NB: ONLY WOMEN MAY APPLY FOR THIS POST
Job Title: Domestic Abuse Specialist – Community Services
Responsible to: Community Services Manager
Location / Base: Newtownabbey
Aim of Post: Domestic Abuse Specialists provide trauma-informed, high-quality, pro-active, front-line support and services to women and children impacted by domestic abuse across the region. The DAS Community Service role will deliver needs and risk-led responses and interventions for women experiencing domestic abuse, always ensuring women are central to the process.
Key Responsibilities:
• Provide one to one trauma informed therapeutic and emotional support for women experiencing domestic abuse.
• To provide appropriate support and information service to women in the community with the aim to create sustainable tenancies and consequently prevent homelessness; by supporting them to remain in their homes or resettlement in other suitable accommodation (determined by individual needs and safety).
• To provide a range of support services to assist women in ensuring their own safety and maintaining their independence.
• Caseloads will be individually tailored to each woman and the time needed to build rapport and trust and address the long-term effects of trauma and abuse.
• To establish and maintain positive working relationships with all statutory and voluntary agencies, ensuring effective communication at all times.
Key Responsibilities of Domestic Abuse Specialist:
• Identify and assess the needs and risks of each client referred to the service using an evidence-based risk identification checklist.
• Carry a caseload, working with women to reduce risk, increase safety and create safer relationships.
• Support the empowerment of women (within the self-help ethos of Women’s Aid ABCLN), enabling them to recognise the domestic abuse within their situation and regain control of their lives.
• To deliver trauma informed and therapeutic interventions with women experiencing domestic abuse.
• Establish and maintain links with key agency partners and participate in multi-agency forums/partnership meetings.
• Advocate on behalf of women with statutory and voluntary agencies including housing, job & benefits, social services, healthcare, education, police and legal support.
• Consult with service users and incorporate their views and experiences within service development.
• Ensure all work is carried out to Women’s Aid ABCLN standards and delivered to maximise agreed outcomes.
• Undertake any other duties as required.
Hours of Work: 37 hrs per week
Time-in-lieu can be taken for any additional hours worked.
Salary Scale: £26,421 - £28,770 NICVA/NJC Scale 5
Funded by Supporting People
Women’s Aid ABCLN offer a competitive Benefits Package including:
• Incremental Salary Scale
• 25 Days Annual Leave increasing to 27 Days after five years’ service and 30 Days after 10 years’ service, plus 11 Statutory Holidays
• Generous Pension with Employer Contribution of 8% plus Life Insurance
• Enhanced Occupational Sick Pay
• Carers Leave
• Comprehensive Induction & Training
• Regular Supervision
• Flexible Working options
• Hybrid Working options
For full Job Description and Personal Specification please see Women's Aid ABCLN website.