Grade: Band C

Salary: £20,115 to £27,339

Closing Date: 24th March 2019

  About the Role:  

West Midlands Public Protection Unit are recruiting Domestic Abuse Safeguarding Support Officers at various locations across the force.  There are full time and part time opportunities available.

  Specific Role Purpose:

• To identify and safeguard vulnerable victims of Domestic Abuse using appropriate tactics. Conduct dynamic risk assessments to determine effective safeguarding interventions, and work with partner agencies deliver safety plans.
• Key responsiblities:
• Develop and implement strategies and safety plans to safeguard high risk (crime and non-crime) and medium risk (crime with outstanding suspect and non-crime) victims of domestic abuse (DA), including rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO), attempted murder, most serious violence offences (MSV), Honour Based Abuse (HBA), and Forced Marriage
• Work with partner agencies to provide intervention at the earliest opportunity to protect victims of domestic abuse and promote a coordinated approach to supporting and protecting victims and their families.
• Safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, making agency referrals, including adult MASH where appropriate.
• Conduct risk based visits with victims of domestic abuse, either as a sole agency or jointly with partners.
• Identify and negotiate refuge and other safeguarding accommodation, locally and nationally, and where necessary ensure that appropriate transport is arranged and victims are safely accommodated.Ensure that appropriate protocols are followed to support victims of Honour Based Abuse and Forced Marriage.
• Develop and implement a safety plan to reduce repeat victims of Domestic Abuse supported by other agencies.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of force policy and procedure, legislation, and guidance concerning Domestic Abuse, Honour Based Abuse, and Forced Marriage.
• Maintain knowledge of national pilot schemes and initiatives, local and national best practice, domestic homicide review recommendations, Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) guidance, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) inspection recommendations, and civil interventions (eg. DVPO, FMPO).
• Receive and record referrals from internal departments and external partners updating relevant police IT systems.
• Make appropriate referrals to relevant agencies, where necessary, for victims, witnesses, and perpetrators and identify appropriate pathways.
• Conduct dynamic risk assessments (DASH) where appropriate, re-assess and highlight inaccuracies in primary assessments to the relevant supervisor for approval.
• Ensure that high risk victims are appropriately assessed and referred to Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC).
• Prepare for, attend and actively contribute to relevant meetings, case conferences, strategy discussions, Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC), and Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) meetings where appropriate.
• Record and update WMP systems with MARAC actions and ensure prompt completion as necessary.
• Conduct comprehensive intelligence checks using PNC, PND, Corvus, IMS and other systems to support safeguarding strategies.
• Complete comprehensive intelligence checks on police databases and systems in preparation for meetings and conferences and document information shared with partner agencies.
• Understand and manage the appropriate gathering and dissemination of intelligence. Submit intelligence in accordance with policy and procedure.
• Review and complete referrals received in accordance with the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (Clare’s law). Review urgent referrals and escalate to a supervisor for action.
• Provide support and guidance to front line officers regarding the completion of risk assessments (incl. DASH, Karma Nirvana, Stalking), HBA Protocol, and emergency accommodation.
• Assume responsibility for the maintenance, supply, and monitoring of TecSOS mobile alarms.
• Work closely with Domestic Abuse Offender Managers within Local Offender Management Units (LOMU) to support intervention strategies with domestic abuse perpetrators.
• Obtain written statements from victims and witnesses, seize and exhibit third party material, completing and maintaining all required documentation, ensuring integrity, continuity, and correct storage.
• Support victims through the criminal justice process and attend court where necessary.
• Prepare documents and files, attend court and lay information to support the application of civil orders (e.g. DVPO, FMPO).
• Any other duties commensurate with the role and band / grade.
• Locations:
• Central Safeguarding - Perry Barr
• Eastern Safeguarding - Coventry
• Western Safeguarding - Bloxwich
•   Knowledge & Experience 
  
  Essential:
• Experience of working in an environment dealing with the public
• Working knowledge of confidentiality and data protection issues
• Working in an environment where that have developed and implemented strategies and safety plans
• Experience of working with partner agencies/multi agency environment
• Desirable:
• Previous experience of working in a Domestic Abuse environment or with partner agencies
• Understanding of WMP IT systems – training will be provided
• Understanding of WMP IT systems
• Working knowledge of Police and Criminal evidence act
• Experience of dealing with conflict
• Skills
• Exceptional organisational Skills
• Must Work under pressure at times and to tight deadlines
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal
• Evidence of competent IT Skills
• Ability to persuade and influence
• Demonstrable flexibility 
• On occasions be expected to work without direct supervision and will be required to make decisions using own initiative
• Be able to demonstrate effective presentation skills (ie - MARAC and Case Conferences)
• Able to participate effectively in meetings, making valuable contributions
• Able to manage and prioritise their own workload and, where appropriate, that of a team
• Hold a full UK driving licence
• Training will be provided in law, first aid and personal safety techniques before entering the workplace and ongoing support and mentoring will be provided from within a small team. 
• Interviews will take place week commencing 1st April 2019  

• West Midlands Police are currently undertaking a long term review of staff pay and conditions.  The grade, pay and other terms of employment are therefore subject to review and may change in the future.