Specialist VAWG ( Violence against women and girls) Support worker- Based at HMP Peterborough

About us

Changing Lives is a nationwide charity helping people facing the most challenging of circumstances to make positive change - for good. We believe that everyone deserves a safe home, a rewarding job and a life free from addiction or abuse. We know that given the right support, anyone can change their life for the better.

Our services across the country help thousands of people each year who are experiencing a wide range of complicated challenges, including homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction, unemployment, involvement with the criminal justice system, sexual exploitation and domestic abuse. By focusing on their strengths, potential and opportunities, we support the people we work with to overcome their problems and live safe, successful, independent lives.

Our charity is powered by over 600 passionate colleagues who bring a diverse and inclusive environment for our colleagues to grow. We are proud to say that many have actual lived experience of the challenges faced by those we support. We are looking for committed and compassionate professionals to join our team, who share our enthusiasm for changing lives.

About the Service - Women and Children's Services

We run services and dedicated women’s centres for those who are at risk or struggling with challenging circumstances, including women in the criminal justice system and those with experience of trauma, selling sex or sexual exploitation.

We understand that women and girls have experiences which are different to men and can experience vulnerabilities that are specific to their gender. Childhood abuse and domestic abuse are common features in the lives of the women we support which impact on their health and wellbeing. Underpinning all our services is an in-depth understanding of trauma and a focus on recovery, resilience and community integration.

About the Job

At Changing Lives our survivors in-reach programme aims to minimise risk and harm, improve health and well-being and support people to build brighter futures.

Changing Lives is working in partnership with the NHS to offer integrated support to domestic abuse and sexual abuse survivors within HMP Peterborough. As part of the specialist team, we will deliver group and one to one session around practical advice, and wellbeing interventions designed to reduce further risks to women upon release.

Our team focus on risk and risk management. We provide support to high-risk victims through trained specialist workers and enable victims to access a range of legal and non-legal advice.

Our Support Workers work with victims of rape and sexual assault and Domestic Violence. They are specially trained to respond sensitively to the needs of the people who have experienced sexual violence, providing both practical and emotional support.

We are looking for a support worker to provide high quality support, safety planning and advocacy as part of a multi-agency response to high-risk victims of domestic abuse. The successful candidate will play an important role in providing specialist tailored support and will work with people who have experienced, domestic abuse, irrespective of whether they have reported to the police. The nature of the support role will vary from case to case and will depend on the needs of the individual and their circumstances.