The Role

We’re looking for a positive and dedicated individual to support our vital work tackling Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG). If you are looking for an opportunity to make a difference to the lives of some of our most vulnerable residents then this could be the role for you. This will be a 12 months fixed-term post or a secondment opportunity for internal staff.

The new Domestic Abuse Act requires multiple changes to the way local authorities and partnerships tackle Domestic Abuse including provision of safe accommodation, raising awareness, protecting victims and children, deterring perpetrators, and strengthening the support for victims of abuse by statutory agencies.

You will work to assist in preparing and implementing the duties and responsibilities of the Domestic Abuse Act and ensuring that Richmond and Wandsworth continue to maintain a strong partnership approach to tackling domestic abuse.

You will develop and maintain key working relationships and partnerships with various stakeholders and partners across Richmond and Wandsworth. You will oversee all work in relation to the Domestic Abuse Act with support from the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) manager and Vulnerabilities manager, alongside Housing leads and local Domestic Abuse Services to ensure that the council is Domestic Abuse Act ready.

You will also oversee all awareness raising and communications in relation to the Domestic Abuse Act duties and responsibilities across the partnership.

Ideally you will have experience of working with local communities, statutory and voluntary sector organisations and an understanding of how agencies work to protect victims of violence and abuse. This role does not work directly with victims of violence and abuse but plays a key role in coordinating the work of partners to protect victims.

The Community Safety Service works to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour through community collaboration, neighbourhood problem solving and multi-agency working. Specific areas covered by the team include reducing Violence against Women and Girls, tackling Hate Crime, reducing knife crime and violence, managing adult offenders, countering extremism and preventing radicalisation. We are a supportive, friendly and busy team covering a diverse range of policy areas and fulfilling a crucial role in both Wandsworth and Richmond.

If you think you have the necessary drive, skills and experience to succeed in this role and to make a positive contribution to the delivery of our dynamic service and safety of our communities then we would like to hear from you. For an informal discussion please contact Albina Hiorns, VAWG Manager, on 07903401526 .

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils

Location – the post holder will be expected to work flexibly across two locations (Wandsworth Town Hall and Richmond Civic Centre).

At Richmond and Wandsworth Councils, we care more about how you work and what you achieve, rather than where you work on any given day. The difference you can make to our local communities is what really matters most to us, service delivery must always come first. We have carefully considered agile ways of working to provide the best experience for residents, stakeholders and our staff. Our agile working strategy actively supports and encourages a dynamic work environment and daily working experience. Agile working helps put the needs of our staff at the centre of everything we do, so if specific flexible working arrangements helps you with this, feel free to let us know.

Your wellbeing and the flexible way in which you can work is and will remain a key priority for Richmond and Wandsworth Councils. We want you to thrive and feel empowered in your work!

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working including, working from home, compressed or part-time hours, term time only, job shares and other arrangements. Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore. We also offer a generous holiday allowance of 39 paid days (pro rata) including bank holidays and a wide range of learning and development opportunities.

In addition, we offer a comprehensive range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts with many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date:  29^th May 2022

Shortlisting Date: 31^st May 2022

Interview Date: 6^rd 13^th June 2022      

Useful Information:

The shortlisting for this role is anonymised.

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Please note that the advertised dates for interviews may change due to the current Covid-19 situation. If they do, we will let you know as soon as possible.

Your health and wellbeing is our top priority. Should you become unwell due to Covid-19 during the recruitment process we would very much appreciate receiving an update from you as soon as possible.

We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Important Information:

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All internal applicants for this secondment must seek permission from their current line manager before applying. Failure to do so may result in the secondment not being authorised.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils