Job Description
11 months contract with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
• Swindon Borough Council is seeking an experienced Senior Domestic Abuse Officer to join its Family Safeguarding Service on a temporary basis while permanent recruitment is underway.
• The role sits within a multi-disciplinary Family Safeguarding team, working with children and families affected by domestic abuse, neglect, mental health and substance misuse.
• The postholder will lead and manage domestic abuse operational staff, oversee high-risk cases, and work closely with Children’s Social Care and partner agencies to safeguard children and families.
• The role requires strong leadership, risk management expertise, and regular home visits to families as part of a whole-family safeguarding approach.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
• Lead, manage and develop a team of Domestic Abuse Officers/Practitioners within Family Safeguarding.
• Manage and oversee high-risk domestic abuse and safeguarding cases, ensuring appropriate risk assessment and escalation.
• Undertake and support home visits to families where required, including high-risk situations.
• Work closely with Social Workers, Team Managers and partner agencies to deliver integrated safeguarding interventions.
• Identify, manage and escalate risk through MARAC, MAPPA and Children’s Safeguarding processes.
• Ensure services meet performance targets, statutory requirements and local safeguarding priorities.
• Contribute to service planning, performance improvement and the development of policies and procedures.
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Supervise, support, appraise and manage the performance of staff, including induction and development.
• Chair and contribute to multi-agency meetings and case discussions.
• Ensure accurate, confidential and timely recording of information in line with GDPR and organisational policies.
• Promote equality, diversity and anti-discriminatory practice across all service delivery.
Skills/Experience:
• Proven experience working with domestic abuse, safeguarding and child protection.
• Strong experience assessing and managing high-risk cases involving domestic violence and vulnerable families.
• Experience of working within or alongside Children’s Services / Family Safeguarding teams.
• Demonstrable leadership and people management experience.
• Ability to undertake and manage home visits, including in complex and high-risk situations.
• Sound knowledge of safeguarding legislation, risk management frameworks and best practice.
• Experience working within multi-agency environments and partnership settings.
• Confident in chairing meetings and representing services professionally.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritise workload and meet deadlines.
• Strong understanding of equality, diversity and ethical practice.
• Competent IT skills and ability to maintain secure, accurate records.
Additional Information:
• Contract: Temporary – approx. 48 weeks.
• Hours: 37 hours per week.
• Location: Civic Campus, Euclid Street, Swindon.
• Enhanced DBS required.
• Home visits are a mandatory requirement of this role.
Requirements
• Proven experience working with domestic abuse, safeguarding and child protection. • Strong experience assessing and managing high-risk cases involving domestic violence and vulnerable families. • Experience of working within or alongside Children’s Services / Family Safeguarding teams. • Demonstrable leadership and people management experience. • Ability to undertake and manage home visits, including in complex and high-risk situations. • Sound knowledge of safeguarding legislation, risk management frameworks and best practice. • Experience working within multi-agency environments and partnership settings. • Confident in chairing meetings and representing services professionally. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. • Ability to work under pressure, prioritise workload and meet deadlines. • Strong understanding of equality, diversity and ethical practice. • Competent IT skills and ability to maintain secure, accurate records.