and directed in accordance with the needs of
the Organisation.

Person Specification

Essential

  Women’s Aid in Luton is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registered Charity No.1160555.
Our registered office address is 32 – 42 Duke Street Luton Beds LU2 0HH

Helpline: 01582 391856  |  help@womensaidinluton.org  |  womensaidinluton.org  |     @womensaidluton

Essential:

•  Experience supporting women affected by domestic abuse or similar complex needs
•  Understanding of the importance of trauma-informed practice
•  Experience of casework, risk assessment and support planning
•  Ability to facilitate group work and deliver practical skills sessions
•  Excellent communication and record-keeping skills
•  Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
•  Commitment to equality, diversity, and anti-discriminatory practice

Desirable:

•  Experience of resettlement or tenancy sustainment work
•  Knowledge of housing, welfare benefits and community services
•  Experience using outcomes monitoring tools (e.g. Outcomes Star)
•  Experience covering a helpline or crisis support line

ASPECTS OF THE ROLE

Financial Resources:

The postholder will not have specific budgetary responsibilities; but they will be expected to
support the Organisation in achieving their fiscal targets through the provision of timely
information and returns.

Context:

Due to the sensitive nature if this role we will be considering female applicants only for this
post in accordance with the provisions of the Occupational Requirement (Equality Act 2010,
pursuant to schedule 9 part 1)

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974:

Because of the nature of this job, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal
record disclosure to be undertaken. Therefore, it is essential in making your application you
disclose whether you have any pending charges, convictions, bind-over or cautions and, if so,
for which offences. This post will be exempt from the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the
Rehabilitation of Offenders 1974 (Exemptions) (Amendments) Order 1986. Therefore,
applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other
purposes are ‘spent’ under the provision of the Act, and, in the event of the employment
being taken up. The fact that a pending charge, conviction, bind-over or caution has been
recorded against you will not necessarily debar you from consideration for this appointment.
Disclosures are handled in accordance with the DBS (formerly CRB) Code of Practice.

Physical Resources:

None

Physical Effort / Strain:

Accessing buildings which are on several levels.

  Women’s Aid in Luton is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registered Charity No.1160555.
Our registered office address is 32 – 42 Duke Street Luton Beds LU2 0HH

Helpline: 01582 391856  |  help@womensaidinluton.org  |  womensaidinluton.org  |     @womensaidluton

Working Environment:

The work will be undertaken across all locations within Women’s Aid Luton

Charitable Status:

WAL is a registered charity and as such, all employees are expected to contribute to work
undertaken by the Organisation in respect of ‘fundraising’ and ‘income generation’.

Policies and Procedures:

All staff working within WAL are expected to adhere to all policies and procedures relevant to
their employment and each have a responsibility to ensure that they are aware of the current
policies that are in place.  Specifically, all staff will be responsible for adhering to those
policies and practice concerning Financial Controls Health & Safety and Data
Protection/Confidentiality.

Responsive to Change:

WAL is an organisation dedicated to development and as such all employees must be open to
change. The organization is duties and responsibilities highlighted in this job description are
indicative and may vary over time.  The post-holder is expected to undertake their duties and
responsibilities commensurate with the nature, level and scope of this post and to work
flexibly within the agreed hours to ensure that the needs of the Business and its service-
users can be met.

  Women’s Aid in Luton is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registered Charity No.1160555.
Our registered office address is 32 – 42 Duke Street Luton Beds LU2 0HH

Helpline: 01582 391856  |  help@womensaidinluton.org  |  womensaidinluton.org  |     @womensaidluton