Refuge Support Assistant 25 hrs

Salary: £23,275.98 per annum pro rata
**Location:**Contractually based in our Hwb in: Pontypool - Covering refuges across: Torfaen
Contract Type: Permanent in line with funding - Workplace based
Hours & working Pattern: 25 hours per week. Working days (Monday to Friday) and hours (between 9:00am and 4:30pm) are negotiable; however, the successful candidate must be able to work a minimum of four days per week.

Mandatory attendance at supervision, team meetings and training outside of normal hours are paid

**Accountable to:**Refuge Team Leader
Purpose of the post: To provide support and contribute to a safe, welcoming, and trauma-informed refuge environments across Torfaen, for adults and families who have experienced domestic abuse, sexual violence, and other forms of harm. The role involves supporting individuals with a range of complex and co-occurring needs, including issues relating to substance use, mental health, physical health, and experiences of sexual exploitation, promoting safety, wellbeing, recovery, and independence.
Specific responsibilities:
Assist in providing specialist trauma informed support:

• Assist in the delivery of specialist, trauma‑informed support to adults and/or families living in refuge accommodation, many of whom are facing multiple and co‑occurring needs. This may include challenges relating to substance use, mental health, physical health, and/or experiences of sexual exploitation

• Contribute to an environment where support is psychologically informed, compassionate, equitable, and grounded in integrity, where every individual feels safe, heard, and supported.

• Respond appropriately to Safeguarding concerns, reporting them to your line manager without delay.

• Support individuals to access refuge, including arranging transport if needed, offering a warm and respectful welcome, meeting immediate needs (e.g. clothing, food, equipment), and helping them settle into their accommodation

• Assist individuals in understanding and completing initial paperwork on arrival to refuge, in a timely and supportive manner

• Undertake basic support activities, as requested by a Support Worker or senior colleague, in line with an individual’s support plan, needs assessment, risk assessment, safety plan and licence agreement/contract

• Support individuals to maintain their licence/contract agreement through reflective, strengths-based conversations around any minor breaches, and escalating serious concerns to senior colleagues.

• Facilitate opportunities for connection and community among residents, including inclusive evening and weekend communal activities.

• Complete handovers at the end of each shift, both face to face or through appropriate systems to ensure consistency, safety and shared understanding across the team

• Ensure contributions to case notes and other records are factual, person-centred, accurate, timely, and confidential

• Encourage adults within the refuge to complete surveys and share feedback about their experience

Accommodation Management:

• Contribute to the creation of a safe, welcoming, clean, and calm accommodation environment that supports wellbeing and dignity.

• Act as a fire Warden for the building

• To carry out and record health and safety checks and property checks

• Report repairs and maintenance issues promptly as part of repairs process

• Provide access to contractors attending the building and monitor their presence to ensure safety and accountability.

• Advise line manager of any needs relating to furnishings, equipment, or refuge infrastructure.

• Monitor stock levels of consumables and first aid supplies, supporting the ordering process as needed.

• Support Cyfannol’s carbon reduction goals by switching off lights and equipment not in use and promoting sustainable practices.

• Ensure recycling and refuse are ready for collection on designated days, and support residents to engage with these routines.

• Clean private bedrooms/flats including washing and change bed linen, towels, cot bedding, and similar items between occupancies

• Provide access to contractors attending buildings

• Clean communal areas when necessary to uphold standards and minimise health and safety risks, including monitoring residents’ recycling and refuse removal.

• Facilitate ‘motivational cleaning’ activities with residents when appropriate, using a strengths-based and non-judgmental approach

General responsibilities:
Actively contribute to the achievement of Cyfannol Women’s Aid’s Mission, Vision, Aims, Goals and Objectives ensuring your work reflects our commitment to trauma informed practice.
Demonstrate and positively promote Cyfannol’s core values of compassion, integrity, and equity in all aspects of your role.
Proactively promote equality of opportunity, challenging and addressing discriminatory practices wherever they arise.
Represent Cyfannol Women’s Aid in professionally manner, enhancing the organisation’s reputation.
Participate fully in team meetings, management supervision, clinical supervision and relevant training to support continuous learning and development.
Work in accordance with Cyfannol’s policies and procedures, ensuring safe, ethical, legally compliant and consistent practice.
Contribute to Cyfannol’s environmental goals by participating in carbon-reducing initiatives, including the organisation’s pledge campaign

Undertake any other reasonable duties required to support the effective delivery of support services and the wider aims of the organisation.

It may be necessary, following consultation, to amend the job description in light of experience and changing circumstances.

This role requires frequent travel for business purposes. A current valid driving licence, access to a car and insurance covering business use

Closing Date:29th October 2026

We operate a rolling recruitment process and may interview suitable candidates as applications are received. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once the position has been filled

Due to the nature of these roles, they are only open to female applicants (Exempt under the Equality Act 2010, pursuant to Schedule 9, Part 1). A disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service is requireed for all posts