Domestic Abuse Specialist (Refuge Accommodation)

NB: ONLY WOMEN MAY APPLY FOR THIS POST

Job Title: Domestic Abuse Specialist – Refuge Accommodation
Responsible to: Accommodation Services Manager
Location: To be based in Ballymena Accommodation

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 role will deliver needs and risk-led responses and interventions, always ensuring
women and children are central to the process.

Key Responsibilities of Refuge Accommodation role:
• Support each resident living in Women’s Aid ABCLN refuge accommodation as an individual; recognise and respond to women and children’s specific needs; and
ensure their experience is safe, supported and nurturing.
• Organise and deliver weekly house meetings, recording actions and decisions.
• Organise and deliver a residents’ programme of activities to encourage and support women and children living in refuge accommodation.
• Responsible for practical day-to-day housing management issues including health & safety checks and fire drills as determined under agreed procedures.
• Ensure prompt service of maintenance and repairs in refuge accommodation, and maintain accurate records
• Participate in management briefings, supervision and team meetings.
• To participate in the on-call rota, to ensure out of hours emergency/ crisis are responded to appropriately.

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 and children 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 and children/young people 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: NICVA/NJC Scale 5: £26,421 - £28,770

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 12 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 Recruitment Pack including full job description and personal spec please follow link to Women's Aid ABCLN website:

https://www.womens-aid.org.uk/job-vacancies