Domestic Abuse Officer
REPORTS TO: Senior Probation Officer/FS Team Manager
SALARY: Probation Officer £30,208-£37,174
LENGTH: 1 Year Contract
TEAM: Family Safeguarding, Children’s Services
Summary
The Domestic Abuse Officer plays a crucial role within the Family Safeguarding multi-disciplinary teams based in Swindon. These teams are dedicated to supporting children and families facing challenges such as domestic abuse, mental health issues, and substance misuse. The officer will work with children in need, those under child protection plans, and children in care, using a partnership approach to address the impact of abuse and neglect. The role involves employing Motivational Interviewing techniques to empower families to make positive changes, thereby improving outcomes for children and their overall wellbeing. The officer will collaborate with various professionals to ensure a holistic approach to child protection, aiming to keep children safely within their families.
Responsibilities
* Provide high-quality assessments and interventions for high-risk families, focusing on personal safety.
* Work full-time within the Family Safeguarding team, using motivational interviewing to engage families.
* Address the needs of parents whose children are at risk of significant harm.
* Participate in clinical supervision, team meetings, and case conferences.
* Share information in accordance with relevant agreements and conduct home visits.
* Deliver individual or group treatment programs as required.
* Record information on the Children’s Services database and maintain up-to-date records.
* Collaborate with professionals to develop and deliver services to domestic abuse perpetrators and victims.
* Assess and manage risk, developing safety plans and working with multi-agency teams.
* Engage with perpetrators to encourage responsibility and behaviour change.
* Work with police, probation services, and other agencies to manage risk and ensure safety.
* Conduct home visits and establish cognitive behavioural therapy groups for perpetrators.
* Provide support and advocacy for victims, ensuring access to legal protection and benefits.
* Contribute to team development and risk management plans.
Requirements
* Relevant qualification as a probation officer.
* Demonstrable experience working with domestic violence perpetrators and victims.
* Ability to represent the organization in formal settings and advocate effectively.
* Experience conducting risk assessments and managing challenging situations.
* Knowledge of domestic violence dynamics, CBT approaches, and motivational interviewing.
* Understanding of relevant legislation related to domestic violence.
* Strong written and verbal communication skills.
* Ability to manage self-development and demonstrate continuous professional growth.
* Proficiency in IT for data management and confidentiality.
* Resilience and ability to work under pressure to meet targets.
* Commitment to equality, diversity, and safeguarding practices.
* Ability to maintain professional boundaries and contribute to a safer working culture.