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PS Job Description (JD)
PS Band: 4
Directorate: Probation Service
Job Description: Domestic Abuse Safety Officer
Document Ref.
PS JES 0095 Domestic Abuse Safety Officer
Document Type
Management
Version
3.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
17 March 2026
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Job Evaluation Assurance and Support
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
PS JES 0095 Domestic Abuse Safety Officer v3.0
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PS Job Description
Job Title
Domestic Abuse Safety Officer (DASO)
Directorate
Probation Service
Band
4
Overview of the
Working within regional Interventions Teams, the postholder will
job
support clients who meet the DASO Service eligibility criteria.
Clients are victims and/or current partners of domestic abuse
perpetrators required to attend offending behaviour interventions.
The role holder will use their knowledge of domestic abuse, wider
criminal justice system and organisations to provide bespoke
support to clients, advocating client safety and managing their
risk of harm.
Summary
The postholder will take a trauma-informed approach and work in
accordance with the DASO manual, relevant HMPPS policies and
legislation to contribute to risk assessment and client safety
planning, as well as acting as a point of contact for the Probation
Service for both victims of domestic abuse and people who may
be at risk of domestic abuse.
Using knowledge and expertise of domestic abuse, a DASO will
prioritise based on risk of harm and promote the safety of clients
and their children by identifying potential risks and appropriate
strategies to protect them from harm, which could be physical,
psychological, emotional or financial.
DASOs will advocate for protection of the victims of domestic
abuse with whom they come into contact by presenting the victim
perspective to staff within the Probation Service and in other
agencies, providing domestic abuse expertise and professional
advice on domestic abuse issues.
Role holders will work collaboratively to support the Probation
Service in being responsive to recognising risks by escalating
imminent risk concerns related to their clients, contributing to the
risk management of the Person on Probation on behalf of their
clients.
The post holder will work within the aims and values of the
Probation Service and HMPPS. This includes demonstrating a
commitment to equality and inclusion in line with relevant policies
and procedures.
Flexible working hours may be required i.e. evening and
weekends, where necessary, to be flexible as to when
partners/victims can meet/be contacted.
PS JES 0095 Domestic Abuse Safety Officer v3.0
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Responsibilities, The job holder will be required to carry out the following
Activities &
responsibilities, activities and duties:
Duties
• Develop strong professional relationships with clients to
support and empower clients to navigate formal and legal
processes.
• Initiate timely contact with clients and explain the DASO
Service, share the Privacy Notice and seek consent for
engagement with the Service as demonstrated by obtaining a
signed Agreement to Participate form.
• Provide clients with information about the programme that the
person on probation is attending, ensuring compliance with
relevant disclosure guidance.
• Request feedback from clients at regular intervals throughout
the intervention. Manage client’s expectations where needed.
• Carry out safeguarding children and safeguarding adult duties
in accordance with the HMPPS statutory responsibilities and
agency policies.
• Assess the safety of home visiting using available information
on the person on probation (such as Probation assessments
and information from Social Services, the Police, Victim
Support etc).
• Identify and assess the safety risks and needs of the client in
order to promote the safety of clients, children, and other
dependants by working with them to construct and regularly
review a realistic Safety Plan.
• Regularly refer, liaise and signpost to local support
organisations and multi-agency forums, using a completed
DASH risk assessment and/or safety plan as appropriate i.e.,
MARAC, Social Services, Child Protection Conferences,
MAPPA, IOM schemes.
• Timely recording of contacts related to the client, using the
relevant digital database. Maintain accurate case records
within agreed timescales, along with completion of client
reports and emails to Probation Practitioners summarising key
client issues, as required.
• Develop working knowledge of and good relationships with
local networks i.e. specialist police domestic abuse units,
Criminal and Family Courts and support organisations, (for
example housing, local refuges, victim services, counselling) to
enable effective support, signposting and referrals for clients.
• Ensure that any information relating to risks to a client’s safety
is shared promptly (and in a victim sensitive manner) with the
Probation Practitioner, programmes team and other agencies
where relevant, and contribute to the risk management process
for People on Probation whilst adhering to all policies in
respect of the sensitive and confidential information.
• Support the Programme Manager in delivering presentations
and providing information about the DASO service, which
includes supporting with the mentoring of new post holders and
providing awareness sessions to other Probation Practitioners
and professionals from other agencies.
• An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence
through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales)
Welsh
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The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is
at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is
expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of
a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments
may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme
and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.
Behaviours
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Managing a Quality Service
Strengths
We recommend you choose 4 to 8 strengths locally - select from
the list of Civil Service strength definitions on the intranet.
Experience
• Strong knowledge of domestic abuse and related issues.
• Awareness of how domestic abuse impacts on partners and
children.
• Experience of working with people from diverse backgrounds
who have experienced a range of social/personal difficulties,
communicating effectively and sensitively, and working within
a trauma informed way.
• The ability to relate positively and empathetically to victims
and/or those dealing with distressing personal circumstances.
• Enabling individuals to identify factors which affect their
safety, well-being and social inclusion.
• Enabling individuals to identify options for improving their
safety, well-being and social inclusion.
Technical
• Completion of Formal Probation Service DASO training upon
requirements
entry.
Ability
• Good self-management skills and above average ability to
take initiative and problem solve.
• Enabling individuals to identify factors which affect their
safety, well-being and social inclusion.
• Enabling individuals to identify options to improve their safety,
well-being and social inclusion.
• Demonstrate a willingness to ask for assistance or refer a
matter when appropriate.
• Demonstrate an ability to manage vicarious trauma in a pro-
social manner.
• Demonstrate an ability to work at pace in emergency or high-
risk situations.
Minimum
• All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior
Eligibility
to taking up post.
• All external candidates are subject to 6 months’
probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they
have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS.
• All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of
a group or organisation which HMPPS consider to be racist.
PS JES 0095 Domestic Abuse Safety Officer v3.0
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Hours of Work
To be used by the JES Team only
(Unsocial Hours)
Allowances
PS JES 0095 Domestic Abuse Safety Officer v3.0
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