Parenting Support Officer

Hours: 35 hours per week Working pattern: This is an office-based role, working within Phoenix’s core office hours of 9am–5pm, with some evening work required where necessary to meet the needs of service users. A TOIL (Time Off in Lieu) system is in place to ensure that additional hours worked can be reclaimed. Location: Phoenix DAS office (NP13 3AY), with travel as required across the service area. Please note that this is not a hybrid position. Service Overview: This role sits within our specialist domestic abuse service supporting adults, children and families affected by domestic abuse. Phoenix Domestic Abuse Services provides an ‘’All Family Approach’, providing holistic, strengths-based and trauma-informed support to victims, children and, where appropriate and safe, individuals who have used harmful behaviours. The Parenting Support Officer will contribute to this approach by providing specialist parenting support to families affected by domestic abuse. Job Purpose: The Parenting Support Officer will provide structured, trauma-informed, and strengths-based support to parents and carers who have experienced domestic abuse, including those experiencing CAPVA. The postholder will support parents and carers to understand the impact of domestic abuse and other harmful behaviours on parenting, relationships and children’s wellbeing. They will help families develop safer and more positive parenting strategies, strengthen protective factors and support recovery and resilience. The role will include the development and delivery of parenting interventions- this may include group programmes alongside individual support to parents and carers. Where appropriate, and following robust risk assessment and safeguarding decision-making, the postholder may also contribute to work with individuals who have used harmful or abusive behaviours. This work will focus on accountability, increasing understanding of the impact of behaviour on children and family members, and supporting positive behaviour change. The post holder will work alongside our experienced Intervention Team in the delivery of this work. The postholder may also contribute to carefully planned work to strengthen or rebuild parent-child relationships where this is assessed as safe and in the best interests of the child. Safety and the wellbeing of children and adult victims will remain central to all aspects of the role. Key Responsibilities and Duties Parenting Support and Intervention

