HM Prison and Probation Service
Domestic Abuse Safety Officer - Bedfordshire - Interventions - Part Time - East of England (Ref: 21964)
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This position is based at NPS 41 Harpur Street, Bedford, MK40 1LY.
Job Summary
Please refer to Job Description
Job Description
Overview of the job
Working within regional Interventions Teams, the postholder will support clients who meet the DASO Service eligibility criteria. Clients are victims and/or current partners of domestic abuse perpetrators required to attend offending behaviour interventions. The role holder will use their knowledge of domestic abuse, wider criminal justice system and organisations to provide bespoke support to clients, advocating client safety and managing their risk of harm.
Summary
The postholder will take a trauma-informed approach and work in accordance with the DASO manual, relevant HMPPS policies and legislation to contribute to risk assessment and client safety planning, as well as acting as a point of contact for the Probation Service for both victims of domestic abuse and people who may be at risk of domestic abuse.
Using knowledge and expertise of domestic abuse, a DASO will prioritise based on risk of harm and promote the safety of clients and their children by identifying potential risks and appropriate strategies to protect them from harm, which could be physical, psychological, emotional or financial.
DASOs will advocate for protection of the victims of domestic abuse with whom they come into contact by presenting the victim perspective to staff within the Probation Service and in other agencies, providing domestic abuse expertise and professional advice on domestic abuse issues.
Role holders will work collaboratively to support the Probation Service in being responsive to recognising risks by escalating imminent risk concerns related to their clients, contributing to the risk management of the Person on Probation on behalf of their clients.
The post holder will work within the aims and values of the Probation Service and HMPPS. This includes demonstrating a commitment to equality and inclusion in line with relevant policies and procedures.
Flexible working hours may be required i.e. evening and weekends, where necessary, to be flexible as to when partners/victims can meet/be contacted.
Responsibilities, Activities & Duties
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- Develop strong professional relationships with clients to support and empower clients to navigate formal and legal processes.
- Initiate timely contact with clients and explain the DASO Service, share the Privacy Notice and seek consent for engagement with the Service as demonstrated by obtaining a signed Agreement to Participate form.
- Provide clients with information about the programme that the person on probation is attending, ensuring compliance with relevant disclosure guidance.
- Request feedback from clients at regular intervals throughout the intervention. Manage client’s expectations where needed.
- Carry out safeguarding children and safeguarding adult duties in accordance with the HMPPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies.
- Assess the safety of home visiting using available information on the person on probation (such as Probation assessments and information from Social Services, the Police, Victim Support etc).
- Identify and assess the safety risks and needs of the client in order to promote the safety of clients, children, and other dependants by working with them to construct and regularly review a realistic Safety Plan.
- Regularly refer, liaise and signpost to local support organisations and multi-agency forums, using a completed DASH risk assessment and/or safety plan as appropriate i.e., MARAC, Social Services, Child Protection Conferences, MAPPA, IOM schemes.
- Timely recording of contacts related to the client, using the relevant digital database. Maintain accurate case records within agreed timescales, along with completion of client reports and emails to Probation Practitioners summarising key client issues, as required.
- Develop working knowledge of and good relationships with local networks i.e. specialist police domestic abuse units, Criminal and Family Courts and support organisations, (for example housing, local refuges, victim services, counselling) to enable effective support, signposting and referrals for clients.
- Ensure that any information relating to risks to a client’s safety is shared promptly (and in a victim sensitive manner) with the Probation Practitioner, programmes team and other agencies where relevant, and contribute to the risk management process for People on Probation whilst adhering to all policies in respect of the sensitive and confidential information.
- Support the Programme Manager in delivering presentations and providing information about the DASO service, which includes supporting with the mentoring of new post holders and providing awareness sessions to other Probation Practitioners and professionals from other agencies.
- An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh
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The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.
Behaviours
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Developing Self and Others
- Managing a Quality Service
Experience
- Strong knowledge of domestic abuse and related issues.
- Awareness of how domestic abuse impacts on partners and children.
- Experience of working with people from diverse backgrounds who have experienced a range of social/personal difficulties, communicating effectively and sensitively, and working within a trauma informed way.
- The ability to relate positively and empathetically to victims and/or those dealing with distressing personal circumstances.
- Enabling individuals to identify factors which affect their safety, well-being and social inclusion.
- Enabling individuals to identify options for improving their safety, well-being and social inclusion.
Technical Requirements
- Completion of Formal Probation Service DASO training upon entry.
Ability
- Good self-management skills and above average ability to take initiative and problem solve.
- Enabling individuals to identify factors which affect their safety, well-being and social inclusion.
- Enabling individuals to identify options to improve their safety, well-being and social inclusion.
- Demonstrate a willingness to ask for assistance or refer a matter when appropriate.
- Demonstrate an ability to manage vicarious trauma in a pro-social manner.
- Demonstrate an ability to work at pace in emergency or high-risk situations.
Person specification
Please Refer To Job Description
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Developing Self and Others
- Access to learning and development
- A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
- A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
- Annual Leave
- Public Holidays
- Season Ticket Advance
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For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a standard (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more
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