Domestic Abuse Housing Advocate

Location: Rushmoor
Salary: £29,722 per annum pro rata
Hours: 15 hours per week
Job Type: Part-time
Reporting to: Deputy Service Manager (Co-Located Services)
On-Call: No

About the Role

Joneshouse Recruitment is currently recruiting for a Domestic Abuse Housing Advocate to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse accessing housing and homelessness services across Rushmoor.

This is a rewarding role providing crisis intervention, advocacy, safety planning and practical support to individuals and families affected by domestic abuse.

Working within dispersed accommodation and alongside housing and homelessness services, you will help victims and survivors maintain safe accommodation, develop independence and move forward with confidence.

Key Responsibilities

Support & Advocacy

• Provide high-quality crisis intervention, information, advocacy and proactive support to victims and survivors of domestic abuse and their children.
• Provide intensive support to individuals and families living within dispersed accommodation.
• Develop and maintain effective safety plans for individuals and families.
• Provide 1:1 support and facilitate family support plans tailored to individual needs.
• Support victims and survivors to maintain their current accommodation and develop the skills required to sustain future accommodation.
• Provide resettlement support to individuals and families moving on from safe accommodation.
• Advocate for victims, survivors and children when working with relevant agencies and professionals.
• Support individuals and families to develop confidence, stability and independence.

Partnership Working

• Develop strong working relationships with housing and homelessness services and other partner organisations.
• Work collaboratively with social services, education, police, local authorities and voluntary organisations.
• Provide formal and informal information and training to colleagues to improve understanding of domestic abuse and appropriate support responses.
• Make and receive referrals and ensure effective communication between agencies.
• Work with volunteers and contribute to the wider service.

Safeguarding & Compliance

• Recognise and respond appropriately to adult and child safeguarding concerns.
• Make referrals to statutory agencies where required.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records, statistics and referral information.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with relevant data protection requirements.
• Work in accordance with policies, procedures, legislation and professional standards.
• Follow appropriate lone-working procedures.
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation of the service.

Team & Professional Development

• Attend team meetings, supervision, appraisal sessions, training and other relevant events.
• Take responsibility for your own continuing professional development.
• Support colleagues and provide cover when required.
• Contribute to awareness-raising and fundraising activities where appropriate.
• Respond to emergencies outside normal office hours where required as part of an agreed rota.
• Undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the role and needs of the service.

Person Specification

Essential Requirements

• Experience working with vulnerable individuals or families.
• Knowledge and experience of adult and child safeguarding principles.
• Understanding of relevant safeguarding legislation, guidance and referral procedures.
• Experience working within a multi-agency and legislative framework.
• Ability to prioritise and manage competing workloads.
• Understanding of data protection and confidentiality.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Understanding of lone-working practices.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Experience using electronic case management systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, negotiation and advocacy skills.
• Strong crisis management skills and the ability to remain calm when dealing with stressful or challenging situations.
• Good understanding of housing and homelessness legislation and its application within the domestic abuse sector.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a car for work purposes.
• Enhanced DBS clearance will be required.

Qualifications

• Relevant Level 2 qualification relating to safeguarding, or willingness to achieve the required qualification within the required timeframe.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a compassionate, resilient and organised professional who can provide calm and effective support to people experiencing domestic abuse.

You will need to be confident working independently, managing challenging situations and building positive relationships with a range of professionals and agencies.

Most importantly, you will have a genuine commitment to helping victims and survivors achieve safety, stability and independence.

Apply Today

If you have experience supporting vulnerable people and are passionate about making a meaningful difference to individuals and families affected by domestic abuse, Joneshouse Recruitment would love to hear from you.

Ref: SD16