Domestic Abuse Practitioner

**Would you like to be part of our team, working to prevent domestic abuse in all its forms and to support and empower those affected by it?**

We provide a range of practical and confidential help and support services for residents in West Sussex, including refuge accommodation for women and their children, recovery support groups for adults, 1 to 1 guidance and advocacy, and training and support for professionals.

As a **Domestic Abuse Practitioner**you will work as part of the Community Groups Team to provide a high quality and proactive frontline service to victims and survivors of domestic abuse, delivering a pathway of support focusing on safety by completing a holistic, client-centred needs assessment. Your focus will be on empowering and supporting adult victims and survivors of domestic abuse to make positive choices.
- Location: Locations across West Sussex, including Worthing, Ferring and Littlehampton, with opportunities for hybrid working
- Hours: 25 to 30 per week from Monday to Thursday

Note: this is a fixed term contract initially through to 31st March 2026 in line with funding.
- Salary: £26,406 per annum (full time equivalent)
- Benefits: 5 working weeks holiday plus bank holidays (pro rata); Auto-enrolment into the NEST pension scheme after 3 months’ service; Enhanced sickness pay after probationary period; Personal and professional development opportunities; Employee Assistance Programme (24 hour access to wellbeing, legal and family support)

**Your role will be busy, interesting and challenging. Key responsibilities will include**:

- Supporting women who access our Community Groups programmes to receive one to one support
- Identifying and assessing the risks and needs of DA victims and survivors using an evidence-based risk identification checklist, providing a proactive intervention service through individual safety planning
- Providing advocacy, emotional and practical support and information to service users in relation to legal options, housing, health and finance
- Working with relevant statutory and other partners to address the safety of victims and survivors and ensure safety plans are coordinated, particularly through the MARAC process
- Managing a diverse caseload effectively, maintaining accurate records and continually reviewing cases to ensure up to date action planning for progression, signposting or closure as appropriate
- Empowering our service users, helping them to recognise the features and dynamics of DA, regain control of their lives, and supporting them with the transition from abusive situations into safe and independent living
- Supporting the Community Groups Team through attendance at groups, and helping facilitate when needed
- Respecting the diversity of the community, recognising the needs and concerns of a diverse range of service users and ensuring the service is accessible to all
- Ensuring any safeguarding issues for children or vulnerable adults are raised immediately as per our safeguarding policies.

**This job could be right for you** **if you have**:

- experience of providing direct, emotional and practical support to vulnerable people
- a good working knowledge of domestic abuse including the impact it has on victims and their children, and a knowledge of civil and criminal justice remedies
- an understanding of child protection issues and related legal responsibilities
- a sound knowledge of safeguarding vulnerable adults and children, including risk assessment, safety planning and risk management
- excellent communication, negotiation and advisory skills - both written and verbal, including crisis management skills.
- the ability to work effectively and empathetically in difficult and challenging situations, and to work within a multi-agency framework

Above all else, we would like to hear from you if you are passionate about working hard to ensure that women who access our community run groups are empowered and supported so that they can make positive choices and rebuild their lives.

**To Apply**

**The closing date** is 5th March 2025. Interviews will be held as close to this date as possible.
- Please note that due to the nature of the work this post has a genuine occupational requirement to be open to _**females only**_ _and is exempt under the Equality Act 2010 pursuant to Schedule 9, Part 1. As part of our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, we actively encourage applicants from Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority backgrounds. _
- Safe in Sussex has achieved the Women's Aid Federation of England's National Quality Standard._
- Worthing Women’s Aid t/a Safe in Sussex is a registered charity, number 1098726_

**Job Types**: Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: £13.72 per hour

Expected hours: 25 - 30 per week

**Benefits**:

- Company pension
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Sick pay

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 05/03/2025
Reference ID: DAP0225
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