Domestic Abuse Worker

About Us

At West Sussex County Council (WSCC), we have a Fixed Term contract opportunity for a Children and Young Person Domestic Abuse Worker in our Early Help Service. We are committed to supporting children, families, and young people to achieve their full potential. You will join an experienced leadership team at a key time when we are making major transformations, including driving forward the 'Children First' Improvement Plan. We are focused on improved service delivery with measurable outcomes for children, families, and communities.

The Children and Young Person Domestic Abuse Workers and managers are part of the Children, Young People and Learning Directorate. This service identify, assess and assist victims of domestic and sexual violence in order to increase the safety of victims, families and their children and is an integral part of the Early Help Service.

The Opportunity

Salary: £35,235 to £37,938 per annum

Working Pattern: Full-time (37 hours per week)
Contract Length: Fixed Term Contract for 12 months
Location: Horsham

Internal candidates wishing to apply for this role will be considered for a secondment position, however, please can you discuss and agree this with your manager before applying for this position.

You will work directly with clients and their families who have experienced domestic violence/sexual assault, to ensure they receive an appropriate service. You will work within a multi-agency setting and keep the clients' safety central to all coordinated responses. You will support colleagues and partner agencies to provide the best possible service to victims.

This will include crisis management of victims at high risk, providing one to one work to promote safety and understanding of the impact of the abuse for victims and their families, and also advocating for the victim to ensure their voice is heard.

You will be a team player whilst also being able to work on your own initiative to manage crisis situations. You will have a passion for supporting victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence and will be able to communicate effectively with multi-agency partners, so that their voices are heard.

You will be part of the Domestic Abuse Hub Team, making initial contact to victims/ survivors assessing risk, safety planning and exploring next steps for support. The role is mainly phone based and there is need to respond at pace to ensure support is put in place quickly. Being both organised and adaptable, you will have the ability to respond to complex situations calmly and effectively.

Experience and Skills

Key Skills:

• Excellent crisis management skills with the ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in order to work effectively with clients, and the ability to provide advice to victims in stressful situations with clarity and empathy whilst maintaining professional boundaries.
• Excellent advisory, guiding, negotiating and persuasive skills in order to encourage others to adopt a course of action they may not wish to take.
• Ability to interpret individual needs and to develop appropriate safety and action plans.
• Experienced at judging and analysing, using these skills to solve difficult problems and develop solutions or plans over the medium term in order to work effectively with a wide variety of people.
• Computer literate with the ability to maintain databases and maintain appropriate and accurate records.

Qualifications and/or experience:

• Relevant qualification at degree level in a relevant subject, or demonstrable experience in a paid or unpaid capacity of providing support to people in stressful and difficult situations.
• IDVA qualification or willingness to work towards this.
• Demonstrable experience of working in a multi-agency environment with victims of domestic and/or sexual violence.
• Experience of working within legislative frameworks to support victims and using their application to develop, influence and promote safety for clients.
• Experience of working with vulnerable people and managing a complex caseload.
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and policies both adults and children.
• Valid and full driving licence.

As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work they do.

Rewards and Benefits

As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance, and are rewarded for the work they do.

In addition to working within a great team and a brilliant opportunity you will receive:

For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our Rewards and Benefits page.

Further Information

The reference number for this role is CAFHE05621.

For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role please contact Laura Chapman at .

For issues or queries regarding your application please contact .

To apply, upload your CV and cover letter explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV. Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check.