Location: Test Valley
Salary: £29,722 per annum pro rata
Hours: 15 hours per week
Job Type: Part-time
Reporting to: Deputy Service Manager (Co-Located Services)
On-Call: No

About the Role

Joneshouse Recruitment is currently recruiting for a Domestic Abuse Housing Advocate to provide specialist support to victims and survivors of domestic abuse accessing housing and homelessness services across Test Valley.

This is a rewarding opportunity to provide crisis intervention, advocacy, safety planning and practical support to individuals and families affected by domestic abuse.

The successful candidate will work within dispersed accommodation and alongside housing and homelessness services, helping victims and survivors to establish stability, develop independence and move forward safely.

Key Responsibilities

Support & Advocacy

• Provide high-quality crisis intervention, information, advocacy and proactive support to victims and survivors of domestic abuse and their children.
• Provide intensive support to individuals and families living within dispersed accommodation.
• Develop and implement effective safety plans for victims and their families.
• Provide 1:1 support and facilitate family support plans to help families develop confidence, independence and stability.
• Support victims and survivors to maintain their current accommodation and develop the skills required to sustain future accommodation.
• Provide resettlement support to individuals and families moving on from safe accommodation.
• Advocate for victims, survivors and children when working with partner agencies and services.
• Support individuals to move towards living safely and independently, free from domestic abuse.

Partnership Working

• Develop effective working relationships with housing and homelessness teams and other relevant services.
• Work collaboratively with social services, education, police, healthcare providers, local authorities and voluntary organisations.
• Provide information and informal/formal training to colleagues to improve understanding and responses to domestic abuse.
• Make and receive appropriate referrals and ensure effective communication between agencies.
• Work with volunteers and contribute positively to the wider service.

Safeguarding & Compliance

• Recognise and respond appropriately to adult and child safeguarding concerns.
• Make referrals to relevant statutory agencies where required.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date case records, statistics and electronic case management systems.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and comply with relevant data protection requirements.
• Work in accordance with relevant policies, procedures, legislation and professional standards.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation of the service.
• Understand and apply lone-working procedures.

Team & Professional Development

• Attend team meetings, supervision, appraisal sessions, training and other relevant events.
• Take responsibility for your own continued professional development.
• Support colleagues and provide cover where required.
• Contribute to fundraising and awareness-raising activities where appropriate.
• Respond to emergencies outside normal office hours where required as part of an agreed rota.
• Undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the role and needs of the service.

Person Specification

Essential Requirements

• Experience working with vulnerable individuals or families.
• Knowledge and experience of adult and child safeguarding principles.
• Understanding of relevant safeguarding legislation, guidance and referral procedures.
• Experience working within a multi-agency and legislative framework.
• Ability to prioritise and manage competing workloads.
• Understanding of data protection and confidentiality requirements.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Understanding of lone-working practices.
• Proficient IT skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel, with the ability to maintain electronic case management systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, negotiation and advocacy skills.
• Strong crisis management skills and the ability to remain calm when dealing with stressful or challenging situations.
• Good understanding of housing and homelessness legislation and its application within the domestic abuse sector.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a car for work purposes.
• Enhanced DBS clearance will be required.

Qualifications

• Relevant Level 2 qualification relating to safeguarding or a willingness to achieve the required qualification within the specified timeframe.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a compassionate, resilient and highly organised professional who can provide calm, effective support to people experiencing incredibly difficult circumstances.

You will need to be confident working independently while also building strong relationships with partner agencies and colleagues.

Excellent communication, advocacy and crisis management skills are essential, alongside a genuine commitment to supporting victims and survivors to achieve safety, stability and independence.

Apply Today

If you have experience supporting vulnerable people and are passionate about making a meaningful difference to individuals and families affected by domestic abuse, Joneshouse Recruitment would love to hear from you.

Ref: SD15