Introduction to TDS
TDS is a not-for-profit organisation with a clear social purpose: to raise standards in the private rented sector. Established to create a fairer and more professional rental market by protecting deposits and resolving deposit disputes, TDS has since expanded its mission. Today, we invest in a range of additional services and initiatives that further our commitment to improving the sector.
Key initiatives relevant to this role include:
- Developing an influential research programme to ensure that laws and regulations are informed by robust evidence.
- Funding a range of projects and organisations through our two independent charities.
- Leveraging our direct communication channels with millions of tenants, landlords, and letting agents to educate and inform all parties.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Key initiatives relevant to this role include:
- Developing an influential research programme to ensure that laws and regulations are informed by robust evidence.
- Funding a range of projects and organisations through our two independent charities.
- Leveraging our direct communication channels with millions of tenants, landlords, and letting agents to educate and inform all parties.
Introduction to the Role
We are looking for a Research and Policy Officer (Maternity Cover) to join our expanding Policy and Research department, which also oversees the TDS Charitable Foundation. This is a pivotal role supporting our mission to improve standards in the private rented sector through impactful research, thought leadership, and policy engagement.
The successful candidate will play a key part in delivering our research programme, including overseeing flagship projects like the Voice of the Tenant and Voice of the Landlord surveys, and producing high-quality qualitative and quantitative research.
You will also support the smooth running of the Charitable Foundation’s grant-making and governance activities and contribute to our work influencing policy and practice across the UK’s private rented sector.
This is a great opportunity for someone passionate about housing, with a solid grounding in research and an interest in policy, to join a values-driven organisation delivering real-world impact.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Research
1. Collaborate with external research contractors to deliver the regular ‘Voice of the Tenant’ and ‘Voice of the Landlord’ Survey.
2. Ensure the research findings are widely disseminated through different channels, including events, publications, briefings and digital content.
3. Help identify research gaps and contribute to the development execution of new research projects or commissioning of external research.
4. Conduct proactive desk-based research to identify emerging trends, new policy developments, and partnership opportunities relevant to the Foundation and the sector.
5. Undertake in-house research activities, such as literature reviews, focus groups, stakeholder interviews, where required.
6. Contribute to the drafting and production of high-quality research reports and briefings, ensuring clarity, accessibility, and relevance for policy and practice audiences.
Policy
7. Monitor and analyse relevant legislative and regulatory developments, consultations, and debates, identifying implications for the sector and TDS’s work.
8. Support the development of TDS’s policy positions by preparing briefings, drafting responses to consultations, and summarising evidence from research.
9. Help communicate TDS’s policy insights and positions clearly and effectively to internal stakeholders, partners, and decision-makers.
Charity co-ordination
10. Act as a key point of contact for grant-funded projects, supporting projects to share progress and impact, and identify any support needs.
11. Help to Coordinate the TDS Charitable Foundation’s quarterly Board of Trustee meetings, including preparing board papers, taking minutes, and following up on actions.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential characteristics
1. Qualifications and experience
Essential:
- Educated to degree level in a relevant subject.
- At least 3 years’ experience in research, social policy or similar role (or equivalent post-graduate study).
- Knowledge of research design
- Proven track record of producing content to communicate to different audiences.
- Experience of building relationships with external stakeholders.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of the housing sector or charitable work.
2. Job Knowledge
Must be able to:
- Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Show an ability to build relationships with stakeholders.
- Demonstrate organisational skills to help coordinate multiple projects.
- Utilise strong IT skills including sound knowledge of MS Office.
- Prove ability to write content for different audiences.
3. Communication
Must be able to:
- Work as part of a team;
- Have good interpersonal skills, communicating effectively with colleagues, funded projects and other stakeholders.
4. Equal Opportunities
- Must be able to demonstrate a commitment to equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion.
5. Required behaviour and attitude
- Applicants must be able to:
- demonstrate an affinity for customer excellence
- recognise the importance of fairness in all of our work
- demonstrate how they are making a difference in the work that they do
- is able to articulate the importance of teamwork
- are committed to excellence in all that we do;
- help create a great place to work.
TDS offers a plethora of benefits inclusive of:
- 33 days holiday inc bank holidays
- BUPA Private healthcare
- BUPA Wellbeing cash plan
- Pension Scheme
- Additional day off for your birthday
- Plus many more!