• Provide individual, strengths-based and trauma-informed support to parents and carers affected by domestic abuse and CAPVA. Work with Phoenix colleagues to ensure management of risk and support plans.
• Complete appropriate assessments to identify parenting strengths, needs, risks and desired outcomes.
• Deliver structured interventions to support parents to understand the impact of domestic abuse on themselves, their children and family relationships.
• Support parents to develop practical strategies for managing conflict, distress and challenging behaviours within the family.
• Promote positive parenting, healthy boundaries, emotional regulation and safe communication.
• Support parents to build confidence, resilience and protective factors.
• Empower parents to develop their own solutions and increase their ability to maintain safe and healthy family relationships.
• Provide support on a voluntary basis, while recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding and risk concerns.
• Ensure that children’s experiences, wishes, feelings, and wellbeing remain central to intervention planning. CAPVA Support
• Provide direct support to parents and carers experiencing Child/Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse. Work with Phoenix colleagues to ensure management of risk and support plans.
• Support parents to understand CAPVA, including the dynamics and impact of abuse within the family.
• Help parents identify patterns of behaviour, triggers and risk factors and develop appropriate safety and risk management strategies.
• Support parents to establish safe and consistent boundaries within the family.
• Work collaboratively with parents to identify strengths, protective factors and practical strategies that promote safer family relationships.
• Liaise with relevant professionals and agencies where additional support or safeguarding intervention is required.
• Ensure that interventions are appropriately risk assessed and reviewed in response to changing circumstances. Parenting Programme of Work
• Working with Team Leaders within Phoenix, develop a programme of work to be completed with parents.
• Topics may include: The impact of trauma and domestic abuse on children and parenting; Attachment and relationships; Understanding children’s behaviour and emotional needs; Positive behaviour management; Boundaries and consistency; Emotional regulation and managing stress; Communication and conflict; Building resilience and protective factors; Rebuilding trust and relationships following harm.
• Evaluate interventions and contribute to monitoring outcomes and demonstrating the impact of the programme Parent-Child Relationships and Family Reconnection
• Contribute to work aimed at strengthening or rebuilding parent-child relationships where this is assessed as safe and appropriate.
• Ensure that any family reconnection or reunification work is carefully planned, risk assessed and child centred.
• Ensure that the safety, wishes, feelings, and wellbeing of children remain the primary consideration.
• Work closely with relevant professionals and agencies to ensure that any plans are consistent with safeguarding arrangements and wider intervention plans.
• Support parents to understand the impact that domestic abuse and harmful behaviours may have had on their children’s relationships and emotional wellbeing. Risk Assessment, Safety Planning and Safeguarding
• Assess and review the needs and risks of parents, children, and families throughout the intervention.
• Develop and review short- and long-term risk management and safety plans.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns involving children and adults.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external professionals to ensure that the safety of children and adult victims remains paramount.
• Share information appropriately in accordance with safeguarding, confidentiality, and information-sharing procedures.
• Attend and contribute to safeguarding meetings, conferences and other multi-agency meetings as required. Partnership Working Develop and maintain effective working relationships with key statutory, voluntary, and community-sector partners. Promote appropriate referral pathways into Phoenix DAS- this will include attending team meetings and training events. Work collaboratively with colleagues and external agencies to ensure families receive coordinated and appropriate support. Develop professional networks and contribute to raising awareness of the service. Provide guidance to professionals regarding parenting, domestic abuse, CAPVA and safety-focused responses where appropriate. Case Management, Monitoring and Reporting Maintain accurate, timely and secure case records in accordance with Phoenix DAS’s GDPR policies and procedures. Ensure case management and monitoring systems are updated. Monitor and record outcomes to demonstrate the impact of interventions. Prepare internal and external reports where required, including reports for safeguarding conferences, team meetings, managers, and partner agencies. Contribute to case reviews, audits, and quality assurance processes. Keep the management team informed of significant issues, emerging risks, successes, and areas for development Professional Development, Team Working, and Training. Participate actively in supervision, case management, reflective practice, and team meetings. Work collaboratively across Phoenix DAS teams and contribute to the wider All Family Approach. Provide guidance, advice, and training to professionals working with victims and families affected by domestic abuse. Support partner agencies to identify domestic abuse and respond appropriately to risk and safeguard concerns. Promote trauma-informed, strength-based, and safety-focused practice. Deliver awareness-raising sessions and presentations to groups and organisations as required. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of domestic abuse research, legislation, policy, guidance, and best practice. Take responsibility for personal and professional development and actively participate in relevant training. Share knowledge and good practice with colleagues where appropriate. Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and nature of the post as may be required. Organisational Responsibilities Protect the safety and security of Phoenix DAS, its service users, staff and premises. Maintain confidentiality and ensure that records and information are handled securely and appropriately. Follow Phoenix DAS safeguarding procedures and contribute appropriately to safeguarding activity. Comply with Phoenix DAS Safeguarding, Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities, Data Protection and other organisational policies and procedures. Promote equality, diversity and inclusion throughout all aspects of the role. Uphold the values and professional standards of Phoenix DAS at all times. Additional Opportunities The Parenting Support Officer will have opportunities to undertake additional hours and contribute to Phoenix DAS income-generation activities. These may include delivering training and awareness-raising sessions for groups, organisations and professional outside of your contracted hours. Review of the Role This job description reflects the duties and responsibilities of the post at the time of publication. It may be reviewed and amended in response to changes in service requirements, legislation, funding arrangements, research, best practice or organisational priorities. The nature of the role means that daily tasks and responsibilities may vary according to the needs of the service and the families being supported. Such reasonable variations will not necessarily require a reconsideration of the grading of the post. Personal Specifications. The successful candidate will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, experience and personal qualities required to provide safe, effective and trauma-informed parenting support to families affected by domestic abuse

Qualifications

Desirable

Relevant professional qualification in parenting, family support, social care, youth work, counselling, education, psychology or another related field or significant relevant experience. Training or qualification relating specifically to CAPVA.

Experience

Essential Experience of working directly with parents, carers, children, young people or families. Experience of supporting people affected by complex or challenging circumstances. Experience of assessing needs and identifying risks. Experience of managing a caseload and maintaining accurate case records. Experience of developing and maintaining professional relationships with other agencies. Experience of working within safeguarding procedures. Experience of providing one-to-one support or structured interventions.

