Job info	Job info details
Job title	Domestic Abuse Lead
Strategic team/Directorate	Adults and Community Services
Service	Housing
Business unit	Community Safety
Responsible to (day to day issues)	Housing Options Team Leader
Accountable to (line manager)	Housing Options Team Leader
Salary grade	G
JE ref	ADC042

1. Key purpose of job

• To provide comprehensive advice in line with government legislation to the public and Torbay Domestic Abuse Service on housing options with the aim of preventing homelessness.
• To accurately assess and discharge the council’s duty to homeless applicants in line with the legal framework for homelessness.
• To actively case manage clients to prevent and manage homelessness.
• To assist people to access the private rented sector through discretionary housing benefit payments and other method to enable them to access accommodation.
• To assist people to access social housing via Devon Home Choice where appropriate through providing guidance around qualify criteria and managing expectation.
• To maximise collaborative working with other agencies and Council departments to prevent homelessness.
• To promote the safeguarding of adults and children who use the service.
• To attend MARAC (Domestic abuse meetings) or IOM (Integrated Offender Management) meetings as the housing specialist to provide specialist advise and find accommodation solutions as to protect vulnerable individuals and reduce the risk of harm to life. This often involves a problem-solving approach due to the nature of the clients and inappropriateness of standard solutions.

2. Anticipated outcomes of post

• The prevention of homelessness through targeted early interventions and the provision of advice and Information.
• The coordination of services across agencies to ensure appropriate housing solutions are provided to those that are most vulnerable and or at risk of reoffending.
• Effective case management of applications for assistance in cases of homelessness that are thoroughly investigated, and decisions issued without reference to others. Private rented sector accommodation is accessed and becomes a sustainable option in terms of affordability and quality.
• Customer expectations are managed through local service delivery that is developed in a multi-agency way that is flexible and meets changing local need.
• The safeguarding of adults and children is embedded into service delivery.

3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post

• To carry out the council’s statutory duties under Housing legislation:
  • Applying homelessness legislation and case law accurately and consistently, including assessment of vulnerabilities and making decisions on whether homeless applications are successful or not. To accurately undertake investigation to obtain information sufficient to determine the council’s obligations under homeless legislation and to investigate the details of the homeless applications, including obtaining documentary evidence, making enquiries of other agencies and personal verification.
  • To manage domestic abuse cases to ensure that suitable provision is put in place to ensure statutory compliance and the protection of vulnerable individuals.
• To interview and respond to client’s enquiries to assess their housing circumstances via pre-set and emergency duty appointments, telephone assessments and or appointments at other locations such as the hostel etc.
• To undertake effectively and accurately case manage to ensure appropriate outcomes for complex homelessness and housing applications are achieved.
• Carrying out outreach work and home and joint visits with TDAS officers (for those unable to attend appointments).
• Provide comprehensive advice and advocacy on clients housing rights, availability of welfare benefits and financial management. To signpost clients to specialist advice agencies as appropriate.
• To pro-actively take action to prevent the loss of accommodation either as a short- or long-term solution using all means available avoiding the use of emergency accommodation wherever possible.
• To prevent homelessness through increasing access to the private rented sector and reducing demand on the local authority by:
  • Ensuring prompt completion of necessary housing benefit forms.
  • Applying and assisting clients to apply for discretionary housing benefit payments. 
  • Actively promoting private rented housing options rather than social rented housing.
  • Ensuring the client is aware of their obligation to make prompt rent payments and save towards deposits.
  • Provide quality housing advice to prevent and minimise homelessness and to enable them to resolve their own housing difficulties.
• To prevent homelessness or provide appropriate housing options for vulnerable individuals by establishing multi agency meetings and actions plans to enable a holistic approach to be undertaken.
• To attend outreach sessions providing housing advice to challenging and difficult to engage clients.
• As an Employee of Torbay Council all roles are expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. The Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding is the Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services.

4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post

• None. 

5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post

• None. 

6. Working environment and conditions of the post

• Normal working environment although will be expected to attend home visits and undertake assessments in properties or engage with individuals on the streets.
• Client group are likely to be challenging and have complex needs, with the majority of engagement not being outside of the office environment.

7. Physical demands of the post

• Normal physical effort. 

8. Specific resources used by the post

• PC, mobile phone etc.

9. Key contacts and relationships

External

• NHS care trust, GP’s, temporary accommodation providers, supporting people providers, letting agents, landlords, other support providers, registered landlords, advocacy agencies, social services, Probation, Police, IOM, housing needs services across Devon, and any other voluntary and statutory agencies.

