Domestic Abuse Complex Needs Specialist - #2139133

We are the Housing Network (THN), a purpose-led organisation working in partnership with the YMCA to support our communities.

We are in an exciting period of growth and have risen to 200th in the FT1000 Fastest Growing Companies in Europe! Homelessness is a vast and complex issue that does not have a single solution. In understanding that reality, we’ve learned the importance of perspective; appreciating that if we continue to innovate, collaborate, and give our best, we are playing our part in making a vital difference.

We are a team that is absolutely committed to innovate, excel and be dependable in all that we do.

Working hard together to achieve our mission of providing Better Accommodation, Better Support, Better Partnerships, and as a result Better Business.

What you will be doing:

• You will work in a new service providing safe accommodation for victims and survivors with intersecting needs.
• Using a strengths-based, person-centred and trauma-informed approach, you will build trusting relationships, complete dynamic risk and needs assessments, co-produce accessible support and safety plans, and provide practical and emotional support.
• You will also help victims and survivors move towards safe, sustainable accommodation. Support will be delivered flexibly within the service rota, including core cover from 9.00 am to 10.00 pm, Monday to Friday, and agreed emergency or out-of-hours arrangements, including weekends and Bank Holidays.

Who we are looking for:

• Ability to provide specialist support to victims and survivors of domestic abuse in a dispersed service.
• Hold a Full UK Drivers Licence - Company Car and fuel card provided.
• Knowledge and experience of all types of domestic violence and abuse and the intersectionality with other vulnerabilities and disadvantage, such as but not limited to, substance use, protected characteristics, health, social issues and gender.
• Expertise in working with victims and survivors from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds knowledge of the specific challenges they face.
• Experience of working with households with a large range of complex needs
• Experience of incorporating victims and survivors of domestic violence in both developing and delivering services.
• Experience of encouraging and developing volunteers.
• Experience of taking a strengths-based approach to service delivery.
• Developing innovative ideas and best practice around service delivery, partnership working, working with this group of adults, and working with volunteers and people with personal insight into domestic violence.
• Experience of trauma-informed working and therapeutic practice.
• Demonstrated ability to take an individualised and tailored approach to supporting each household, with experience in conducting outcome-focused risk and support assessments, and in developing inclusive support plans.
• Experience supporting victims/survivors to progress the actions within their support plan and explore and achieve goals.
• Experience and willingness to engage in multi-agency and partnership working, and an ability to build and maintain positive relationships across a range of agencies.
• Knowledge and experience of domestic violence and abuse.
• An awareness of the reality of move on options within the city and a proven ability to provide realistic housing advice, inclusive of securing accommodation within the private rented sector.
• An awareness of welfare benefits and how to deal with debt benefit calculations and applying for additional benefits such as Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP).
• Knowledge of safeguarding adults and children.
• Experience in supporting diverse groups and the ability to tailor support so that it is individualised and holistic.
• An ability to support victims and survivors to build autonomy and resilience.
• An ability to support victims and survivors to connect with their local communities, drawing on the resources and expertise of Manchester as a whole.
• An ability to develop skills and ensure safety for victims and survivors, both in the safe accommodation and to equip their move on from safe accommodation.

What you’ll receive:

• Salary - £29,000 Per Annum
• Company car and fuel card
• Simplyhealth Package
• Blue Light Card
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Employee Referral Scheme

We believe our values should reflect in our behaviour towards our colleagues, partners and residents while we work to achieve our Strategy 2024>29. These values are to be; Innovative, Dynamic, Dependable, Respectful, and Kind.

The Housing Network is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst the workforce.

We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and we are determined to ensure no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.

As an employer we welcome applications from candidates with lived experience, demonstrating our commitment to capturing the value of “expertise by experience” and providing More than a Voice for our residents.

All job offers are subject to a DBS check (level to be advised through the hiring process) and references.

The Housing Network is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. Applicants must already have the legal right to work in the UK to be considered.

We do not use AI to make hiring decisions. All screening, shortlisting and selection decisions are made by our recruitment team and hiring managers.