Location: MK Act Office, Milton Keynes
Hours: 22 per week
Salary: £15,398.24
Contract: Permanent
Reporting to: Refuge Deputy Manager
Closing Date: 4.11.2025
About Us
MK Act is a long-established domestic abuse charity with over 50 years’ experience supporting individuals and families across Milton Keynes. We provide safety, refuge, advocacy and long-term support, helping survivors rebuild their lives with dignity and stability.
We are seeking a compassionate Family Support Worker to join our refuge team. You will provide day-to-day support to residents, complete assessments, develop support plans and promote a safe, stable and recovery-focused environment. This role suits someone empathetic, organised and committed to trauma-informed practice.
Why Join Us?
* Make a meaningful impact for survivors and their children
* Supportive, specialist team environment
* Professional development and training opportunities
* 25 days’ annual leave (pro rata) + bank holidays
* Additional paid birthday leave
* Free annual eye test
* Opportunity to grow within an expanding charity
Key Responsibilities
Client Support
* Complete assessments of need and risk.
* Provide keyworking, safety planning and practical advice.
* Develop and review support plans using the Empowerment Star.
* Maintain accurate case notes and support Housing Benefit paperwork.
* Identify safeguarding concerns and escalate appropriately.
* Support access to programmes and deliver activities for residents.
* Respond to referrals for refuge accommodation.
Partnership Work
* Work with social care, health and other agencies to support safety and wellbeing.
* Advocate for survivors in multi-agency meetings.
* Build positive working relationships with external partners.
General Duties
* Contribute to monitoring and reporting.
* Participate in the 24-hour on-call rota.
* Report repairs, liaise with contractors and support void management.
* Support volunteers within the service.
* Attend required training, supervision and meetings.
* Ensure compliance with data protection, safeguarding and organisational procedures.
About You
You will thrive in this role if you are empathetic, organised and confident supporting residents with a range of practical and emotional needs.
Essential
* Knowledge of domestic abuse and its impact on survivors and children.
* Understanding of risk, safeguarding and support planning.
* Strong communication skills and ability to work with multiple agencies.
* Experience supporting survivors or vulnerable individuals.
* Ability to remain calm and professional in challenging situations.
* Strong record-keeping and IT skills.
Desirable
* Experience in refuge, domestic abuse or crisis-support environments.
* Experience completing assessments or working with statutory/voluntary agencies.
* Understanding of the Empowerment Star.
* Relevant domestic abuse training or willingness to undertake training.