**Domestic Violence Abuse & Housing Support Worker**

**Location: Dorset - Covering Purbeck and the East Locality**

**Salary: £25,972**

**Contract Type: Permanent and Full-Time**

**Essential Requirements**:

- Health & Social Care qualification or equivalent to NVQ 3 or equivalent work level experience
- Full UK Driving Licence with use of a car for business travel
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends and on call as required
- Ability to work across the county

**The Role**:

- You will be the point of contact for the intake of all people referred for crisis accommodation
- You will ensure that all licence and tenancy agreements are signed and saved correctly, and that all rents are applied for and each person pays their rent regularly
- In the case of rent arrears you will report to the line manager, follow YOU’s financial processes and work with each person to support them to pay their rent and maintain their home
- You will carry out weekly health and safety checks and regular audits, ensuring all properties are visited at least weekly
- You hold a case load of clients and manage your diary ensuring you meet the needs of clients as individuals
- You will provide 1:1 support to enable the client to understand the impact of DVA
- You will monitor, review and reassess safety plans and support plans ensuring interventions are appropriate for level of risk and share this information with colleagues
- You will co-produce full risk assessments with the client and ensure their needs and circumstances are reflected within all safety and support plans
- You will ensure the refuge and safe houses are staffed appropriately, balancing your outreach appointments with your accommodation tasks and clients

**About You**:

- Experience of working with people affected by domestic violence and abuse
- Understanding of the issues affecting people who have experienced domestic violence and abuse
- Understanding and commitment to diversity and inclusion responsibilities
- Knowledge of Safeguarding issues and processes
- Skills with IT, including Microsoft Office packages and ability to keep records and write reports
- Ability to communicate effectively with families in distress
- Ability to self-reflect and willing to participate in development programmes to maintain knowledge and skills required
- Ability to be person centred, trustworthy, flexible and solution focused
- Ability to manage own workload and client caseload demonstrating excellent prioritisation and organisational skills
- Ability to work client focused flexible hours, including evenings, nights as required and weekends and form part of an on call rota which may require night time call out.

**The Service**:
Paragon is the Hidden Violence and Abuse Service covering Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. This innovative and exciting service works with victims of domestic abuse, stalking, sexual crime and children and young people.

YOU is a registered charity that has been providing care, support and advice for over 30 years to vulnerable people across Hampshire, Dorset, West Sussex, Somerset and the Isle of Wight, giving them the tools and resources they need to live independent, secure and valued lives.

**Our Benefits**:
If you choose to begin a career with our organisation, you are guaranteed:

- Competitive rates of pay and paid travel time, including a higher mileage rate for car sharing.
- Enhanced annual leave entitlements, with the opportunity to buy and sell holiday.
- Matched pension scheme contributions, plus Death in Service Benefit and salary sacrifice options.
- Enhanced sick pay allowances and paid compassionate and emergency dependent leave.
- Excellent and professionally certified training, as well as access to fully-funded apprenticeship programmes.
- Real opportunities to develop in your profession.
- Free health and wellbeing advice via a 24/7, confidential Employee Assistance Programme.
- Everything you need to carry out your role free of charge, which may include a mobile phone, safety equipment and other necessary technology, a uniform where applicable, and of course a nice cup of tea or coffee throughout your day
- Access to discounts across lots of your favourite stores and online shopping sites, as well as discounted bus travel on the First bus network.
- A company that is committed to its employees, valuing their knowledge, creativity and flexibility.
- The chance to work with amazing people.

IND3

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Salary**: £25,972.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Additional leave
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- On-site parking
- Referral programme
- Sick pay
- Wellness programme

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability

Application question(s):

- Please tell us about your experience supporting people who have experienced domestic violence

Licence/Certification:

- Driving Licence (required)

Work authorisation:

- United