Domestic Abuse Specialist

Job Title: Domestic Abuse SpecialistContract Type: PermanentSalary: £39345 (£43487 after 12 months of successful performance)Working Hours: 35 hours per week, full timeWorking Pattern: Monday to FridayLocation: North Reg Hub, Carlisle

The difference you will make as a Domestic Abuse Specialist: Deliver a quality, effective victim‑centred Community Safety service to Social Housing, Non‑Social Housing and Care and Support customers, supporting and working alongside front line Housing Officers to support the delivery of the Community Safety Strategy within a specified geographical area.

Being a Domestic Abuse Specialist you will be responsible for leading the organisation in its approach to managing DV, including reviewing, developing and implementing the Riverside domestic violence policy and procedure, and leading the national domestic abuse awareness strategy and training programme.

About you

• Relevant training and qualifications in Domestic Abuse.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, to absorb complex information and present it to different audiences in a clear and accessible way.
• Ability and interest to keep abreast of all latest legal and political developments within domestic abuse.
• Good organisational skills, ability to track priorities, meet deadlines and manage projects.
• Autonomous decision making and advising others on the most effective course of action.
• Commitment and passion for developing and delivering policy and procedure to improve the lives and experiences of Riverside customers.
• Proven track record of delivering a high‑quality service within a housing environment.
• Experience of successfully managing conflict in a prompt, calm and constructive manner.
• Proven track record of successfully solving difficult problems.
• Customer‑focused with excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, showing the ability to meet the needs of a varied customer base.
• Effective stakeholder management, both internally and externally.
• Ability to remain calm in a pressurised environment.
• Excellent team player who can work flexibly to meet business requirements.
• Proficient use of a range of IT packages including Microsoft Office.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to work under pressure, deliver to strict deadlines and manage conflicting priorities.
• Ability to show initiative and propose solutions to issues identified.

Additional Information

• The group has offices across the UK and may require travel to other locations to perform this role, albeit regular support will be required to teams in Camden and Dartford.
• The role will be exposed to sensitive information; therefore the role holder must maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Work flexibly during hours of operation as required.
• Expected to be committed to equal opportunities and promote non‑discriminatory practices in all aspects of work undertaken.

Role Profile

• Provide specialist support to residents experiencing domestic abuse and ensure all aspects of casework are carried out in accordance with relevant legislation and guidance.
• Manage a domestic abuse caseload, adopting a victim‑centred approach, ensuring effective resolution in accordance with agreed processes, standards, timescales and targets.
• Support those experiencing domestic abuse to access appropriate interventions in response to domestic abuse, female genital mutilation, forced marriage and honour‑based violence.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners and contribute to multi‑agency forums including MARAC to improve outcomes for those experiencing domestic abuse.
• Contribute to safeguarding best practice across the business.
• Support frontline housing colleagues responding to domestic abuse and issues.
• Provide support to all areas of the business in the promotion of domestic abuse including training and development.
• Coordinate the DAHA accreditation.
• Contribute to the development of policies, procedures and protocols to support best practice and risk management relating to domestic abuse.
• Coordinate internal processes for sanctuary measures.
• Develop and support Riverside on delivering the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 through high‑quality practice and effective performance nationally across all business streams.
• Lead (or delegate to local colleagues) on inter‑agency risk management meetings where appropriate such as MAPPA and MARAC.
• Implement a Domestic Abuse Policy to support customers, plan projects to meet requirements of Supporting People, Regulations for Social Housing, National Minimum Standards and other statutory bodies.
• Develop policy and procedure in line with legal requirements and in partnership with C&S colleagues and safeguarding leads.
• Provide national guidance and interpretation on relevant policy areas, including legislation and complex cases of domestic abuse to all parts of the business, ensuring best practice is embedded.
• Effectively manage and develop a high‑quality, innovative and proactive domestic abuse service for Riverside.
• Set up projects or presentations to support the domestic abuse service and identify risks and mitigate action, reporting on progress to senior managers, executive directors and governance community.
• Raise service standards on delivery of the service and involve active forums and networks particularly in relation to addressing the needs of domestic abuse victims.
• Maintain communication and working partnerships with other agencies to enhance the service.
• Lead Riverside domestic abuse champions to provide and share good practice across the organisation and link in with safeguarding lead.

Diversity and Inclusion

Riverside is a Disability Confident Employer and operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for any applicant who declares they have a disability. If the applicant meets the minimum requirements they will be guaranteed an interview.

Person Specification

Essential

• Relevant training and qualifications in Domestic Abuse.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, to absorb complex information and present it to different audiences in a clear and accessible way.
• Ability and interest to keep abreast of all latest legal/political developments within domestic abuse.
• Good organisational skills, to track priorities, work to deadlines and manage projects.
• The ability to acquire and maintain knowledge of a policy area or areas, good political judgement and initiative.
• Autonomous decision making and advising others on the most effective course of action.
• Commitment and passion for developing and delivering policy and procedure to improve the lives and experiences of Riverside customers.
• Proven track record of delivering a high‑quality service within a housing environment.
• Experience of successfully managing conflict in a prompt, calm and constructive manner.
• Proven track record of successfully solving difficult problems.
• Customer focused with excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, showing the ability to meet the needs of a varied customer base.
• Effective stakeholder management, both internally and externally.
• The ability to remain calm in a pressurised environment.
• Excellent team player who can work flexibly to meet business requirements.
• Proficient use of a range of IT packages including Microsoft Office.
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to work under pressure, deliver to strict deadlines and manage conflicting priorities.
• Ability to show initiative and propose solutions to issues identified.

Desirable

• IDVA Qualification.
• SCIE Safeguarding Leads Qualification.

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