Desirable

Experience working with families affected by domestic abuse. Experience of working with Child/Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse (CAPVA). Experience of delivering parenting support or parenting programmes. Experience of facilitating group work. Experience of working with trauma and its impact on children and families. Experience of supporting the development or maintenance of parent-child relationships following family breakdown or harm. Experience of working with individuals who have used harmful or abusive behaviours. Knowledge Essential Understanding the impact of domestic abuse on emotional, psychological, and physical wellbeing. Knowledge of child protection and adult safeguarding procedures. Understanding the importance of confidentiality, information sharing, and professional boundaries. Understanding of professional boundaries, confidentiality, and appropriate information sharing. Understanding of strengths-based and empowering approaches to supporting families.

Desirable

Knowledge and understanding of CAPVA and the dynamics associated with adolescent-to-parent abuse. Knowledge of attachment and child development. Knowledge of trauma-informed parenting approaches. Knowledge of the Gwent region. Knowledge of restorative approaches and rebuilding relationships following harm. Knowledge of domestic abuse dynamics, including coercive and controlling behaviour. Knowledge of behaviour change and accountability approaches. Knowledge of services and organisations available across Gwent. Knowledge of current domestic abuse research, policy, and best practice. Skills and Abilities Essential Ability to build positive, trusting, and professional relationships with parents, carers, and children. Ability to listen without judgement and respond sensitively to people who may have experienced trauma and abuse. Ability to work independently and use initiative while also working effectively as part of a team. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills are important. Ability to manage and prioritise caseload effectively. Ability to assess and respond appropriately to risk and safeguard concerns. Ability to remain calm and effective when working under pressure. Ability to maintain accurate and confidential records. Ability to build trusting relationships with parents while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. Ability to challenge appropriately and constructively when required. Full driving licence and access to a car for work purposes- and ability and willingness to travel as required across the service area.

Desirable

Ability to confidently deliver presentations and speak to groups. Experience delivering training or awareness-raising sessions. Welsh language skills. Personal Attributes Essential Self-motivated, enthusiastic, and adaptable. Non-judgmental, empathetic, and supportive. Able to maintain professional curiosity and avoid making assumptions about families. Able to listen effectively and respond sensitively to people affected by domestic abuse. Committed to empowering parents and recognising their strengths. Approachable, friendly, and professional. Confident in constructively and appropriately. Resilient and able to manage the emotional demands of working with domestic abuse. Committed to promoting safety, empowerment, autonomy, and positive outcomes for service users. Committed to equality, diversity, inclusion, and anti-discriminatory practice. Committed to trauma-informed and strength-based practice. Ability to reflect on practice and take on board feedback. Key Terms and Conditions For the post of: Parenting Support Officer Employer: Phoenix Domestic Abuse Services Salary: This post currently attracts a salary of £28,896.43 per annum. Contract: Permanent, subject to continued funding. Pension: Contributory pension scheme. Hours of Work: The full-time hours for this post are 35 hours per week. The role is office-based and will generally be worked within Phoenix DAS’s core office hours of 9.00am–5.00pm. Some evening work may be required to meet the needs of service users. Where additional hours are worked, these will be managed through Phoenix DAS’s Time Off in Lieu arrangements or paid as overtime where appropriate and in accordance with organisational policy. Additional Benefits Phoenix DAS offers a range of additional benefits, including: 25 days’ annual leave, pro rata for part-time employees, increasing by one day for each completed year of service up to a maximum of 30 days. Public holidays and discretionary holidays in addition to annual leave. Time off for your birthday. Free healthcare scheme. Free breakfast bar available at Phoenix House. Contributory pension scheme. Additional Information The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check. References will be obtained as part of the recruitment process. Employment will be subject to satisfactory completion of all required pre-employment checks. The postholder will be required to comply with Phoenix DAS policies and procedures, including those relating to safeguarding, confidentiality, health and safety and data protection