Domestic Abuse Health Advisor

JOB DESCRIPTION

Join us and be part of a specialist team working with health professionals to identify and support individuals affected by domestic abuse.

Location Chesterfield Employer The Elm Foundation Reports To Community Service Manager Hours Full Time 35 hours per week – Monday – Friday. Contract Permanent contract. Qualifications IDVA (Safe Lives) or willingness to work towards this qualification. Training will be funded and supported by The Elm Foundation. Salary Qualified      IDVA Grade 9 pay point 19 – £33,168 + 3% pension

Unqualified IDVA Grade 9 Pay point 16 – £31,061 + 3% pension

(once qualified will progress to pay point 19) Annual Leave 25 days + Public holidays increasing to 30 days annual leave after two years in employment. Start date Immediate

Purpose of the role

The Domestic Abuse Health Advisor will provide specialist support to individuals experiencing domestic abuse who are identified within health and community settings across Chesterfield, Northeast Derbyshire and Bolsover.

The role focuses on early intervention and support for individuals assessed as standard to medium risk, helping to improve safety, health and wellbeing through risk assessment, safety planning, advocacy and access to services.

The postholder will work closely with health professionals including primary care, hospitals, mental health services and community health teams to ensure victims of domestic abuse are identified and supported effectively.

The Domestic Abuse Health Advisor will support individuals to access appropriate health, housing, legal and wellbeing services while working collaboratively with statutory and voluntary sector partners to reduce risk and improve outcomes.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Victim Support

Provide specialist advocacy and support to individuals experiencing domestic abuse.

Work primarily with individuals assessed as standard to medium risk, providing early intervention and support to reduce risk and prevent escalation.

Provide one-to-one support through face-to-face meetings, telephone support and outreach in community and health settings.

Support victims through:

• Emotional and practical support
• Safety planning and risk management
• Advocacy with statutory and voluntary sector agencies
• Support to access safe accommodation where required
• Support with legal options and criminal justice processes where appropriate
• Access to health and wellbeing services

Manage an allocated caseload and provide ongoing support.

Respond appropriately to crisis situations and safeguarding concerns.

Health Partnership Working

Act as a key link between The Elm Foundation and local health services.

Develop effective working relationships with:

• Primary and secondary care Networks
• Hospitals and emergency departments
• Mental health services
• Community health teams
• Sexual health services
• Substance misuse services

Support health professionals to identify domestic abuse and make safe referrals to specialist support services.

Provide guidance and information to health professionals regarding domestic abuse and appropriate referral pathways.

Promote awareness of domestic abuse and available support services within health settings.

Risk Assessment and Case Management

Undertake risk and needs assessments using recognised domestic abuse assessment tools, including the DASH Risk Identification Checklist.

Develop and implement safety plans with victims.

Provide ongoing case management and review risk levels regularly.

Where risk escalates and individuals are assessed as high risk, refer cases to MARAC and specialist IDVA services in line with local procedures.

Ensure safeguarding concerns relating to adults and children are identified and escalated appropriately.

Multi-Agency Working

Work collaboratively with statutory and voluntary sector partners to support victims.

Develop effective working relationships with:

• Police and criminal justice agencies
• Housing providers
• Children’s and adult social care
• Community and voluntary sector organisations

Attend multi-agency meetings, safeguarding meetings and case discussions where required.

Ensure effective information sharing in line with safeguarding and confidentiality protocols.

Case Recording and Monitoring

Maintain accurate and confidential case records in line with organisational policies and data protection legislation.

Record risk assessments, safety plans and safeguarding concerns appropriately.

Assist with service monitoring and reporting requirements.

Contribute to service evaluation and continuous improvement.

Generic Duties and Responsibilities

Work collaboratively as part of The Elm Foundation team to deliver high-quality services.

Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of work.

Demonstrate commitment to trauma-informed and anti-discriminatory practice.

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of domestic abuse, safeguarding legislation, health services, housing and welfare systems.

Participate in supervision, appraisal, training and professional development.

Undertake administrative duties necessary to support effective service delivery.

Undertake any other duties reasonably requested by management.

Data Protection and Confidentiality

The postholder must maintain the highest standards of confidentiality when handling sensitive personal information.

Responsibilities include:

• Ensuring all information is managed in accordance with UK GDPR and Data Protection legislation.
• Sharing information only where it is lawful, necessary and proportionate, particularly where safeguarding concerns are identified.
• Following organisational policies relating to confidentiality, information governance and data security.
• Maintaining strict confidentiality regarding victims and refuge locations.
• Sharing information appropriately with health professionals and partner agencies in line with safeguarding procedures and information sharing protocols.
• Maintaining confidentiality except where safeguarding concerns require information sharing in accordance with legal and organisational procedures.

Professional Conduct

The postholder is expected to demonstrate high standards of professional behaviour.

This includes:

• Maintaining a person-centred, trauma-informed and victim-survivor focused approach.
• Demonstrating professionalism, integrity and respect in all professional interactions.
• Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries at all times.
• Working in accordance with organisational policies, safeguarding procedures and professional standards.
• Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of work.
• Representing The Elm Foundation positively in all partnership and multi-agency work.

Working Independently and Decision Making

The Domestic Abuse Health Advisor must be able to work confidently and independently within a dynamic and sometimes high-pressure environment.

The role requires the ability to:

• Assess risk and support needs and make informed safeguarding decisions.
• Work independently while maintaining effective communication with colleagues and partner agencies.
• Remain calm and focused when responding to crisis situations.
• Use professional judgement when managing complex situations involving vulnerable individuals.
• Prioritise workload effectively and manage competing demands.

Person Specification

Essential Experience

• Experience supporting individuals affected by domestic abuse, violence against women and girls (VAWG) or related safeguarding issues.
• Experience undertaking risk assessments and safety planning with individuals experiencing domestic abuse.
• Experience working within a multi-agency environment, including partnership working with statutory and voluntary sector organisations.
• Experience supporting individuals experiencing crisis situations or complex needs.
• Experience managing a caseload and maintaining accurate case records.

Essential Knowledge

• Knowledge of domestic abuse dynamics, including coercive and controlling behaviour.
• Understanding of the impact of domestic abuse on physical and mental health.
• Understanding of safeguarding procedures relating to adults and children.
• Knowledge of risk assessment processes including DASH.
• Understanding of multi-agency working practices including MARAC.
• Awareness of services relating to housing, health, criminal justice and social care.

Essential Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build trust and rapport with individuals experiencing domestic abuse.
• Ability to assess risk and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and use professional judgement.
• Strong organisational and case management skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate and confidential records.
• Ability to work effectively with professionals across health, statutory and voluntary sectors.

Personal Qualities

• Commitment to a person-centred and trauma-informed approach.
• Empathy, resilience and professionalism when supporting vulnerable individuals.
• Ability to remain calm and focused in challenging situations.
• Strong commitment to equality, diversity and anti-discriminatory practice.
• Flexible and adaptable approach to work.

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in domestic abuse, safeguarding, social care or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Safe lives IDVA qualification or willingness to undertake this qualification.

Additional Requirements

• Enhanced DBS check.
• Ability to travel locally across the service delivery area.

Application deadline: Friday 27/03/2026.Interviews: Thursday 02/04/2026.

Complete the Application Form (below) and Covering Letter and email to: recruitment@theelmfoundation.org.uk REF: DA HA