Domestic Abuse Safeguarding Officer

Domestic Abuse Safeguarding Officer - Domestic Abuse Pilot

Annual Salary - £22,221 - £25,473

Full Time - 37 Hours per Week

Fixed Term Contract until 31.07.2014

At Essex County Council, the Whole Essex Community Budgets Team is working on a range of projects aimed at transforming local services. Part of the 'Reducing Domestic Abuse' programme is a pilot scheme to increase engagement with domestic abuse victims in the Basildon and Braintree Districts while working alongside police and other professionals. We are seeking an experienced individual within the domestic abuse field to join the pilot on a Fixed Term Contract basis until 31.07.2014, a as a replacement for a member of staff who is leaving. They will be required to provide safety advice to victims and refer them to other agencies/organisations for further support.

The pilot began in August 2013 and core responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

- Engaging with those high risk victims of domestic abuse who have, for whatever reason, declined to engage with police or other agencies.
- Engaging with medium risk victims with their consent, to enhance the service offered to them;
- Meeting with victims who have no other means of contact.
- Encouraging victims to talk about their circumstances in order to re-assess their risk level using the Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Harassment, and Honour-Based Violence Risk Model (DASH) 2008. This is to ensure that the level of risk remains appropriate should the victim's circumstances have changed.
- Providing victims with nothing less than an appropriate level of safety advice for themselves and their children, and clear information about how and where they may access support if they do wish to accept it at that stage.
- Brokering access to other support services including statutory and non-statutory/third sector organisations.

To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to possess the following:

- Extensive experience of working with partner agencies in the domestic abuse field.
- Demonstrable experience and fully trained in the DASH risk assessment model.
- Proven working knowledge of the principles of safety planning and risk management for domestic abuse victims and their children.
- An excellent understanding of the services available to victims.
- An excellent understanding of civil and criminal justice remedies available to victims.
- A good understanding of the needs of vulnerable people, including those with mental health, drug or alcohol issues.
- First class PC literacy including MS Word & Excel.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
- Compassion, empathy and the ability to cope well in times of crisis are essential attributes.
- The ability to forge strong relationships both internally and externally.
- Full clean driving licence.

Training will be given in the use of relevant Essex Police IT systems and successful candidates will need to pass the appropriate vetting level beforehand.

If you require further clarification please contact the Working for Essex Team via phone.

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL IS COMMITTED TO SAFEGUARDING AND PROMOTING THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS, AND EXPECTS ALL EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS TO SHARE THIS COMMITMENT.

Our aim is to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications, regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief. All applications will be considered solely on merit.

Working for Essex welcome applications from all suitably qualified people regardless of gender, race, disability, age or sexual orientation.

Working for Essex is a trading name of Capita Resourcing Ltd. Services offered are those of an Employment Agency and Employment Business. Applicants will be required to register with us.