A Day in the Life of a Domestic Abuse Worker (Neath Port Talbot)
Michelle Whelan
December 10, 2020
News, Working at Calan DVS
Jacquie Addis, who is originally from Florida in USA, is one of the domestic abuse support worker's at our Neath refuge. Her role is to support women who have entered refuge because they are fleeing from domestic abuse.
Says Jacquie:
My main responsibilities are to support the women who have experienced domestic abuse, I do this through risk assessments, safety plans, Outcome Star (goals) and referring to partner agencies and other support services such as MARAC, GP, Social Services, Legal, Health Visitors and mental health organisations. I also help our service users to apply for benefits, register for housing and enrol the children in school. I also conduct weekly support sessions to residents which gives them an opportunity to ask any questions or raise concerns they may have.
On a typical day, I will have meetings with our service users for 1:1 support sessions. These are used to address service users' questions and concerns, helping them to access services such as benefits, legal support and housing.
I also carry out health and safety checks and address any maintenance concerns. It's also part of my job to complete intake paperwork, risk assessments, outcome stars and individual support plans as well as logging information and case notes on to MODUS. I will also contact people such as social workers, solicitors, police agencies etc. on the client's behalf
In this role, I really enjoy supporting and empowering the ladies in the refuge
Tags: inspiringchange providing sanctuary