Domestic Abuse Practitioner

Domestic Abuse Practitioner Oxford £29705.48 to £33433.78 Job Purpose To work as part of a specialist Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Team, supporting the delivery of interventions designed to reduce abusive behaviour, increase accountability and improve the safety and wellbeing of victims, children and families. The role involves working directly with individuals who have used or are at risk of using abusive or controlling behaviour within intimate or family relationships.

The successful candidate will use a trauma-informed, strengths-based and non-judgemental approach , while maintaining clear professional boundaries and placing victim and child safety at the centre of all work.

Key Responsibilities Work directly with perpetrators of domestic abuse to address and challenge abusive behaviours. Support individuals to recognise the impact of their behaviour on partners, ex-partners and children. Deliver or support structured interventions and behaviour-change programmes. Undertake assessments of risk, needs and suitability for intervention. Develop effective working relationships while maintaining professional boundaries. Challenge minimisation, denial, victim-blaming and justification of abusive behaviour appropriately.

Maintain a clear focus on accountability and behaviour change. Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns involving adults and children. Work collaboratively with victims' services, social workers, police, probation, housing, health services and other professionals. Contribute to risk management and safety planning. Maintain accurate and timely case records, assessments and reports. Attend multi-agency meetings, reviews and case discussions as required.

Follow organisational policies, safeguarding procedures and information-sharing protocols. Maintain confidentiality while recognising circumstances where information must be shared to protect individuals from harm. Support positive and sustainable behaviour change while recognising and managing ongoing risks. Person Specification Essential:
Experience working within social care, support work, criminal justice, domestic abuse or a related setting. Understanding of domestic abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour and its impact on victims and children . Experience working with individuals who may present challenging or complex behaviours. Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to challenge inappropriate behaviour constructively and professionally. Understanding of safeguarding and risk assessment.

Ability to maintain professional boundaries. Calm, resilient and emotionally mature approach. Good written skills and ability to maintain accurate records. Ability to work effectively within a multi-agency environment. Commitment to equality, diversity and respectful practice. Desirable:
Experience working directly with domestic abuse perpetrators. Knowledge of perpetrator intervention programmes and behaviour-change models. Experience working with probation, courts, police or other criminal justice services. Relevant qualification in social care, counselling, psychology, domestic abuse or a related discipline. Understanding of trauma-informed practice and motivational interviewing.

The Ideal Candidate The successful candidate will be confident, emotionally resilient and able to balance empathy with appropriate challenge . They will be comfortable having difficult conversations, holding individuals accountable for their behaviour and maintaining a clear focus on safeguarding. They will understand that effective perpetrator work is not simply about supporting the individual it is about reducing risk, challenging harmful behaviour and contributing to safer relationships and families .