Domestic Abuse Officer

The Housing Safeguarding Team sits within Corporate Services and plays a vital role in protecting vulnerable residents, preventing harm, and ensuring that safeguarding responsibilities are embedded across all housing functions. The team works closely with Housing Options, Community Safety, Social Care, and a wide range of statutory and voluntary partners to identify risk early, coordinate effective interventions, and ensure that residents receive safe, appropriate support. As part of this team, you will contribute to a proactive safeguarding culture, ensuring that domestic abuse, exploitation, and other safeguarding concerns are recognised, responded to, and escalated appropriately. The team leads on multi-agency engagement, supports frontline staff with complex cases, and ensures the council meets its statutory duties under safeguarding and housing legislation. About the Role As a Domestic Abuse Housing Officer, you will act as the council's specialist consultant on domestic abuse within a housing context. You will support Housing Options Officers with complex cases, lead on risk assessment and safety planning, and ensure that survivors receive the right support at the right time. You will be a key representative for Housing within the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and a core participant in the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) process. You will also manage the council's Housing Sanctuary Scheme, ensuring high-quality delivery and effective protection for survivors. This role offers the opportunity to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of individuals and families affected by domestic abuse. Your work will directly contribute to improving safety, preventing homelessness, and strengthening the council's safeguarding response.

We're looking for someone who has:

• Strong professional practice and the ability to work independently under pressure.
• Experience engaging with survivors of domestic abuse.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work effectively across multi-agency partnerships.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to manage complex casework.
• High levels of resilience and calmness in challenging situations.
• Ability to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines., At least two years' experience working in a field that supports survivors of domestic abuse (e.g., housing, safeguarding, social care, criminal justice, voluntary sector, IDVA/ISVA work).
- Strong knowledge of domestic abuse, including the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. Understanding of the dynamics of domestic and sexual abuse, risk assessment, safeguarding, and multi-agency working. Desirable Qualifications: - Social Work qualification (e.g., BA Social Work, DipSW) with three years' post-qualifying experience. - Experience working with police or community safety teams, especially around sanctuary schemes or safe accommodation. - Knowledge of housing-related legislation, including: Tenancy management, allocations, homelessness prevention., Disability Confident About Disability Confident A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to .

DBS Check: Enhanced DBS with Adults Barred list is required for this post. Benefits of Working with Us At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including: - 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