A Day in the Life of a Women’s Support Practitioner
6:45 AM – A Quiet Start
The alarm goes off and I give myself a few quiet moments before the day begins. This work can be emotionally intense, so starting with a moment of calm is essential. I check my phone—already a WhatsApp message from a client needing emergency accommodation as last night she fled a violent partner. I’ll need to follow up once I’m in.
8:30 AM – Arriving at the Office
At Stepping Stones we work in partnership with local authorities, substance misuse services, housing, and probation. My first task of the day is to contact housing services to arrange temporary accommodation for my client who fled last night.
9:00 AM – Check in with colleagues
Every morning we have a catch up. We discuss our caseload and any safeguarding issues that may arise, but we also check in on each other. Support workers need support too!
9:15 AM – Case Review and MARAC Preparation
I review my case notes and prepare for an upcoming MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference) for one of my clients. She’s at high risk due to escalating violence from her partner who was recently released from prison. I compile updates from probation, police, and substance misuse services to contribute to the risk management plan.
10:00 AM – Group support session
I co-facilitate a program called Own my life. It is a 12 week course enabling women subjected to abuse to take greater ownership over their lives. Throughout the course, they will gain knowledge and understanding to make sense of their experiences and help them move forward with more confidence and control.
12.15 PM Appointment with a Probation Client
I have an appointment with a client who’s been referred by her Probation Officer. She’s on a community order following a shoplifting charge, which stemmed from substance use and coercive control. We talk through her experiences, complete a domestic abuse risk assessment (DASH), and begin drafting a support plan. She’s wary—but just showing up is a huge step.
1:00 PM – Housing Advocacy Call
Back at my desk, I call the local council’s housing team. Another client has been sofa-surfing for weeks, using substances to cope, and the instability is making recovery difficult. We push for priority housing based on her vulnerability, supported by letters from her GP and recovery worker. It’s a familiar battle—slow, frustrating, but necessary.
1:30 PM – Lunch and Catch-Up
I quickly eat while updating case notes—detailing progress, concerns, and next steps. This is crucial for safeguarding and inter-agency communication. I get a call from a client she is at the police station with her children, fleeing her abusive partner. She’s in shock and doesn’t know where to go. I coordinate with the police, secure a refuge placement, and arrange for a taxi to get her there safely. Before she leaves, we do a risk assessment and safety plan.
2:45 PM – Emergency Drop-In
A woman walks in, clearly distressed. She’s come straight from court after a non-molestation order was granted. Her ex breached his bail conditions last night. I contact the police’s domestic abuse team to update them and arrange a safe place for her and her children. She’ll need ongoing support, and I open a new referral on our system.
4:00 PM – Final Notes and Self-Care
I finish my case notes—everything needs to be recorded accurately for safeguarding and continuity. Before I leave, I check in with my line manager for a quick debrief. Reflecting on the day helps me switch off and reset. I head home, knowing tomorrow will bring new challenges—and hopefully, small wins.
Reflections
Support work in the UK’s domestic abuse sector is rarely predictable. It demands resilience, empathy, and tenacity. Every day we walk alongside people on the edge of crisis—helping them find safety, rebuild independence, and feel seen. We work with trauma, but we also witness transformation.
