Domestic Abuse Safety Officer

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