Housing Options Domestic Abuse Officer

This opportunity is currently being offered on a fixed term contract basis of 12 months; however, if budgets allow the contract length may be extended and/or become permanent, though this is not guaranteed.  If an internal council employee wishes to apply for this role, a secondment opportunity may be considered (please state this on your application).

We are currently recruiting for a Housing Options Domestic Abuse Officer position, working as part of the Housing Solutions & Reviews Team to provide a holistic housing options service to survivors of domestic abuse, ensuring that for those seeking housing assistance, they are provided with a service which is focused upon meeting their needs and works towards minimising the impact of any disruption which they might experience. The Domestic Abuse Worker will:

Act as domestic abuse (DA) champion and lead for Housing Services, including promoting learning and improvement across the service, disseminating good practice, feeding back information, legislation and case law developments, to section managers and staff.

Promote safeguarding across the Service and ensuring that appropriate referrals and interventions are undertaken for vulnerable survivors of domestic abuse being assisted by the service.

Ensure focused case management for DA approaches to the Housing Options Team, including carrying own DA caseload and liaising and supporting Housing Options Officers in their own DA casework management.

Liaise with other services and organisations, including Oasis (IDVA service), to promote and support early intervention and prevention partnership working for survivors of DA rather than crisis management.

Be required to take part in various meetings, internal and external to the Council, including representing Housing Services at MARAC and via any joint working arrangements with Early Help, Children’s’ and Adult Services.

Act as housing liaison with refuges, sanctuary schemes, and Social landlords;

Represent Housing Service at the One stop shop to provide advice and support to survivors of DA.

There will also be a requirement to undertake other duties as may arise from time to time and as may be assigned to the post holder.

The successful post holder will be subject to a Standard DBS check.  

If you would like to have an informal discussion with the recruiting manager please e-mail Tracy Partridge on tracy.partridge@medway.gov.uk

In return we offer you: 

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Generous local government pension scheme package
• Access to wider training and development qualifications
• Flexible working scheme
• Travel plan discounts
• Car Benefit Scheme from Tusker 
• Access to CAREFIRST advice & counselling service
• Employee discount scheme for national and local retailers
• The Government has introduced new ways of supporting parents with childcare costs. Further details are available here: - https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

We're committed to making Medway carbon neutral by 2050. We have developed an action plan to ensure we play our part in addressing the climate emergency.  Our declaration fits into our Council Plan priority of making Medway a place to be proud of. The main outcome being a 'clean and green environment'. All Medway Council staff can access an additional day’s paid leave to undertake a volunteering activity which supports climate change.  

Our organisation: 

Medway is a unitary authority in the South East of England, made up of the towns of Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham and more rural areas, including the Hoo Peninsula.

Situated in Kent in the South-East of England, the area has plenty of green spaces, excellent facilities and easy access to the national motorway and rail networks, facilitating superb transport links to London.

We provide all local Government services for a quarter of a million people, looking after education, environment, social care, housing, planning, business and much more - everything from frontline services such as rubbish collection and events like the Dickens Festival to work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure services in Medway run smoothly and cost effectively.

Working at Medway Council means that you get to be part of this journey working alongside talented, professional colleagues to drive forward change to transform the lives of our residents and the communities they live in. 

Important Information- 

Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile

Equal Opportunities Commitment Statement

Medway Council is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All appropriately qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, marital status, family commitments, sexual orientation, age, HIV status, religious or political beliefs, social class or trade union activity or irrelevant spent conviction. 

For further information please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online. 

Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted.   All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email. 

Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support. 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.