Domestic Abuse Specialist

This role will involve working closely with L&Q’s housing management teams and our established team of specialist advisors, including our Mental Health Practitioner’s, Safeguarding and Vulnerability Specialist and Domestic abuse Specialist. You will work in partnership with our front-line housing teams to ensure confidence and best practice working with residents who are currently, or who have experienced domestic abuse.

• To work collaboratively with your fellow DA specialists to be the lead professionals for domestic abuse in the Housing Management service
• Offer support and guidance in the resolution of expressions of dissatisfaction, complaints, MP/Cllr, and other stakeholder enquiries.
• Safeguarding Adults and Children Level 3 (or willingness to work towards).
• Supporting and mentoring teams to better understand domestic abuse, incorporate this awareness into working practices and consequently provide positive outcomes for residents. How they will help achieve departmental targets and goals.
• Developing & implementing initiatives to improve outcomes for residents

You will be an effective communicator with excellent written and verbal communication skills. You will be able to simplify, and problem solve in a co-productive way, supporting others to raise skills and confidence.

For this post the successful candidate will need to apply for or be in possession of an Basic Disclosure Barring Service certificate (DBS) to enable them to work within the team. For further information about the Disclosure Barring Service please visit www.homeoffice.gov.uk

You will have great case management skills when working with complex cases to make assessments, formulate solutions and manage risks and safety plan.

You will have excellent knowledge of domestic abuse and 3rd sector support services and proven experience of navigating these services and developing relationships with them to ensure residents are able to access a coordinated community response.

Persona: Agile Worker: 20% - 40% of contractual hours to be worked from reporting office/working location (hybrid working)

You will have demonstrable experience of where you have worked collaboratively with services to ensure positive outcomes for residents, including experience of MARAC and an understanding of DAHA. You will feel confident in training and mentoring other front line colleagues to share your knowledge and expertise.

You will have excellent practical knowledge of legislation, regulation, and best practice in the fields of domestic abuse and safeguarding. You will work collaboratively with your fellow specialist advisors to achieve strategic change to policy and practice to improve services for our residents.

Title: Domestic Abuse Specialist x2 (NB. 1 position will be required to report to our Stratford, London office, 1 position will be required to report Manchester, Trafford)

• Extensive and current knowledge of domestic abuse legislation, regulation, and best practice, including the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, safeguarding frameworks, and housing law relevant to survivors. Ability to put key government drivers and latest research into practice.
• Training in risk assessment tools such as DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Harassment) and extensive knowledge and experience of complex risk assessments and safety planning (min 2 years).
• Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field such as Social Work, Psychology, Criminology, Housing, Education or Community Development or Safe lives or Women’s Aid Level 3 Certificate in Domestic Abuse.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed approaches and their application in housing and tenancy support. Proven ability in challenging decision making and championing survivors.

*ECU Allowance is paid in accordance with requirements of the relevant policy as updated from time to time.

Benefits include: Excellent pension plan (up to 6% double contribution), 28 days Annual Leave rising to 31 days with length of service + Bank Holidays, Westfield Health Cash Plan, non-contributory life assurance, up to 21 hours volunteering paid days, lifestyle benefits, Employee Assistance Programme and many more…

We’re one of the UK’s leading housing associations and developers. We were founded on a simple belief: high quality housing is vital for people’s health, happiness and security. Everyone deserves a quality home that gives them the chance to live a better life.

250,000 people call our properties ‘home’, and we’re proud to serve diverse communities across London, the South East and North West of England.

Salary: £40,649 per annum to £44,825 per annum (London weighted salary) or £36,073 per annum to £40,014 per annum (Regional salary), dependant on experience. Plus ECU* (if policy requirement are met).