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- Tasks: Assist the public with home safety advice and manage technician schedules.
- Company: Join Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, the largest non-metropolitan fire service in England.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working hours, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community by helping vulnerable individuals stay safe from fires.
- Qualifications: Good academic background and experience dealing with the public, especially vulnerable groups.
- Other info: Full-time and part-time roles available; must be eligible to work in the UK.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 29000 £ per year.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Serviceis looking forHome Safety Assistantsto enhance our team based at our Service Headquarters inExeter. We have 2 roles availableon a Full Time (37 hours per week) permanent contract and 1 role on a Part Time (22.2 hours per week) 12-month fixed term contract. In return, you will receive a competitive salary of £29540 – £32061(gross) per annum.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Serviceis the largest non-metropolitan Fire and Rescue Service in England. We provide prevention, protection, and response services across the counties of Devon and Somerset.
Our vision is that together, we will work to end preventable fire and rescue emergencies, creating a safer world for you and your family. Keeping people safe is what we do, and we owe our fantastic reputation to our highly skilled and motivated workforce.
About the Home Safety Assistantrole:
As our Home Safety Assistant, you will act as the first point of contact for members of the public, partner agencies and internal staff, providing relevant and necessary home safety advice to prevent fires in the home.
You will manage and prioritise the diaries for over 30 Home Safety Technicians for home safety visits, replacement alarms and arson letterbox requests, and liaise with other Departments and external agencies where required.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is an Emergency Service, and this is a very busy role which involves conversations with very vulnerable members of the community, some of which can be distressing, in order to prioritise risks and book Home Safety visits accordingly. We need people who are experienced and confident with this type of role.
Find out more and apply
Key responsibilities as a Home Safety Assistant:
- Act as the first point of contact for members of the public and partner agencies to process and action any requests for Home Safety Visits for the most vulnerable members of the community.
- Act as the first point of contact for Home Safety Technicians regarding changes to their workloads / schedules, to provide information on points of contact and any additional safety information required.
- Manage phone calls to and from extremely vulnerable members of the community, some of which are distressing, in a calm, reassuring and professional manner.
- Control and Monitor the FireKills email inbox and ensure each request is actioned appropriately and in line with required deadlines.
- Use agreed criteria and processes to determine eligibility of highly vulnerable occupants for a home safety visit with an appropriately trained Technician, while also having the authority to use professional judgement to override these criteria and processes when risks are apparent from the initial contact, whether this is over the phone or via written correspondence and arrange a home safety visit. Provide appropriate safety advice, signposting and information to members of the public who are not eligible for a visit.
- Manage and update the Home Safety systems and other essential Community Safety IT based systems quickly and accurately, and in accordance with GDPR requirements.
- To ensure occupants safety by using agreed criteria, processes, and professional judgement, with sensitive and confidential personal information which is received to escalate issues to the Safeguarding Team or Business Safety and to update ORIS information as necessary.
What we are looking for in our Home Safety Assistant:
- Good Academic background
- Knowledge of basic office systems and procedures
- Willingness to undergo Vetting/Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks as required by the Service
- Ability to work effectively and efficiently on own initiative as well as a member of a busy team, taking responsibility for personal performance and responding to feedback
- Good listening and questioning skills
- Flexible and facilitative approach
- A commitment to continuous improvement
- Ability to work under conditions where you are interrupted on a regular basis
Our Identity
If you feel you have the skills and experience to become ourHome Safety Assistantplease click \’apply\’ today, we would love to hear from you. Please note, previous applicants need not apply.
You must be eligible to work in the UK.
You will be required to complete an application form and submit a supporting statement. As part of your supporting statement please ensure you provide evidence of how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role detailed in the Job Description and Person Specification. The evidence provided will be used to shortlist applications received.
- Proven administration and time management skills
- Ability to interpret and appropriately act on guidance/procedures
- Proven ability to maintain confidentiality
- Experience of dealing with members of the public both face to face and on the telephone; ideally experience in dealing with vulnerable groups
- Experience or handling conflict/hostile situation with customers
- Ability to work effectively and efficiently on own initiative as well as a member of a busy team, taking responsibility for personal performance and responding to feedback
To help you complete this part of the application form please find attached below the word document “Support Essential Criteria for completion – Home Safety Assistant” for you to download and complete with your evidence for the above criteria. You can then upload this document where requested when completing your application.
Please note the evidence that you upload to your application should not exceed 2000 words in total.
Evidence submitted in relation to the essential criteria above will be used to shortlist any applications received.
Our values
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment and adhere to the Services Safeguarding Policy.
Fire and Rescue Authority roles are listed in Schedule 1 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order and as such it is our policy to require all applicants to disclose any criminal convictions (both spent and unspent) including driving offences, cautions and reprimands.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority are committed to the rehabilitation of offenders, as such any positive disclosures will incorporate a reasonable and proportionate response.
As a Service and as individuals:
- We are proud to help
- We are honest
- We are respectful
- We are working together
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service recognise and celebrate the vast diversity of the local communities that we serve, and we aspire for this to be reflected in our workforce. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, experience and beliefs, who share our values to consider working for us.
Job number
PS00796
Internal / external
External
Job type
Support
Location
Exeter
Contract type
Permanent
Hours of work
37
20 Aug 2025
02 Sep 2025
JD_Home Safety Assistant 2023 (2).docx
JD_Home Safety Assistant 2023 (2).docx Download
Support Essential Criteria for completion – Home Safety Assistant.docx
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Home Safety Assistant employer: Dsfire
Contact Detail:
Dsfire Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Home Safety Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific responsibilities of a Home Safety Assistant. Understanding the nuances of managing home safety visits and liaising with vulnerable members of the community will help you demonstrate your suitability during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any previous experience you have in dealing with vulnerable groups or in customer service roles. This will show that you possess the necessary skills to handle sensitive situations effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for potential interview questions by thinking about scenarios where you've had to use your judgement in high-pressure situations. Being able to articulate these experiences will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service's values and mission. Aligning your personal values with theirs during your application process can demonstrate your commitment to their vision of community safety.
We think you need these skills to ace Home Safety Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Home Safety Assistant position. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, as this will help you tailor your application effectively.
Craft a Strong Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is crucial. Clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the essential and desirable criteria outlined in the job description. Use specific examples from your past roles to illustrate your skills and competencies.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise any previous experience dealing with vulnerable groups or in customer service roles. Mention your ability to handle distressing situations calmly and professionally, as this is vital for the Home Safety Assistant role.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application and supporting statement. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that all information is clear and concise. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail.
How to prepare for a job interview at Dsfire
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the responsibilities of a Home Safety Assistant. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experiences align with the specific tasks, such as managing diaries for Home Safety Technicians and providing safety advice.
✨Show Empathy and Communication Skills
Since this role involves interacting with vulnerable members of the community, demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and empathetically. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully handled sensitive situations or provided support to those in distress.
✨Highlight Your Administrative Skills
The position requires strong administration and time management skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with office systems and procedures, and provide examples of how you've managed multiple tasks efficiently in a busy environment.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your judgement and decision-making skills. Think about how you would handle situations involving prioritising home safety visits or dealing with conflicts. Practising these scenarios can help you respond confidently during the interview.