Domestic Abuse Safety Officer in Bristol

The postholder will take a trauma‑informative approach and work in accordance with the DASO manual, relevant HMPPS policies and legislation to contribute to risk assessment and client safety planning, as well as acting as a point of contact for the Probation Service for both victims of domestic abuse and people who may be at risk of domestic abuse. Using knowledge and expertise of domestic abuse, a DASO will prioritise based on risk of harm and promote the safety of clients and their children by identifying potential risks and appropriate strategies to protect them from harm, which could be physical, psychological, emotional or financial.

DASOs will advocate for protection of the victims of domestic abuse with whom they come into contact by presenting the victim perspective to staff within the Probation Service and in other agencies, providing domestic abuse expertise and professional advice on domestic abuse issues. Role holders will work collaboratively to support the Probation Service in being responsive to recognising risks by escalating imminent risk concerns related to their clients, contributing to the risk management of the Person on Probation on behalf of their clients. The post holder will work within the aims and values of the Probation Service and HMPPS. This includes demonstrating a commitment to equality and inclusion in line with relevant policies and procedures. Flexible working hours may be required i.e. evening and weekends, where necessary, to be flexible as to when partners/victims can meet/be contacted.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

• Develop strong professional relationships with clients to support and empower clients to navigate formal and legal processes.
• Initiate timely contact with clients and explain the DASO Service, share the Privacy Notice and seek consent for engagement with the Service as demonstrated by obtaining a signed Agreement to Participate form.
• Provide clients with information about the programme that the person on probation is attending, ensuring compliance with relevant disclosure guidance.
• Request feedback from clients at regular intervals throughout the intervention.
• Manage client expectations where needed.
• Carry out safeguarding children and safeguarding adult duties in accordance with the HMPPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies.
• Assess the safety of home visiting using available information on the person on probation (such as Probation assessments and information from Social Services, the Police, Victim Support etc).
• Identify and assess the safety risks and needs of the client in order to promote the safety of clients, children, and other dependants by working with them to construct and regularly review a realistic Safety Plan.
• Regularly refer, liaise and signpost to local support organisations and multi‑agency forums, using a completed DASH risk assessment and/or safety plan as appropriate i.e., MARAC, Social Services, Child Protection Conferences, MAPPA, IOM schemes.
• Timely recording of contacts related to the client, using the relevant digital database.
• Maintain accurate case records within agreed timescales, along with completion of client reports and emails to Probation Practitioners summarising key client issues, as required.
• Develop working knowledge of and good relationships with local networks i.e. specialist police domestic abuse units, Criminal and Family Courts and support organisations, (for example housing, local refuges, victim services, counselling) to enable effective support, signposting and referrals for clients.
• Ensure that any information relating to risks to a client's safety is shared promptly (and in a victim sensitive manner) with the Probation Practitioner, programmes team and other agencies where relevant, and contribute to the risk management process for People on Probation whilst adhering to all policies in respect of the sensitive and confidential information.
• Support the Programme Manager in delivering presentations and providing information about the DASO service, which includes supporting with the mentoring of new post holders and providing awareness sessions to other Probation Practitioners and professionals from other agencies.
• An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non‑contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and/or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre‑employment checks.

Some of MoJ's terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part‑time, flexible and job‑sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part‑time, flexible and job‑sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS' Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

• Annual Leave – 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years' service, plus public holidays. Leave for part‑time and job‑share posts will be calculated on a pro‑rata basis.
• Pension – The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF). Please visit www.gmpf.org.uk for further information.
• Please note: Any current Civil Servant who is a member of the PCSPS, by accepting an offer of employment to the National Probation Services will be opted out of the PCSPS and auto‑enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Training – The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
• Networks – The opportunity to join employee‑run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees of minority groups to be expressed directly to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.
• Eligibility – All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.