Domestic Abuse Pathway Officer (Homelessness)

Domestic Abuse Pathway Officer

£39,951 - £42,840 pa

12 Month Fixed Term contract

Working within Newham Homelessness Prevention & Advice Service (HPAS), the post-holder will work with cases and policy areas relating, but not limited, to women experiencing additional vulnerability or multiple disadvantage: this include experiencing domestic violence, involvement in offending and/or the criminal justice system, exploitation, prostitution or trafficking.

The post holder will not hold homeless applications themselves but will provide specialist advice to survivors and housing officers on issues affecting victims & survivors of domestic abuse. The post-holder will be the lead representative at MARAC from Housing Needs, ensuring relevant advice is given and actions followed up. 

The post holder will ensure HPAS meets the needs of victims & survivors whilst managing expectations and navigating the legislative framework. 

Although a very challenging role, this is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) or Domestic Abuse Support Worker (DASW) with some experience of housing and homelessness to lead on the improvement and coordination of systems, policies and practice related to the prevention, relief and response to homelessness for vulnerable women. The post holder will also act as the Housing Needs lead for the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA). 

Nearly nine in ten approaches made to HPAS due to domestic abuse are by women. Therefore this role is restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

The role can be challenging but also rewarding. The right candidate has the opportunity to positively impact the lives of hundreds of residents across Newham.

Interesting, difficult, fulfilling and never boring.

About Newham HPAS

Homelessness in London is a big problem with more than 6500 households expected to approach London Borough of Newham this year.

Newham HPAS is developing a specialist Pathways Team with expert leads in mental health, ex-offenders, Young People and domestic abuse. Sitting within this specialist team and with support of the Senior Manager Pathways – you will provide support and guidance to officers across the team as well as residents. 

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who have an established background in supporting survivors of domestic abuse, preferably in the local context and has some background either in housing and homelessness. You should be knowledgeable about the causes of homelessness as well as the difficulties for Local Authorities in addressing the problem.

You will be not assess homeless applications, but as the lead in this area for HPAS, you must be able to share accurate advice with residents and stakeholders which will require the knowledge to so. Training can be given in this area but a base knowledge and experience is required. 

What Newham can offer

We will provide you with relevant training to develop your knowledge of housing and homelessness.

We offer flexible working, with the possibility of working from home up to 4 days a week.

Your skills

You should have experience of:

• At least 2 years’ experience as an IDVA/DASW or similar
• Tangible experience of housing and homelessness, preferably within a Local Authority
• Dealing with a diverse and vulnerable clientele, either face-to-face, on the phone or through email.
• Working in a service within a pressurised and high profile environment within a multi-disciplinary team, providing a quality service.
• Demonstrable experience of working with stakeholders to improve a service and relationships.
• Provide quality advice and information to members of the public and of handling complaints and enquiries

To Apply (Please Read!)

You must submit a supporting statement through our recruitment portal. The supporting statement must demonstrate how you meet the relevant requirements listed in the person specification section of the job description. This should be no more than 2 sides of A4.

If you do not currently understand the homelessness legislation, you must demonstrate an ability to learn by researching it and sharing what you have learnt in your statement. Applications which do not contain a personal statement, do not reference the legislation or are longer than 2 sides are likely to be dismissed.

Shortlisting decisions will be based on candidates' relevant experience and on candidates' suitability for the role in line with the person specification, as described in your supporting statement.

https://www.newham.gov.uk/downloads/file/6990/domestic-abuse-pathway-officer-jd

Closing date: 8th March 2024

IMPORTANT: If you are an LBN member of staff and applying for this role as a secondment you should note that secondments are subject to the agreement of your current employing service. Please ensure that you inform your line manager of your intention to apply for the post in the first instance.

Additional Information

We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. If you share our vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us.

The London Borough of Newham has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.

We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn.