Vacancies

Are you looking for a great way to give something to your community? Safe Steps is an Essex domestic abuse support organisation for adults, young people and children.

Who we are

Safe Steps, established in 2018, is a forward-thinking charity that works with and for all survivors of domestic abuse, across Southend-on-Sea and in the wider Essex area. Each year we support approx. 5000 people through our helpline, community support services, specialist children’s services and safe accommodation.

The role:

We are seeking to recruit committed people to become Trustees, with a passion for our cause, to our Board. Playing a vital role in the governance of the charity to ensure we are in good financial health, meeting our intended aims and objectives, allocate resources and generally hold ourselves and the organisation accountable.

As well as growing the size of our Board, we want to build a diverse trustee board; one that informs better decision making, improves the quality of our work and makes meaningful impact on improving the lives of individuals impacted by domestic abuse.

It is not necessary to have had previous trustee or board experience. We are looking for people who have something to offer in the following areas.

Person specification – essential skills:

• A commitment to the organisation and a passion for the mission
• Knowledge and understanding of domestic abuse and its impact
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
• Strategic vision
• Good, independent, balanced judgement
• Good communication
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of being a trustee.

In addition, some specific expertise in one or more of the following areas would be desirable:

• Business/commercial/financial
• Human Resources (HR)
• Marketing/communications
• Professional knowledge of VAWG/policing/criminal justice
• Commissioning/Local Authority contract management
• Understanding of the charity/voluntary sector
• Lived experience of domestic abuse.

Time Commitment:

• Average 4hrs a month to include bi-monthly meetings, AGM, annual away day
• Can commit to a minimum of 12-18 months
• Willing to attend ad-hoc fundraising or special events.

We are seeking to further expand our team of frontline helpline advisors to support survivors of domestic abuse in Essex.

You will be on the frontline of a dynamic confidential helpline providing support, help, advice by phone, email, text and online, assessing and processing referrals ensuring the flow and accuracy of information meets the standards set.   You will have experience of accurate note taking and working with a range of agencies, together with some knowledge and understanding of domestic abuse and the impact it has on victims and their families.

You will provide a high-quality first point of contact for all victims of domestic abuse, ensuring that they are referred onto appropriate services.  You will identify and assess the risks to and needs of victims and their families providing emotional and practical support and information in relation to legal options, safeguarding, housing, health and finance.

This role is suitable for individuals with experience of helpline work either as a volunteer or a paid worker / or advice and support work with children, vulnerable adults and/or families. Experience working with victims of domestic abuse or in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults would be advantageous but we will consider applicants with transferable skills keen to start a career in the violence and vulnerabilities sector.

Full training and support to achieve accredited qualification after 6-month probationary period.  Hybrid office/home working is available.

This post will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and open to women only. Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR), Schedule 9 (Work; Exceptions), Part 1 (Occupational Requirements) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.