Domestic Abuse Officer - Safe Accommodation

Job Description

Domestic Abuse Officer

Salary: £40,317 - £45,933 per annum

Grade: E

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Hours: Full-time 37 hours per week

About the Service

The Domestic Abuse and Safeguarding Service within Corporate Services plays an important role in protecting vulnerable residents and strengthening the Council's response to domestic and sexual abuse.

Working alongside Housing, Community Safety, Social Care, Police and statutory and voluntary sector partners, the service helps identify and manage risk, coordinate interventions, and ensure victims and survivors receive timely, appropriate and trauma-informed support.

About the Role

As a Domestic Abuse Officer , you will provide specialist domestic abuse advice, casework and advocacy, supporting victims and survivors to achieve greater safety and access the services and interventions they need.

You will assess risk, develop robust safety plans and coordinate responses to complex domestic abuse cases, working closely with internal services and external partners. You will represent Housing within MARAC and MASH , contribute to multi-agency safeguarding decision-making and ensure information is shared appropriately to manage risk and protect victims and their families.

A key part of the role will be providing expert consultation to colleagues dealing with complex domestic abuse cases and promoting consistent, legally compliant and trauma-informed practice across Council services. You will also support survivors through housing and criminal justice processes where required.

You will help strengthen interventions and perpetrator accountability , working with partners to support appropriate enforcement action and access to behaviour-change programmes.

You will also support delivery of the Council's Sanctuary Scheme , including assessing the safety needs of survivors who wish to remain safely in their own homes and coordinating appropriate security measures.

Key responsibilities include:

• Deliver specialist domestic abuse casework, advocacy, risk assessment and safety planning.
• Provide expert advice and consultation on complex domestic abuse cases.
• Work directly with victims and survivors to identify risks, needs and appropriate interventions.
• Represent Housing and Corporate Services at MARAC, MASH and other multi-agency safeguarding forums .
• Coordinate effective responses with Police, Social Care, Health, Housing and voluntary and community sector partners.
• Promote trauma-informed and victim/survivor-centred practice.
• Support appropriate enforcement and intervention against perpetrators and promote access to behaviour-change programmes.
• Support delivery of the Sanctuary Scheme , including property safety assessments and coordination of security measures.
• Provide guidance and training to strengthen staff knowledge and confidence in responding to domestic abuse.
• Maintain high-quality case records and contribute to reports, service improvement, policy development and good practice.

About You

We are looking for someone with experience of working directly with people affected by domestic abuse and a strong understanding of the dynamics and impact of domestic and sexual abuse.

You will have experience of managing risk, developing safety plans and responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns. You will be able to manage complex and sensitive casework, exercise sound professional judgement and work effectively with a wide range of agencies.

You will be a confident communicator who can provide professional advice to colleagues while keeping the safety, needs and voice of victims and survivors at the centre of your practice .

Essential experience, knowledge and skills

You will have:

• A minimum of two years' experience working directly with individuals affected by domestic abuse , including casework, advocacy and/or safety planning.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of domestic abuse and the needs of victims and survivors.
• Experience of domestic abuse risk assessment, safeguarding and safety planning.
• The ability to manage complex casework and make sound professional judgements under pressure.
• Experience of effective multi-agency working.
• The ability to engage sensitively and effectively with people who have experienced domestic abuse.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and practical support options, including housing and injunction remedies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to maintain accurate case records.

Desirable experience

• Experience of working within safeguarding, community safety, housing, enforcement or a related local authority service.
• Experience of working with victims and survivors with complex or additional needs.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practice.
• Experience or knowledge of perpetrator interventions and behaviour-change programmes.
• Experience of Sanctuary Schemes or other safety-related interventions.
• Experience of contributing to training, policy development or service improvement.

DBS Check:

An Enhanced DBS check is required for this post.

Benefits of Working with Us

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• Staff discounts and local offers
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

Important Dates

Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 8th October 2026

Closing Date (Internal & External): 18th October 2026

Interview Date: To Be Confirmed

About Us

Why Thurrock?

Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.

Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.

This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.

Our location

Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.

We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.

Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.

Staff benefits

We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.

Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.

We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.

For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council

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