Women's Health Worker

The Greater Manchester Women’s Support Alliance (GMWSA) was established in 2016 by seven organisations who provide support services to women across all ten boroughs in Greater Manchester (GM) who may be vulnerable or have unmet support needs. We came together as the GMWSA in order to ensure that our collective voice is heard by policy makers and commissioners of services. We represent the interests of our beneficiaries and service users, we share good practice and experience and ensure that no service operates in isolation. 

GMWSA is now formed of nine Member and Associate Member women’s centres having a presence in each of the 10 local authority areas across GM all of whom are collectively funded to deliver support services across GM to women either involved in the Criminal Justice System, or whose vulnerability and marginalisation leaves them at risk of offending, but all also have individual funding streams to ensure their provision reaches every woman in need of support. Alliance members offer a full range of services to women who need support around issues such as domestic abuse, housing, mental health, substance misuse, education, employment, training, and confidence/self-esteem, all delivered with a trauma responsive approach.

Our Mission

To fund or provide high quality services to support, safeguard and empower vulnerable Women facing multiple disadvantage, to help them take control of, and rebuild, their lives.

Our Vision

To see an approach to Women facing multiple disadvantages which emphasises early intervention and prevention, diverting women away from statutory intervention.

Our Values

• A strong sense of justice.
• A belief in a common purpose and a strong partnership approach, both with GMWSA members and partners.
• The promotion of Equality and Diversity.
• A belief in our service users’ ability to change and develop, have a voice in and contribute towards our service delivery.
• Transparency and accountability
• An evidence-led approach to service delivery, and traumaresponsive services.

This post is open to WOMEN ONLY, exempt under the Sex Discrimination Act (1975) Section 7(2) and in accordance with our safeguarding procedures, will require a DBS check.

This post will cover Rochdale and Oldham worked 37.5 hours (Full-time) at both Women’s Centres, or 19 hours (Part-time) at one of the two Women’s Centres. Please indicate your preference on your application.

If you would like to discuss the role, would like more information, or to receive an application form please contact, admin@gmwsa.org.uk or download an application form from our website https://www.gmwsa.org/jobs 

Purpose of the Role

You will work in partnership with our Women’s Centres in Rochdale and/or Oldham and Greater Manchester NHS Liaison and Diversion (L&D) Service to holistically support and work collaboratively with vulnerable and marginalised women, who have been referred to GMWSA to meet their unmet health needs by supporting them to access primary care and health partner agencies You will be the primary point of contact within GMWSA to assist with locating, developing, and signposting women to sources of holistic support such as physical unmet health needs. The work will be trauma-informed, collaborative, strengths-based based and most importantly client-led. You’ll work closely with other services both internal and external such as GMWSA Therapy Service, GMWSA case workers, Probation, our partner agencies as well as other statutory and non-statutory agencies as appropriate to the individual.

General Work-Related Expectations

• To work within GMWSA Values, Ethos and Vision
• To contribute to the development of GMWSA.
• To maintain a knowledge and awareness and work in accordance with relevant legislation.
• To work in accordance with all Policies and Procedures of GMWSA.
• To identify and attend training as required.
• To undergo supervision.
• To comply with operational reporting procedures.
• To work as part of a team.
• Able to organise own workload
• Able to inspire and motivate others
• Commitment to continual professional development
• To adhere to ethical, legal, and quality standards.
• To be responsible for ensuring the provision of high quality, effective services.
• To support and promote user involvement in all aspects of service development and delivery.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Client Care:

• To work in collaboration with L&D and Caseworker to best meet the individuals needs including risk management.
• To provide a service to individuals who are often experiencing complex social circumstances, using agreed, person-centred based principles.
• To negotiate and support access for individuals to community-based services and activities that will support them to live well.
• To support clients at meetings including health appointments.
• Organising and delivering group work and/or assisting with group work as appropriate, working with other agencies and organisations.
• Developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with community organisations and others who refer women to the service

Communication:

• To keep accurate and up to date records, using appropriate IT systems including evidence of assessments undertaken and visits completed, together with any other work carried out. All reports to be placed within client files.
• To make day-to-day decisions in accordance with the range of duties and within the parameters and supervision of Line Manager and referring to the Health Service Manager as appropriate.
• To record and maintain client information on databases and appropriate information systems.

Information Management:

• To keep an accurate record of all client contact, including telephone calls and the nature of all interactions, contributing to the GMWSA database and NHS system, PARIS.
• To maintain accurate, confidential service-user records of interventions and contact details as per GMWSA policies and procedures.
• To produce reports and evaluations in consultation with other staff members on all work carried out and as requested, working within set deadlines.

Personal / Professional / Development and Training:

• To continually reflect on your own professional performance through participation in regular supervision sessions with Line Manager as well as ongoing informal consultation to keep the centre supervisor informed of any changes that require management decisions.
• To contribute to the development of the team and to new forms of work or service.
• To undertake essential training whenever is required to stay up-to-date with the practices essential for the role and to develop new skills and knowledge.
• To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of and awareness of developments in public policy and legislation regarding women in the criminal justice system and related subjects

Person Specification:

Essential Skills and Abilities:

• Able to engage with women from all sections of the community, including people who might need additional support to participate.
• Able to work collaboratively with community organisations that provide wellbeing activities as vital partners in social prescribing.
• Can do attitude, with an open mind and creative approach to working with people.
• Able to relate to people with a positive and non-judgemental approach.
• Able to stay calm in challenging situations and have a measured response.
• Able to motivate and empower others.

Desirable Skills and Abilities:

• Able to deliver group work.
• Able to contribute to the development, evaluation and monitoring of the project.
• Able to use different CRM systems (i.e. Charity Log, PARIS).
• Able to record and keep accurate data into CRM systems.

Essential Knowledge:

• A relevant qualification or equivalent work experience.
• Awareness of specific issues affecting women and the possible impact on women who have experienced domestic or sexual abuse.
• Of the impact of trauma and the complexity of its presentation.
• Of the issues that women face who have been involved with the criminal justice system.
• Of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic, and environmental factors and their impact on communities, individuals, and their families.
• Of Safeguarding legislation.
• Of legal issues relating to domestic abuse.

Desirable Knowledge:

• Of the different services both voluntary and statutory in Greater Manchester.
• Of voluntary sector.

Desirable Knowledge:

• Therapy / Counselling diploma, NVQ 3 Qualification in health and social care.

Essential Experience:

• Of supporting people with additional vulnerabilities and complex needs.
• Of delivering / arranging services appropriate to need.
• Of creating, recording and implementing support plans.
• Of holistic methods of support.

Accountable to: GMWSA Executive Committee

Responsible to: Health Service & Partnership Manager

Based: Rochdale and/or Oldham

Hours: 37.5 per week or 19 per week

Salary: £25,292 per annum (£12,814 pro rata)

Pension: 5% Employee & Employer Work Place Pension

Annual Leave: 25 days, plus bank holidays and the days between Christmas and New Year, rising by 1 day per year of continued service to a maximum of 30 days. Pro-rata for part-time staff.