Domestic Abuse Caseworker

Victim Support; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Working Options

Generous Annual Leave

Birthday Leave

Pension Plan

Enhanced Allowances

Exclusive Discounts

Financial Wellbeing

Wellbeing Support

Inclusive Networks

Sustainable Travel

Career Development

Job summary

Victim Support is seeking a Domestic Abuse Caseworker to provide high-quality support to victims of domestic abuse and other crimes across Avon & Somerset. The role is full-time and hybrid between the Vassall Centre and home working, with regular travel to central Bristol and police station attendance as part of police vetting.

You will lead initial contact with victims, complete holistic risk assessments, and coordinate support across agencies.

Qualifications

• Understanding the impact of crime on victims.
• Effective verbal and written communication.
• Proven track record delivering services in statutory, voluntary or multi-agency settings.
• Ability to balance competing needs and priorities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload delivering victim-centred support.
• Make initial proactive contact with victims and explain VS services.
• Conduct risk and needs assessments following VS operating procedures.
• Provide information and advocacy to navigate the criminal justice process.
• Collaborate with partners to refer victims to housing, social services and health.

Skills

Empathy

Verbal communication

Written communication

Teamwork

Independent work

Relationship building

Multi-agency collaboration

Job description

We are looking for a motivated, proactive and compassionate Domestic Abuse Caseworker to support victims of crime.

The service provides support across the whole geography of Avon & Somerset. This role involves making initial contact with victims of domestic abuse and other crimes, providing support in a dynamic and ever-changing environment. The role is full-time and is hybrid between the Vassall Centre and home working, and therefore a suitable and confidential workspace at home is required. The position also requires regular working from Bridewell Police Station in central Bristol, so police vetting will need to be undertaken.

Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it?

Do you have resilience & adaptability?

If yes, then we’d love to hear from you…

What we offer

At Victim Support, we are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent. Our competitive rewards and benefits package includes:

• Flexible Working Options: Including hybrid working.
• Generous Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
• Birthday Leave: An extra day off for your birthday.
• Pension Plan: 5% employer contribution.
• Enhanced Allowances: Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
• Exclusive Discounts: High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
• Financial Wellbeing: Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary-deducted finance.
• Wellbeing Support: Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
• Inclusive Networks: Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
• Sustainable Travel: Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
• Career Development: Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career progression.

About the Role

As a Domestic Abuse Caseworker you will provide high quality support to victims of domestic abuse and other crimes, leading on completing initial impact and risk assessments that are comprehensive and holistic. You will also contribute to providing cover for the local VS Helpline.

Key Responsibilities:

• Effectively managing a caseload of service users, delivering excellent services which support the commissioners and their service goals to victims. Undertake initial proactive contact with victims, explaining VS services and promoting the benefits of accessing support.

• Ensure each victim receives an individually appropriate tailored support and information service that fully meets their needs, keeping complex needs central to all processes and decisions. This will be delivered face to face, via telephone, video-chat, text and/or email based on the preferences of the client.

• Undertake risk and needs assessments to address the specific needs of the client in line with VS operating procedures. To follow relevant safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure an integrated approach to address any safeguarding concerns.

• Provide information and advocacy to enable service users to navigate and understand the criminal justice process and ensure their rights are upheld in accordance with the Victims Code of Practice.

• Identify barriers to individuals accessing our services and determine solutions. Work with multi-agency partners to which victims can be referred for ongoing and specialist support such as housing, social services and health provision.

• Maintain accurate and confidential case records, complying with data protection and all other legislation connected to your work.

About You:

You will need:

• An understanding of the impact of crime on victims such as anti-social behavior, domestic abuse, sexual violence and hate crime.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering services and working directly within a statutory, voluntary or multi agency setting(s).
• Ability to balance competing needs and priorities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• A successful track record of building effective working relationships across internal and external stakeholders.

This role involves regular travel and due to the location, a driving license and access to a vehicle is considered an essential requirement. If you are unable to drive because of a disability, please indicate this in your application in your personal statement so we can explore the feasibility of alternative arrangements.

About Us

Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

At Victim Support, we’re proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We’re committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.