Internal

• Housing benefit, affordable housing, Children services, Social services, wider Community Safety team - Housing Standards, and ASB, Connections, Call centre, other council departments, elected members and Senior Manager.

10. Other duties

• To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.

Other Information

• All staff must commit to Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discriminatory Practice.
• Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
• The post holder is expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. And are aware that the Chief Executive and the Director for Childrens Services are the Safeguarding Leads for the Council.
• The post is eligible for both hybrid and permanent home working.
• As this post meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check (Disclosure) from the Disclosure & Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of ALL cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions, whether “spent” or “unspent”. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post.
• The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement. 
• The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
• The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
• The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes.
• If this post is a customer facing role and meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2017 (part 7) the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
• If you are required to access a government system such as HMRC, DWP or The Public services network (PSN) as part of your role with the Council you will be required to complete a basic disclose with your line manager before you can access these systems. Your manager will be required to complete a verification form that confirms your identity, nationality and immigration status, employment history and unspent convictions (third party).
• If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council.

Person Specification

Note for Candidate

All Candidates

The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement. In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.

Candidates who consider that they have a disability

Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.

If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.

Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.

If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.

Job info	Job info details
Job Title	Domestic Abuse Lead
Strategic team/Directorate	Adults and Community Services
Service	Housing
Business unit	Community Safety

Skills and effectiveness

Essential skills and effectiveness

• As this post meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2016 (part 7), the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
• Ability to interpret and apply relevant Homeless, Housing and Health legislation to ensure that statutory duties are maintained.
• Ability to problem solve and think and act creatively to apply different working solutions to ensure legislative compliance and value for money for the local authority.
• Ability to deal with difficult situations in a calm and sympathetic manner, especially in dealing with vulnerable individuals in complex situations.
• To undertake interviews, this may also include those under legal caution, to undertake an assessment of need and compliance with legislation.
• To be able to communicate with clarity, tact and purpose in all relevant situations especially those of a sensitive and emotional nature.
• Good organisational ability, particularly self organization, ability to see tasks through to a successful conclusion, whilst working to tight deadlines.
• Attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records to provide accountability, deliverability and to be used as evidence if required.
• Ability to establish positive relationships with partners generating confidence and respect.
• Able to elicit information from service users, careers and professionals staff to make informed decisions.

Desirable skills and effectiveness

• Presentation skills.
• Ability to contribute towards change and innovation.

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

• Current and in-depth knowledge of homelessness legislation, case law, codes of practice.
• In-depth knowledge of housing benefits to maximum financial recovery for the local authority and to mitigate financial risk.
• Current and in-depth knowledge on the different forms of tenancy to provide different working solution and creative outcomes.
• Ability to critically assess if an offence has been committed under housing, benefit or tenancy legislation and take action as required.
• Ability to undertake risk assessments with regards to the placement of tenants and hazardous conditions in properties under Housing Act legislation.
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of case management and the appropriate provision of information to external agencies to ensure safeguarding and data breaches do not occur.

Desirable knowledge

• Knowledge of the principles underpinning provision of a comprehensive range of housing services.
• Private Sector letting arrangements.
• Awareness of Welfare rights and benefits and the potential impact of changes/proposed changes.
• Knowledge of the local housing environment and housing letting schemes including Devon Home Choice.
• Knowledge of Children's Act 1989 and hence duties of the local authority.

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

• Conducting interviews and assessments of applicants under the Housing Act 1996, Part VII Significant experience in homelessness advice or related work.
• Extensive experience as Housing Options Officer (or related field).
• Extensive experience of interviewing/dealing with the public.
• Experience of making own decisions without reference to senior officers.
• Experience of managing complex case work in a multi agency environment and working in partnership.
• Experience of working with competing deadlines whilst meeting targets. 
• Chairing and calling meeting to ensure that a holist approach is undertaken to client management.

Desirable experience and achievements

• Working in a Local Government Environment.
• Allocations/Lettings process.
• Experience of dealing with people with challenging behaviour and complex needs including mental health issues.
• Working in a housing environment or directly related area, e.g. welfare benefits, CAB.
• Experience of performance and quality control management in a results orientated environment.
• Attending Court to give evidence.
• Ability to undertake HHSRS assessments under Housing standards legislation.

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

• Educated to GCSE O Level standard or equivalent. 

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

• Up to date training in enforcement issues and relevant legislative requirements.
• HHSRS Qualification.

Other requirements

Other requirements of the job role

• Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
• Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay/South West/UK in order to carry out duties.
• Ability to accommodate unsociable hours.
• Ability to accommodate shift patterns.
• Ability to accommodate on-call working.
• Ability to accommodate occasional/permanent home-working.