This Domestic Abuse Safety Officer post sits within the regional Interventions Teams of the South East and Eastern Probation Service, covering Kent. The postholder supports victims and current partners of perpetrators on offending behaviour programmes, building safety plans and managing risk of harm through multi-agency referrals. Evening and weekend hours may be needed to fit around clients, and travel is reimbursed. Formal DASO training is completed on entry, and civil service nationality rules apply.
What the job involves
- Build professional relationships with clients and support them through formal and legal processes, managing their expectations
- Assess the safety risks and needs of clients, children and dependants, and build and regularly review safety plans
- Complete DASH risk assessments and refer clients to multi-agency forums such as MARAC, MAPPA, IOM schemes and child protection conferences
- Share risk information promptly and sensitively with Probation Practitioners, the programmes team and other agencies, and contribute to risk management
- Make initial contact with clients, explain the DASO Service, share the privacy notice and obtain a signed Agreement to Participate
- Carry out safeguarding duties for children and adults under HMPPS statutory responsibilities and agency policy
- Assess the safety of home visits using information from Probation, social services, the police and Victim Support
- Give clients information about the programme the person on probation is attending, within disclosure guidance
- Keep timely, accurate case records and client reports, and send summaries to Probation Practitioners
- Build knowledge of and relationships with local networks such as police domestic abuse units, courts, refuges and support services
- Support the Programme Manager with presentations, awareness sessions and mentoring of new postholders
- Request client feedback at regular intervals
Qualifications
- Formal Probation Service DASO training, completed on entry
Experience
- Strong knowledge of domestic abuse and related issues
- Awareness of how domestic abuse affects partners and children
- Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds who face social or personal difficulties
- Experience working in a trauma-informed way, communicating sensitively
- Experience enabling individuals to identify factors affecting their safety, wellbeing and social inclusion, and options to improve them
Skills & knowledge
- Ability to relate empathetically to victims and people in distressing circumstances
- Good self-management, with above-average initiative and problem solving
- Willingness to ask for assistance or refer a matter when appropriate
- Ability to manage vicarious trauma in a professional manner
- Ability to work at pace in emergency or high-risk situations
- Ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role confidently in English, or in Welsh where specified
Checks & eligibility
- DBS Standard check
- Security and identity checks before taking up post
- Eligibility under civil service nationality rules
Other
- Civil Service behaviours: making effective decisions, communicating and influencing, working together, developing self and others, managing a quality service
What’s offered
- 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 after five years, plus public holidays, pro rata for part-time
- Local Government Pension Scheme through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund
- Hybrid working where business need allows, within the UK
- Training and development opportunities
- Family friendly policies, including reduced hours and job share
- Flexible benefits, including vouchers and discounts
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Contact Details:
The Methodist Church in Britain Recruitment Team
