Empowerment Practitioner

Posting date:	04 June 2026
Salary:	£30,000 per year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	19 June 2026
Location:	Liverpool, Merseyside
Remote working:	On-site only
Company:	You Matter
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:

Summary

Why this role would be great for you
We are excited to announce the launch of our new DARS (Domestic Abuse Response Service), starting on 1st July. DARS has been developed to provide specialist, inclusive support to individuals affected by domestic abuse who have added complexities, ensuring that both males and females receive the tailored help they need in a safe and supportive environment.

As we prepare for this exciting new chapter, we are currently recruiting passionate and dedicated male and female staff to join our team. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of an innovative service from the very beginning and to make a genuine difference in people’s lives.

If you are committed to supporting individuals affected by domestic abuse and want to be part of a forward-thinking service, we would love to hear from you.

The Empowerment Practitioners (EP) will be skilled in delivering a range of interventions to adults, children and young people to build strength, enhance resilience and encourage progress. The post holder will be responsible for managing a case load of households and will have the primary role of providing and co-ordinating support interventions and multi-agency activity.

All EP’s will undergo Cognitive Analytic Therapy Skills Training (CAT) this will provide a framework for understanding and working with households. Training will also be provided around Trauma Informed Care. These approaches will be used for planning and assessing effectiveness of a variety of interventions and risk management.

Our service is built on values of hope, empowerment, choice, and independence, and we strive to provide children with opportunities to thrive, play, and heal.

Domestic Abuse Focus

This role sits within services that support individuals with lived experience of domestic abuse. The postholder will be expected to work in a trauma‑informed, survivor‑centred way, recognising the impact of domestic abuse on individuals and families, and responding in a manner that promotes safety, empowerment, and choice.

What your week may look like
Empowerment Practitioners will be skilled in delivering a range of interventions for Empowerment Practitioners to build strength, enhance resilience and encourage progress. The post holder will be responsible for providing key work support to a caseload and will have the primary role of providing and co-coordinating support interventions and multi-agency activity.

Working as part of the daytime Support Team
Ensuring each person will receive personalised support considering their identified risks and personal needs
Engaging with professionals and other providers to provide a safe space to complete support sessions.
Providing a safe, welcoming environment with excellent standards and an ethos of service delivery that encourages all service users to engage with support on offer
To respond to emergency referrals and/or situations.
It is recognised that the association is operating in a dynamic environment and as such this job description may be varied in consultation with the post holder to reflect evolving needs of the business and changing nature of the job.

The skills we are looking for
Work safely and sensitively with survivors of domestic abuse, recognising risk, harm, and patterns of power and control.
Contribute to safety planning and risk management in line with organisational safeguarding procedures and multi agency frameworks.
Support service users to make informed decisions, respecting autonomy while prioritising safety.
Maintain accurate, professional records relating to domestic abuse, safeguarding concerns, and risk.
Work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners where domestic abuse or safeguarding is identified.
EXPERIENCE

Experience of working with households with a history of domestic violence, mental health, homelessness or substance misuse.
Experience of Adults and Children Safeguarding
At least 2 years’ experience of working within a Refuge or Domestic Abuse support service
Experience of partnership working
Experience of creative support planning and target setting
Experience of support planning using “The Outcome Star”
Experience of formulating risk assessments
Experience of resettling individuals into independent accommodation
Experience of formulating Risk Assessments and Safety Plans for DA clients.
KNOWLEDGE

A working knowledge of providing support
A working knowledge of Health & Safety issues
A clear understanding of complex needs support issues such as mental health, homelessness, substance misuse and offending
Knowledge of safeguarding protocols
Understanding of how to deal with challenging and chaotic individuals
COMMUNICATION

Excellent communication, engagement and interpersonal skills
Excellent administration skills
EMPATHY and RESPECT

YMCA ethos, philosophy and SHREK values, Strength, Humility, Respect, Empathy and Kindness
Energetic, dynamic and self motivated
COMMITMENT

Committed to improving the lives of people with complex needs
Committed to own personal development and CPD planning
ORGANISATION

Creative and dynamic approach with the ability to “think outside of the box” when providing solutions
Energetic, highly motivated with a reputation of being held in high regard by peers
Excellent interpersonal/ communication skills
Excellent negotiation/ mediation skills
Committed to own career development
COMPUTER LITERACY

Computer literate, competent in working with Microsoft word, outlook, windows
What is a nice to have
Experience of working within a psychologically informed environment (PIE)
Experience of Trauma Informed Care and of working in a therapeutic environment
Knowledge and understanding of Social Care involvement and the steps taken by Social workers to keep children safe, i.e. Child in need/Child protection and EHATS