Domestic Abuse Liasion Officer

Why Southwark? Could your expertise help prevent homelessness, improve safety and transform the way housing services respond to domestic abuse? If yes, we have an exciting opportunity or you! Southwark Council is seeking an experienced and passionate Domestic Abuse Liaison Officer to help shape a safer, more effective housing response for residents affected by domestic abuse.

About the Role:

This is an opportunity to use your specialist knowledge to influence practice, support colleagues, strengthen partnerships and improve outcomes for survivors. Based within Housing Needs and Support, this role plays a key part in delivering Southwark’s prevention-focused approach - ensuring residents receive the right support at the right time and have access to safe and sustainable housing solutions. This specialist role focuses on early intervention, prevention, and service improvement.

You will work across all housing tenures, collaborating with Housing Associations, private rented sector landlords, internal teams and specialist agencies to reduce the risk of homelessness and support residents to achieve safer housing outcomes. Rather than managing a large ongoing caseload, you will provide targeted specialist advice and intervention at key points of risk. You will also contribute to wider service improvement by developing guidance, improving processes and building confidence across housing services.

What You'll Be Doing As the Domestic Abuse Liaison Officer, you will:
Provide specialist housing advice, guidance and support to residents affected by domestic abuse, helping them access safe and appropriate housing options. Support residents to remain in their homes where it is safe and appropriate, using effective safety planning and risk management approaches. Work with Housing Associations and private landlords to negotiate solutions, prevent homelessness and challenge inappropriate housing decisions where required.

Provide specialist advice on complex and high-risk situations, supporting risk assessments, safeguarding responses and coordinated interventions. Identify opportunities for early intervention and prevention, reducing the likelihood of homelessness linked to domestic abuse. Support tenancy sustainment through practical solutions such as security measures, tenancy changes, managed moves, or alternative accommodation where remaining in the home is not safe. Advise housing colleagues on responding appropriately to domestic abuse within tenancy management, enforcement, arrears and decision-making processes.

Develop and improve procedures, guidance and tools to strengthen the Council’s response to domestic abuse. Support training and learning opportunities that increase staff confidence in identifying and responding effectively to domestic abuse. Work in partnership with statutory services, specialist domestic abuse organisations, and housing providers to achieve positive outcomes for residents. What We're Looking For We are looking for someone who is committed to improving the lives of residents affected by domestic abuse and understands the critical role housing plays in creating safety and stability.

You will have:

Experience of working with people affected by domestic abuse, safeguarding concerns, homelessness, housing insecurity, or complex needs. Strong knowledge of domestic abuse, risk assessment, safety planning and appropriate support responses. Experience providing specialist advice, advocacy, or professional guidance. The ability to assess complex situations, identify solutions and influence positive outcomes. Strong partnership-working skills, with the confidence to collaborate with and challenge landlords, agencies and colleagues where necessary.

Experience of developing guidance, improving services, or supporting changes in practice. Excellent communication skills and the ability to build trust with residents, professionals and partner organisations. Most importantly, you will be someone who believes in prevention, understands the impact of domestic abuse, and is motivated by creating meaningful change. For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description…