Hours of the role
35 hours per week. Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letting outlining how your skills and experience match the person specification.
TDS is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in our workforce and to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers.
Registered Charity
101 - 500
Help tenants, landlords, and agents deal with deposit protection and dispute resolution as quickly and easily as possible.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
We have an exciting opportunity for an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) to join the Domestic Abuse Specialist Service. They will be supporting survivors of domestic abuse in partnership with the Sussex High Harm Perpetrator Programme. This role is full time working 37.5 hours per week on a fixed term contract until 31st March 2026. The role is offered on a hybrid basis, working between home, our office in Brighton, and community locations throughout East Sussex and Brighton & Hove.
Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it?
Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on trauma-informed support and care?
If yes, then we'd love to hear from you…
What we offer:
At Victim Support we believe in attracting & retaining the best people and offer a competitive rewards & benefits package including:
* Flexible working options including hybrid working
* 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 33 days plus Bank Holidays
* An extra day off for your birthday & options to buy or sell annual leave
* Pension with 5% employer contribution
* Enhanced sick pay allowances, maternity & paternity payments
* High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment & leisure discounts
* Access to our financial wellbeing hub & salary deducted finance
* Employee assistance programme & wellbeing support
* Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes
* Cycle to work scheme & season ticket loans
* Ongoing training & support with opportunities for career development & progression
About the role:
This hybrid role includes a combination of home, office and community-based working. You will meet regularly with clients at safe locations of their choosing. There will be travel requirements across East Sussex and Brighton & Hove.
As an IDVA you will:
- Empower survivors, supporting them to identify features and dynamics of domestic abuse
- Work with clients referred to the DASS by the High Harm Perpetrator Programme, holding a caseload of varying complexity and prioritising high risk cases for support.
- Conduct comprehensive needs and risk assessments
- Provide individualized safety and support plans, advocacy, practical support and information
- Participate in the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC), acting as the voice of the survivor and delivering on actions agreed
- Use a person-centred, survivor-focused approach, being mindful of the effects of trauma and additional barriers to access survivors of domestic abuse may experience
- Attend the monthly High Harm Panel and other mandatory conferences (including contributing to the Multi-Agency Tasking and Coordination process where applicable), representing the voice of the survivor and sharing relevant information with key agencies to reduce risk and increase safety
- Assist in delivering training, and provide consultancy and advice to other agencies as required
You will need
- An understanding of the issues faced by survivors experiencing domestic abuse
- A good understanding of risk assessment, safety planning & risk management for survivors of domestic abuse
- An understanding of safeguarding issues & the legal responsibilities surrounding these
- Experience of delivering services to survivors of domestic abuse and/or other vulnerable people
- Experience of working within a multi-agency and legislative framework, including building relationships with statutory and voluntary service providers
- Experience of managing a complex caseload, prioritising work and dealing with competing demands demonstrating an organised and methodical approach to work
- Ability to deliver indvidualised safety and support plans, demonstrating sufficient knowledge of risk reduction regarding harmful practices and modern slavery
- Ability to deliver training sessions to professional agencies
- Understanding and knowledge of and active commitment to promoting equal opportunities and diversity
- Ability to self-reflect, identify own welfare needs, and put in place effective self-care strategies
- Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.
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About Us:
Victim Support (VS) is an independent charity providing a range of specialist services to people who have been affected by crime across England and Wales. We work towards a world where there are fewer victims but who have stronger rights, better support and a real influence in the Criminal Justice System. Everyone at VS is driven by our Vision Ambitions and Values to play their part in making a difference for those who experience crime and traumatic events. Working for VS gives you the opportunity to play a key role in a national charity providing high quality services to victims and witnesses and being a vital force for change.
Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.
Victim Support strives to represent the diverse communities we serve and are passionate about creating an environment where all staff and volunteers feel respected and heard. Being a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture is integral to us being able to meet our aim of ensuring that anyone who is a victim of crime gets the support they need.
- As part of our commitment to the Race at Work Charter we particularly welcome applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. VS is also a Disability Confident Employer and we provide a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates that are disabled and meet all essential criteria for a role.
If you have a disability, a learning difficulty such as dyslexia or a medical condition which you believe may affect your performance during any aspect of our selection process, we'll be happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to perform at your best.
How to apply:
To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.
We look forward to hearing from you.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date.
If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.
