Job title Step Down Domestic Abuse Support Specialist
Hours 35 hours per week and 21 hours per week
Accountable to Area Service Manager
Salary £22,500 - £23,500per annum
Contract length Fixed Term Contract September 2025 – March 2026
Location Neath
Working pattern Monday to Friday.
Our vision:
At Calan DVS, our vision is to work towards safe and resilient communities free from domestic violence and abuse. To achieve this, we aim to relieve the distress, suffering and poverty experienced by families exposed to domestic violence and abuse. We also aim to educate the public regarding the causes and effects of domestic abuse along with prevention methods
Purpose of the role:
· To deliver a comprehensive, empowering "step down" support service for survivors of domestic abuse whose risk has reduced to medium or low, following their transition from a high -risk IDVA Service.
· To act as a single point of contact for medium or low risk victims of domestic abuse, offering consistent, accessible trauma informed support, tailored to individual needs.
· To work collaboratively with the IDVA Services across Western Bay to ensure a smooth transition and effective case handover for survivors moving from high risk to medium or low risk support.
· To assess, review and monitor risks to adult survivors and their children using recognised risk assessment tools, and implement appropriate safety planning processes and procedures.
· To ensure timely interventions are in place to prevent bottlenecks in support, avoiding the risk of survivors becoming dependent on services rather than progressing towards independence.
Key Accountabilities:
– Create a positive environment where survivors can develop skills and build confidence.
– Develop safety and support plans in partnership with individuals.
– Develop an integrated service between Western Bay IDVA Services and Calan's core services.
– Develop a comprehensive recovery package for survivors of domestic abuse.
– To signpost service users in accessing services such as social services, welfare benefits, legal services, counselling and other resources such as training and educational opportunities as required.
– To keep detailed case notes of all work undertaken with users in accordance with Data Protection and other legislation, Calan DVS policies and procedures and best practice.
– Monitor risk assessments to avoid reescalation.
– Develop, monitor and review needs assessment plan.
– Promote the right of individuals to make their own choices, ensure their involvement in decision-making and awareness of their rights and responsibilities.
– Help survivors to identify and recognise the effects of domestic abuse on children and young persons and enable them to work towards recovery from this.
– Promote positive parenting and positive family relationships, providing practical resources, support planning and information sharing, to encourage a secure, nurturing and mutually respectful relationship.
– Monitor the length of support to maximise referral response.
– Prepare and assist survivors to become confident enough to move on from the service.
– Encourage participation in Calan's additional services to aid long term and everlasting recovery.
– Attend joint team meetings with IDVA Teams
– Integrate with all Calan's services
– Participate in the On Call Service.
Healthy and Safety
· To work at all times in a safe and efficient manner and be aware of the Lone Working Policy / Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.
· Participate in the Risk Assessment processes.
· Ensuring the safety of the parents, children and young persons through ongoing risk assessments and monitoring.
Organisational
· Participate in relevant training and opportunities to increase and develop knowledge.
· Follow Calan DVS Equal Opportunity Policy and Diversity Strategy and observe the standard of conduct which prevents discrimination taking place.
· Attend and participate in team meetings.
· Prepare for and participate in supervision, appraisals and team reviews.
· Conduct administrative duties relating to the DA Support Services e.g. maintain support plan records and reviews, record statistics and provide reports as required.
· Promote public awareness of the work undertaken by Calan DA Support Services.
· Ensure that all work is conducted to the highest professional standards and complies with the DA Support Services and Calan DVS Policies and Procedures.
Other Duties and Responsibilities
· Assist with organising and take part in promotional, educational and funding activities as required.
· Keep up to date with relevant legislation, local strategies, policies and procedures.
· Ensure that all activities are within Calan DVS budgets.
· Work flexibly to provide the service which may include weekend and evening work.
· Work flexibly to cover for other posts as required/appropriate.
· Work within Calan DVS Codes of Practice.
· Maintain confidentiality in relation to service users, staff and projects.
· Participate in the 24-hour emergency on-call system.
· To undertake any other duty reasonably requested by their Manager/Management.
This job description is indicative of the range of current duties and responsibilities of the post, it is not comprehensive. It is inevitable that the duties will change as the role develops, and it is essential, therefore, that it should be regarded with a degree of flexibility, so that changing needs and circumstances can be met, all changes will be discussed fully.
Personal Specification
Essential:
You will be able to demonstrate the following key knowledge, skills, behaviours and experience:
· Minimum NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in a relevant field or willingness to work towards one, i.e. social care or health.
· Experience of working collaboratively with organisations in the community to raise awareness, network and build partnerships.
· Commitment to ongoing professional development.
· Minimum of 2 years working with vulnerable adults/families and/or children and young people.
· Proven experience of liaising with statutory and voluntary agencies.
· Proven ability to assess needs and an in depth understanding of the role of key worker.
· Experience of needs assessment, risk assessment, risk management and support planning.
· Knowledge and understanding of the issues associated with domestic abuse and its effects families.
· Ability to engage families in solution- focused problem solving.
· Proven experience of liaising with other appropriate organisations and agencies.
· Knowledge of the benefits system and how these can be accessed.
· Knowledge of housing legislation and its application.
· Competency in Information Technology including internet and software packages.
· Commitment to the principles, aims and objectives of Calan DVS.
· Proven commitment to personal and professional development.
· Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends and to take part in a 24 hour emergency on call rota.
· Possession of a valid full driver's licence and ability to use own car for work purposes.
· Good verbal and written communication skills, including report writing.
· Ability to work on own in an unsupervised setting or as part of a team.
· Enthusiastic, positive and energetic approach
· Awareness of equal opportunities and ability to work in a non-discriminatory way.
Desirable
· Ability to speak Welsh.
· Welsh Women's Aid, Certificate/Award Level in Preventing and Tackling Domestic and Sexual Abuse/Violence.
· NVQ Level 4 or equivalent in a relevant field, i.e. social care or health.
· Qualification or training in domestic abuse.
· Experience of working in a domestic abuse related discipline.
· Experience of advocating for vulnerable people.
· Ability to speak Welsh.
· Experience of working in supported housing projects.
· Knowledge of Adult and Child Safeguarding criteria and referral process.
· Knowledge of human rights and children's rights.
· Knowledge of relevant legislation concerning adults, children and young people.
· Knowledge of policy and legislation on child protection.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 7 months
Pay: £22,500.00-£23,500.00 per year
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 27/08/2025