We have an exciting opportunity for a Domestic Abuse and Safeguarding Strategic Lead to join our Wellbeing and Support leadership team.

At Stonewater we already recognize the importance of our role in relation to domestic abuse and safeguarding and place significant importance on it as a landlord, an employer, a service provider and an influencer within both the sector and the communities where we work and live. You will have the opportunity to drive that ambition even further forward. It’s a role where you will most certainly make your mark internally and externally and make a tangible difference to the lives of thousands of people further developing and promoting our inclusive and innovative approach to address domestic abuse and safeguarding.

DISCOVER STONEWATER

At Stonewater our vision is for everyone to have the opportunity to have a place that they can call home: their sanctuary. Stonewater is a leading housing provider. We manage around 33,600 homes, serving 75,000 customers across our portfolio of affordable properties for general rent, shared ownership and sale, alongside specialist accommodation, with an ambitious house-building programme.

Stonewater has a long history in delivering specialist domestic abuse services. We are accredited by the DAHA (Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance) and actively champion initiatives to support those experiencing domestic abuse. We provide safe accommodation to some of the most marginalised groups in today’s society, including our LGBTQ+ Safe Space and South Asian Women’s Refuge. This is the fasted growing aspect of wellbeing and support portfolio, we are excited to be introducing our new inclusive service in Brighton in April.

Our team believe in hard work. We value diversity and difference and celebrate each other’s success and are always honest with each other. That feeling that everyone around you is pulling together to get things done, when we work together we are unstoppable – they’re all part of life at Stonewater.

A career at Stonewater is a rewarding one and provides you with the opportunity to bring your individuality and skills to an organisation which embraces change and is open to new ideas. We believe that recruiting and retaining the right people is vital for our success.

We put equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our customers, colleagues, contractors and other partners are central to our success and that we work in a diverse society. We acknowledge not only our legal, but also our moral responsibility to ensure all groups have equality of opportunity.

We also offer you the chance to be part of an organisation rated as ‘One Star in the 2020 Best Companies survey for the second consecutive year, as well as a competitive salary and benefits package.

We’re looking for like-minded people to join our team of over 800 talented colleagues who embody our values of being ethical, ambitious, passionate, agile and commercial, as well as people who want to make a difference and transform people’s lives.

Our promise to you

At Stonewater we believe nothing is impossible. We’re driven by our mission, vision and values and inspire others to always strive to succeed. This passion and determination is what sets us apart. We are proud to be a place where being individuals is embraced and recognised.

So, if you want to make a real difference to people's lives and want to have a stimulating and rewarding career, we would love to hear from you.

For more information, visit our website at www.stonewater.org/careers

The role:

• Ensure delivery of high quality, effective, person centred, safe responses to people effected by safeguarding or domestic abuse issues.
• Drive and champion the strategic development and operational performance of our working in relation to domestic abuse and safeguarding ensure continuous improvement and that we push the boundaries continually delivering an inclusive and person centred response.
• Use data and intelligence, to analyse and inform service delivery and respond to gaps
• Enable Stonewater to continue to be a thought leader and influencer in relation to Domestic Abuse.
• Create and develop relationships with critical partners to provide seamless services, safe practice and excellent customer service with an inclusive reach
• Takes strategic leadership responsibility including shaping and implementing the Domestic Abuse and Safeguarding Strategy
• Provide information and assurances in relation to governance relating to safeguarding and domestic abuse, ensuring continuous learning, audit and accreditation compliance
• Ensure the organisations safeguarding and domestic abuse policies, procedures and practices prevent harm, are up to date and effective at all levels in the organisation
• Support the creation of a positive safeguarding culture where safeguarding and domestic abuse best practice is embedded throughout all of our work
• Work alongside Learning and Development to ensure colleagues are equipped with appropriate skills and resources that empower them to deliver services effectively.
• Work with colleagues in procurement, assets, and legal and compliance teams to ensure Stonewater has robust third party arrangements on safeguarding and domestic abuse.
• Work with colleagues in communications, social media and customer voice to shape our voice around safeguarding and domestic abuse, ensuring awareness raising, inclusivity and impact on our thought leader status around these areas.

The ideal candidate:

• Working in a constantly changing environment, you will champion new and creative ways of working and will lead in coordinating service improvements. You will have a good understanding of and influence research, new developments and best practice in within the domestic abuse and/or safeguarding field
• Ability to challenge traditional approaches to tackling abuse and pilot new ways of working harnessing the talents and resources of survivors and partner agencies.
• Experience of working at a strategic level in domestic abuse and/or safeguarding field gained from either a local authority, health, voluntary sector, specialist agency or police.
• Credibility working with statutory partners on complex issues e.g. serious case reviews, MARAC.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and government guidelines in related fields.
• A natural ability to influence and negotiate, complemented by strong leadership skills.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills based on a clear understanding of domestic abuse and safeguarding issues and how they affect customers and communities
• A commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and demonstrable track record of adopting an inclusive approach to working with people affected by domestic abuse and/or safeguarding.

Appointment to this role will be subject to satisfactory references and possession of a valid Right to Work document.

Our Offer:

At Stonewater we offer excellent benefits which help make us a great place to work!

• A retirement savings plan – up to 7% matched contribution rate
• Life assurance – 3.5x contractual pay
• Career development and progression opportunities
• Holiday starting at 26 days with the option to buy/sell
• Deals and Discounts on shopping, travel, optical etc.
• Healthcare cash plan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Annual Company Day
• Values Award celebration events
• Team building days

And much more…

Stonewater supports equality of opportunities and are dedicated to being a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace. We are a Disability Confident employer.

Are you ready to #DiscoverStonewater?