Domestic Abuse Practitioner

Number of Vacancies:
1

Time Type:
Part time

Worker Type:
Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Proposed Interview Date:
Friday, September 4, 2026

Hours of Work:
24

Hiring Manager:
Victoria Macklin

Contact Number:
01482 615416

Job Description Summary

This is a part time, fixed term position for up to 12 months to cover maternity.

Hull City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all employees to share this commitment.

Hull City Council is a White Ribbon Accredited Organization.

This post is open to women only under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010 (Occupational Requirement).

Role and Purpose

To work as directed by policies and procedures to provide trauma informed specialist high quality advice, support and advocacy services to victims of domestic abuse. To ensure domestic abuse specialist risk identification and assessment tools are used to inform practice and decision making and ensure policies and procedures are followed at all times in order to safeguard victims, children, and family members.

To work effectively as part of a multi-agency partnership team and support partners through the provision of specialist advice. To provide specialist advice, guidance and support to other professionals in relation to this complex and risk led area of work. Provide support, advice and services to partners, ex-partners of men accessing the Strength to Change service.

Principal Accountabilities:

1. To promote and safeguard the welfare of children, young people and/or vulnerable adults.
2. To use specialist domestic abuse risk identification and assessment tools and lead and advise on risk management strategies to safeguard victims, their children and others identified at risk of harm. Undertake the Independent Domestic Violence Advocate role (IDVA) and Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA) role for those victims assessed as high risk –at risk of homicide or serious harm that are referred to Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC). Offer intensive support and advice to victims and liaise with relevant agencies. Take the lead in co-ordinating services to ensure victims with complex and multiple needs are met. This includes being based in other agencies to be easily accessible for victims seeking support and to also work alongside other agencies to gain and promote engagement. To also be a point of contact for other agency staff seeking information, advice and support to ensure the needs of all victims are met.
3. To lead and manage complex cases that require high levels of expert knowledge and co-ordination to ensure access to services for adult victims as defined in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, aged 16 years and above, including victims with the following considerations: complexity of need, honour based violence and abuse, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, sexual violence and abuse, mental health and substance misuse needs or other protected characteristics and understand how these intersect. To be responsible for keeping up to date with legislative changes that can present barriers to effective multi-agency working and access to services. To provide specialist advice, support and guidance (co working cases if required) to professionals on all aspects of case management for victims and their children impacted by domestic abuse. This can be completed through multiple communication methods - in person, email, reports, and or chairing meetings to ensure effective co-ordination of support and services. Advise on, and if required, take the lead on matters in relation to safeguarding adults and children.
4. Provide support, advice and services to partners, ex-partners of men accessing the Strength to Change service. To work alongside and share information with the men’s practitioners to ensure victims and their children receive the support they need. To ensure that any children’s needs are identified and that appropriate action is taken to safeguard and sign post to appropriate support agencies to ensure their individual needs are met.
5. Provide ongoing case management and crisis management to victims referred ensuring their support plan is monitored and reviewed in line with policies and procedures. Responsible for keeping and maintaining high quality, detailed and accurate case records within the relevant corporate systems that assist case management and the completion of statistical and workload returns as required by Council, Government and partner agencies.
6. Facilitate access to safe accommodation i.e., refuge accommodation, dispersed properties, hostel, B&B or other alternative when a victim and their children have to flee. Facilitate, manage and co-ordinate a safe return of a victim and their children to their home / new home ensuring personal safety plans and sanctuary scheme options are in place. Co-ordinate and manage referrals for sanctuary scheme option for those that wish to remain in their own home, providing longer term support as required.
7. To co-ordinate, facilitate and lead the suit of group work programmes offered and ensure they are effectively evaluated and improved upon. To deliver a 1-1 domestic abuse awareness raising programme to victims and ensure they are effectively evaluated and improved upon.
8. Attend and represent domestic abuse services (DAP and Strength to Change) at Multi Agency Public Protection (MAPPA) meetings, Sexual Exploitation Team (SET) meetings, CYPS Case Conferences/ Strategy meetings, PITSTOP meetings, early help meetings and other multi-agency meetings and forums to research, triage and share information and make decisions on behalf of the service and advocate on behalf of victims. Ensure effective operational joint working and problem solving to ensure swift and effective safeguarding interventions are provided.
9. To raise awareness of domestic abuse amongst professionals and the wider community through training, presentations and awareness raising campaigns and events.
10. Comply with GDPR legislation, confidentiality and information sharing policy and procedures and all legislation connected to the role.