Domestic Abuse Complex Needs Specialist (Safe Accommodation)

Homeless Link; Manchester; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

The Housing Network is seeking a Domestic Abuse Complex Needs Specialist to join a new dispersed safe accommodation service in Manchester. You will provide person-centred, trauma-informed support to victims and survivors living in safe accommodation and help residents achieve greater independence.

You will assess risk, develop safety and support plans, and deliver practical and emotional assistance while coordinating with external agencies to ensure safety and housing outcomes.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse.
• Experience completing DASH assessments, safety plans and/or contributing to MARAC.
• Experience safeguarding adults and children and managing risk.
• Experience of strengths-based, person-centred and trauma-informed support.

Responsibilities

• Provide intensive one-to-one support, advocacy and practical assistance.
• Build safe, trusting relationships with victims and survivors.
• Complete DASH assessments, risk assessments and safety plans.
• Contribute to MARAC and other high-risk domestic abuse pathways.
• Support residents with complex needs, including mental ill health and homelessness.
• Safeguard adults and children and respond to escalating concerns.
• Assist with benefits, budgeting, debt, tenancy readiness and housing applications.
• Develop move-on and resettlement plans for safe accommodation.
• Collaborate with domestic abuse services, council, police and health services.
• Maintain accurate case records and performance information.
• Promote resident choice, independence and long-term wellbeing.

Skills

Domestic abuse support

Trauma-informed

Risk assessment

Advocacy

Case recording

Communication

Partnership working

Empathy

Education

Level 2 qualification in Health & Social Care, Domestic Abuse, Housing or related area

Job description

Domestic Abuse Complex Needs Specialist (Safe Accommodation)

Location: Manchester City
Salary:29,000
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 40 hours per week
Working hours: Flexible service rota, including core cover between 9am–10pm Monday to Friday, with agreed emergency/out-of-hours arrangements
DBS: Enhanced DBS required

About The Housing Network

At The Housing Network (THN), we believe everyone deserves more than a roof. We provide safe and stable accommodation alongside the support people need to rebuild their lives.

We are looking for a Domestic Abuse Complex Needs Specialist to join a new dispersed safe accommodation service supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse and their children who may also be experiencing multiple and intersecting needs.

These may include homelessness, mental or physical ill health, substance use, disability, deprivation, social isolation and other barriers to safety, recovery and independence.

About the role

As a Domestic Abuse Complex Needs Specialist, you will provide person-centred, trauma-informed and strengths-based support to victims and survivors living in safe accommodation.

You will build trusting relationships, assess risk and need, develop safety and support plans, and provide practical and emotional support to help residents move towards greater independence and sustainable accommodation.

The role combines specialist domestic abuse support with housing management, requiring you to work confidently with residents, colleagues and a wide range of external agencies.

Key responsibilities

• Provide intensive one-to-one support, advocacy, practical assistance and group work.

• Build safe, respectful and trusting relationships with victims and survivors.

• Complete strengths-based assessments, DASH assessments, risk assessments and safety plans.

• Contribute to MARAC and other high-risk domestic abuse pathways.

• Support residents experiencing complex and intersecting needs, including mental ill health, substance use and homelessness.

• Safeguard adults and children, responding appropriately to serious or escalating concerns.

• Support residents with benefits, budgeting, debt, tenancy readiness and housing applications.

• Develop personalised move-on and resettlement plans to help residents access safe, sustainable accommodation.

• Work closely with domestic abuse services, Manchester City Council, police, health services, children's services, homelessness organisations and voluntary and community partners.

• Maintain accurate and timely case records and performance information.

• Promote resident choice, independence, resilience and long-term wellbeing.

• Support the safety and security of dispersed accommodation.

About you

We are looking for someone with demonstrable experience supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse, or closely related experience supporting people experiencing multiple disadvantage and complex needs.

You will have:

• Knowledge of domestic abuse, coercive control, trauma and its impact on individuals and families.

• Experience completing DASH assessments, safety plans and/or contributing to MARAC.

• Experience of safeguarding adults and children and managing risk.

• Experience of strengths-based, person-centred and trauma-informed support.

• Experience of accommodation-based support, housing management, benefits or move-on/resettlement.

• The ability to engage people who may have inconsistent engagement, using empathy, persistence and professional boundaries.

• Strong communication, advocacy, partnership-working and case-recording skills.

• A commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, confidentiality and survivor choice.

• The ability to work flexibly across dispersed accommodation in Manchester.

Qualifications and requirements

A Level 2 qualification in Health & Social Care, Domestic Abuse, Housing or a related area is desirable, or you must be willing to work towards an appropriate qualification.

Relevant training in domestic abuse, safeguarding, trauma-informed practice and risk assessment is desirable, with further development available.

An Enhanced DBS is required for this role.

You will need to be able to travel between dispersed accommodation and partner locations in Manchester. A full UK driving licence and company car and fuel card provided.

Why join The Housing Network?

This is an opportunity to join a growing service at an important stage of its development and make a genuine difference to the lives of victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

You will play a key role in helping people move from crisis towards safety, stability, independence and sustainable accommodation, while working as part of a collaborative multi-agency network.

If you are passionate about supporting people affected by domestic abuse and complex needs, and want to use your skills to make a meaningful difference, we would love to hear from you.