Domestic Abuse Specialist (Refuge Accommodation - Evening)

NB: ONLY WOMEN MAY APPLY FOR THIS JOB

Job Title: Domestic Abuse Specialist – Refuge Accommodation- Evening
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 (Evening) 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.
• Ensure appropriate handover information is prepared for/received from the Refuge Accommodation Day Team. This is to include key safeguarding data for women
and children.
• Organise and deliver a residents’ programme of activities to encourage and support women and children living in refuge accommodation.
• Respond to and record calls from women in crisis, and liaise with referral and out of- hours agencies.
• Responsible for practical day-to-day housing management issues including health & safety checks and fire drills as determined under agreed procedures.
• Promote and maintain a high standard of housekeeping. Prepare accommodation for incoming families, ensuring rooms are clean and of a high standard.
• Participate in management briefings, supervision and team meetings.

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: 27 hrs per week – 6pm-2am on rota
Time-in-lieu can be taken for any additional hours worked.

Salary Scale: NICVA/NJC Scale 5: £26,421 - £28,770 pro-rata

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 (pro-rata)
• 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