Job title and organisation: Sanctuary Support Worker – LGBTQIA+ Specialist - Behind Closed Doors 

Salary: £28,171 - £28,793* (Pro Rata based on 35 Hours – range reflective of difference between part- and full-time shared role posts)

Hours: 21+ per week

Contract: Fixed Term until March 2028 (with potential to extend subject to funding)

Location: Leeds

Closing date and Time: Wednesday 25 March 2026 at 4pm

Interviews to be held: Thursday, 2nd April 2026

Domestic abuse is always unacceptable. We support everyone affected by it and we act to prevent it. Our Sanctuary Support Team is looking for a compassionate and skilled Sanctuary Support worker to join their dedicated staff. This role is all about providing life-changing one-to-one support for individuals and families who need ‘sanctuary’ to keep them safe from domestic abuse.

This post is held at Behind Closed Doors. We are just one of the partner organisations involved in the Sanctuary Support Team – a city-wide consortium led by Leeds Women’s Aid and employed by Leeds Domestic Violence Service partner organisations, dedicated to helping individuals stay safe in their homes.

Other organisations established in the team are Women’s Health Matters, Karma Nirvana, Shantona, PAFRAS, and Asha Neighbourhood Project. All have a different specialism, working closely together to deliver support and safer housing for individuals and families recovering from domestic abuse.

As our LGBTQIA+ specialist based at Behind Closed Doors, you will be working with victim-survivors from the LGBTQIA+ community, allocated through the Sanctuary Support team leader. You will ensure they receive tailored one-to-one support to rebuild their lives safely, assessing need and risk. For a full list of responsibilities and the person specification, please see our recruitment pack.

This post will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

There is an essential requirement that the post holder has experience of LGBTQIA+ needs and the impact of discrimination. Candidates should demonstrate a thorough understanding of LGBTQIA+ people’s lives, including awareness of the issues that LGBTQIA+ survivors might face.

Please note: This role has 21 hours per week available in the Sanctuary Support project, but there is potential to offer additional hours with a similar role in another Leeds Domestic Violence Service organisation to make this a 35 hour per week post. Please contact lucys@ldvs.uk for further information.

How to apply

Please go to our website (click here) to download and complete our application and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion form. Once complete, send them to us by emailing info@behind-closed-doors.org.uk

Alternatively, click here to download the application pack and here to download the EDI form.

If you have any questions, or would like an informal chat about the role, you can contact the Sanctuary Support Team Leader: Lucy Smithson at LucyS@ldvs.uk

The above post is not a Leeds City Council vacancy and has been advertised on behalf of the relevant organisation. To apply please follow their application instructions.

#EXT

#LI-DNI

Apply for this job