We know that well supported and empowered staff who share our values are integral to Solace's commitment to social justice and human rights, and our work to end the harm done through Violence Against Women and Girls. We take great pride in our commitment to ensuring the wellbeing and continuous development of our staff, enabling them to carry out their invaluable work each and every day. As part of this commitment, we have lots to offer as an employer!
"I love having a job which enables me to bring my feminist values to my everyday work. I am passionate about ending domestic violence and abuse in all forms, and frontline IDVA work gives me the opportunity to contribute towards this overall social struggle."
Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA)
Staff Wellbeing
Time off
We understand the importance of having meaningful time away from work to rest and recover. Solace offers 25 days (pro rata) of annual leave, excluding Bank Holidays; this then increases up to a maximum of 30 days, with 1 additional day offered after each completed year of service.
We also promote a healthy work-life balance by offering time off in lieu for any significant period of overtime worked.
Employee Assistance Programme through Health Assured
We recognise that staff may not always feel comfortable approaching someone at work with a problem or concern. To this end, we offer confidential counselling through BACP accredited counsellors and advice on a wide range of work and personal issues; including work-life stressors, family and relationship difficulties, financial concerns, and more. The service also includes 6 free face to face counselling sessions, an online wellbeing portal, and an easily accessible app - all offered through our external provider, Health Assured.
Daily Clinical Debriefing
Carrying out Solace's work can be emotionally challenging and we are committed to ensuring that our staff are supported to maintain a healthy mindset and their own resilience, which in turn enables them to empower our service users. Drawing on our holistic roots, we provide daily debriefing sessions with counsellors, encouraging staff to exercise self-reflection and authentic self-awareness so that they too can feel empowered.
Flow & Restore weekly yoga classes
As well as offering yoga sessions to our service users, we also offer a free weekly yoga session to all staff, taught by our very own trauma qualified instructors.
"Yoga practice is where we establish a balance between being aware and growing a sense of feeling safe, grounded and relaxed."
Solace Yoga Trauma Instructor
Flexible Working
We understand that our staff have individual circumstances and commitments to work around and offer a variety of options to support them to work flexibly in line with these; this ranges from flexibility around location (hybrid working) as well as working days/hours.
Learning & Development
Internal Career Progression
Solace has a strong culture of internal progression and we are dedicated to supporting our staff to develop and reach their full potential. This includes a range of opportunities for staff to develop via secondments and permanent promotions.
Training & Qualifications
We pride ourselves on our extensive training programmes available to all staff. One of our annual courses is a National Open College Network (NOCN) Level 3 Certificate in Preventing and Tackling Domestic and Sexual Violence/Abuse (QCF). This a national qualification which is endorsed by the Home Office as suitable for all roles within the Domestic and Sexual Violence Sector. It is equivalent to A Level/AS Level/NVQ Level 3 standard. This is just one example - there are many more on offer!
Clubs & Workshops
We regularly run learning and development workshops, which cover essential topics such as Unconscious Bias, Wellbeing at Work and Mental Health First Aid Training.
Reward & Recognition
Cycle to Work Scheme
Help save the planet and save some money at the same time too! Solace runs a Cycle to Work scheme, through which you can save 25-39% (or more!) on a bike and accessories.
Supporting Home Working
We understand the importance of staff being able to work comfortably and effectively from home throughout the ongoing pandemic. During this time, we offer a payment of £150 to support staff in purchasing any equipment they may need for their home office. After your 2 month review, you will simply be asked to complete a useful homeworking checklist to help identify what equipment you need.
Family Friendly Leave
We offer enhanced Maternity Pay, which also increases in line with length of service:
- Under 2 years of service, we offer 8 weeks at full pay, followed by 31 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)
- After 2 years, this increases to 16 weeks at full pay, followed by 23 weeks of SMP
Length of Service
We are proud to have committed longstanding staff at Solace - as a token of our gratitude, we offer £100 at the 10 year milestone with us!
We hope this offers a helpful overview of everything Solace has to offer.
If you have any queries or would like to find out more about the roles we currently have available, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us. We look forward to hearing from you!