Job info	Job info details
Job title	Domestic Abuse Resettlement Officer
Strategic team/Directorate	Adults and Community Services
Service	Housing Options
Business unit	Community Safety
Responsible to (day to day issues)	Housing Options Team Leader
Accountable to (line manager)	Housing Options Manager
Salary grade	F
JE ref	JOT65a

1. Key purpose of job

• To improve outcomes, including general wellbeing, for people who are in temporary accommodation and refuge space provided by TDAS. 
• To facilitate move on from temporary accommodation and Refuge space in a timely manner.
• To assist our most complex and vulnerable clients who have lost or fled their accommodation to help them move into suitable housing and sustain it.
• To assist our clients into relevant support services where need has been identified.
• To provide comprehensive advice and support on housing options with the aim of preventing homelessness wherever possible. 
• To ensure effective communication across relevant teams to ensure a coordinated delivery of supportive or other interventions that meet the needs of those that are homeless and address other relevant community safety concerns.
• To promote the safeguarding of adults and children who use the service.

2. Anticipated outcomes of post

• Targeted intervention focusing on engaging with those who are homelessness and facilitating settled and permanent accommodation.
• Reduced demand on Housing Options and associated services.
• Improved safety, wellbeing, access to / maintenance of accommodation and engagement with services. Reduced social isolation, vulnerability and risk of harm.
• Maintenance of accurate and up to date information of those that are accessing temporary accommodation and bespoke plans of working with them to enable the best response to identified need.
• More effective partnership working by the implementation of effective working arrangements and information sharing across relevant teams.

3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post

• To work with Torbay Domestic Abuse Service (TDAS) and the various parts of Torbay Council’s Teams and Housing Options team share information and coordinate comprehensive interventions.
• To manage a case load and assist other officers with advice, related to complaints/cases received by Housing Options and the wider Community Safety Department that involving homelessness.
• To provide direct assistance to clients to attend important appointments commensurate with the aims of the post including house viewing.
• Work with clients seeking support, by developing a holistic approach to care planning and risk management and working in collaboration with other services to assess their needs and identify work towards individual goals ensuring an integrated approach towards support and risk management.
• To offer support and guidance to individuals who have lost and fled their accommodation.
• To provide appropriate advocacy for clients experiencing difficulties.
• Develop positive working relationships with clients in order to facilitate the best possible outcomes and address issues of social isolation and exclusion.
• To complete housing benefit applications with all those accessing temporary accommodation and support those who have been assisted into move-on accommodation.
• To use a solution focussed approach in the work undertaken.
• Work in such a way that considers and promotes the safety and wellbeing of the wider community.
• Ensure effective and confidential communication between local authority, statutory agencies such as the Police and health care agencies.
• Maintain accurate and timely records and assist with the monitoring of outcomes.
• Conducting all external relations in such a way as to enhance the Alliance’s good standing and reputation.
• Proactively work with landlords, provide advice re anti-social behaviour, tenancies, obligations etc to facilitate sustainable tenancies.
• To ensure appropriate safeguarding takes place at all times in line with established policy and procedure times in relation to adults and children identified in the course of duties.
• To be flexible and carry out such other appropriate duties as may be required by the head of service commensurate with the grade of this post. 

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

• There will be normal working environment although will be expected to attend home visits and undertake assessments in properties or engage with individuals on a regular basis.
• Client group are likely to be challenging and have complex needs, with the majority of engagement 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 - Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation 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 - Other service areas within Torbay Council including other Housing related sections and Senior Managers.

10. Other duties

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

Other Information

• All staff must commit to the Workplace Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Policy.
• 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 Children's Services are the Safeguarding Leads for the Council. 
• This post is office based at Town Hall Castle Circus Torquay but the post holder may be required to move their base to any other location within the Council at a future date.
• 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 customer facing, it will require the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• 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 Resettlement Officer
Strategic team/Directorate	Adults and Community Services
Service	Housing Options
Business unit	Community Safety

Skills and effectiveness

Essential skills and effectiveness

• To be able to use effectively a range of modes of communication including verbal, email, telephone, formal and in formal reports and in presentations taking into account issues of confidentiality.
• To be able to communicate with clarity, tact and purpose in all relevant situations.
• Good organisational ability, particularly self-organisation, ability to see tasks through to a successful conclusion.
• Attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to establish positive relationships with partners, generating confidence and respect.
• Ability to contribute towards change.
• Able to elicit information from service users, carers and professional staff surrounding a wide range of topics. 
• A democratic and inclusive style.
• Ability and willingness to make appropriate evidence based recommendations in complex cases ability to work independently.
• Ability to form appropriate professional relationships and boundaries with clients.
• Confidence in using one’s own authority effectively and appropriately.
• Tenacious approach to working with hard to engage clients.
• Pro-activity in seeking opportunities for development of skills and knowledge. 
• Confidence to suggest practice change where need is identified. 
• Initiative and commitment with a flexible approach to work.
• Ability to contribute to the evaluation of work undertaken and the outcomes. 

Desirable skills and effectiveness

• High standard of report writing.

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

• Working knowledge of risk assessments, safeguarding. 
• Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of Statutory and voluntary agencies and experience of liaising with them.
• Knowledge of PC based computer systems, including Excel and Word.
• Knowledge of how to access accommodation and rent a property.
• Knowledge and understanding of case management and the appropriate provision of information to external agencies.
• Knowledge of involving a client in their own care, taking a person centred approach.
• An understanding of the causes of homelessness and the pathways out of homelessness.
• An understanding of mental ill health, domestic abuse, sexual violence and substance misuse.

Desirable knowledge

• Awareness of welfare rights and benefits and the potential impacts of changes/proposed changes.
• Current homelessness legislation, case law, codes of practices.
• Working knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and subsequent legislation as it affects the client group.
• Knowledge of legal and professional matters in relation to this area of work. 

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

• Experience working with vulnerable individuals to achieve outcomes. 
• Experience or working collaboratively with other professionals and agencies.
• Ability to be holistic and assess the needs of individuals taking into account developmental, behavioural and environmental factors.
• Demonstrate experience of successful partnership working leading to positive outcomes. 

Desirable experience and achievements

• Experience of working in the substance misuse field.
• Conflict management and problem solving.
• Demonstrates experience of working in or with the health, social care or criminal justice setting.
• Experience of working with homeless people including key working and care planning. 

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

• Educated to GCSE standard or equivalent. 

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

• Educated to A Level standard or equivalent. 
• History of working with client group relating to the role. 

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 on-call working. 
• Ability to accommodate occasional/permanent home-working.