Job Description Template s8

Job description:

JOB TITLE  Independent Domestic Violence Adviser (IDVA)

MAIN PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE JOB

• To provide a high-quality and pro-active front-line service to victims of domestic abuse; delivering a pathway of care focusing on safety and protection to those at highest risk of domestic homicide. • Initiate, develop, maintain and monitor multi-agency links through procedures and protocols to keep safety central to all services for victims of domestic abuse. • To work within a multi-agency framework consisting of the Multi-agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC) and local partnership responses to domestic abuse. Supporting and participating in the local MARAC and Specialist Domestic Violence Courts (SDVC) • The work of the IDVA is distinct in that it assesses the risk a client is in and delivers a service appropriate to the level of risk, offering a premium service to those at high risk. • IDVAs work within a multi-agency setting to ensure all agencies do their part and co- ordinate their work to keep people safe. • IDVAs work with survivors and other agencies and monitor the care and support pathways, with a client-centred and individualised approach.  The post-holder will be community based, with families who have moved out of the refuge, women and men who make contact via the Southern Domestic Abuse Service’s Helpline or are referred from other agencies.  The post-holder will work to empower and support all victims and survivors of domestic abuse to make positive choices.

POSITION IN ORGANISATION

Reports To: Service Manager Senior IDVA Responsible For: N/A Budget Responsibilities: N/A Hours: 37 hours per week Location: SDAS’s IDVA Service currently covers East Hampshire, Fareham, Gosport and Havant. The post-holder may be based at more than one site.

DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Identify and assess the risks and needs of domestic abuse victims using an evidence- based risk identification checklist.

2. Focus on and prioritise high-risk cases and provide a pro-active, short to medium term crisis intervention service through individual safety planning and personal support.

3. Work with high risk victims of domestic abuse to help them access services to keep them and their children safe.

1 4. Advocate for high risk victims with agencies who can help to address the domestic abuse by:

a. Understanding the role of all relevant statutory and non-statutory services available to domestic abuse victims and how your role fits into them.

b. Providing advocacy, emotional and practical support and information to victims including in relation to legal options, housing, health and finance.

c. Working directly with all key agency partners to address the safety of high risk victims and ensuring that their safety plans are coordinated particularly through the MARAC.

5. Manage a case load ensuring each client receives the appropriate service individual to their needs. Providing short to medium term support, focusing on safety planning, practical safety measures and the use of civil and criminal justice systems in order to increase protection and support the transition of women/men and children from the violent situation into safe and independent living

6. Support the empowerment of the client and assist them in recognising the features and dynamics of domestic abuse present in their situation, and help them regain control of their lives.

7. Understand multi-agency partnership structures and work within a multi agency setting which will include participation at the MARAC. You will contribute interventions and help design a plan to protect victims and any children, while maintaining an independent role on behalf of your client, keeping their safety as central to any response.

8. In accordance with SDAS case management policy: be proactive with your line manager in carrying out periodic case reviews based on a review of risk and abuse which: a. Feeds back into action planning to further progress, signpost or close cases and; b. Provides feedback to your clients/agencies.

9. Help maintain accurate and confidential case management records and databases and contribute to monitoring information for the service.

10.Comply with data protection legislation, confidentiality and information sharing policy and procedures and all legislation connected to your work.

11.Support colleagues and partner agencies, through awareness raising and institutional advocacy, in order to provide the best possible service for victims of domestic abuse. Respect and value the diversity of the community in which the services works in, and recognise the needs and concerns of a diverse range of survivors ensuring the service is accessible to all.

2 12.Remain up-to-date and compliant with all organisational procedures policies and professional codes of conduct and uphold standards of best practice.

13.Support clients through the Criminal Justice and MARAC systems, explaining the procedures and their role and rights within those forums. Explain housing, civil and criminal legal options to clients, and support/ empower them through the process. 14.To work as part of the SDAS staff team providing an expert service dedicated to those exposed to domestic violence, and their children. This includes responsibility for providing advocacy, information, emotional and practical support with a responsibility for maintaining a focus on keeping victims and their children safe. 15.Respond to new referrals within 24 hours. Managing a caseload; focusing on high and extreme risk victims to provide a proactive, short to medium term service based on the Safe Lives care pathway. 16.Risk assess and safety-plan with service users and deliver service in keeping with the result. 17.To organise and facilitate group working, drop in and support group services for clients. Note and feed-back to other agencies any consistent difficulties clients are having accessing their service. 18.Develop individual support plan to meet individual risks and support needs that client’s face, regularly review cases ensuring that all agencies are meeting the needs of clients. Ensure effective liaison with agencies regarding case management. 19.Work within a strict framework of confidentiality and safeguarding. Understand the legal framework relating to the protection of children including the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board policies and procedures and the practical implications of this are understood. 20.Maintain and update records of all cases, ensuring that data capture and analysis is effective and is utilised for individual cases and for service development purposes. Liaise with partners to ensure across the board data capture where this is relevant. 21.Provide direct support to Police, primary care services, housing departments and social services in the provision and co-ordination of support developing strong relationships with these and other partners to improve the outcomes for clients. 22.To co-ordinate awareness-raising campaigns of domestic abuse issues locally in liaison with local multi agency partnerships, and to participate in training events. 23.To participate in domestic abuse forums, one-stop shops and other multi-agency/ co- location needs as required. 24.To work within the terms of the MARAC and Court Protocols as required.

25.Remain up to date and compliant with all organisational policies and procedures and professional codes of conduct in order to uphold standards of best practice. 26.To engage positively with the clinical supervision process. 27.To undertake appropriate supervision and professional training as required.

28.To remain up to date on all legal and practice issues relating to the role.

29.To ensure that all records are kept securely and in line with Data Protection Act and Staying Put.

30.To adhere to SDAS’s Confidentiality Policy. 3 31.To attend MARAC’s and SDVC’s.

32.To develop protocols and effective referral procedures between the IDVA service and other services (within and outside the organisation) including the MARAC.

33.To ensure that the longer term or additional needs of the client and any children are addressed via referral to or joint working arrangements with services internal/external to the organisation.

34.To ensure that role of IDVA’s are kept central to multi-agency work.

35.To support your line manager in implementing and coordinating systems for case management and to ensure that those systems work effectively.

36.To keep written records and statistical information in order to meet the data requirements of the organisation and the IDVA Service.

37.To ensure accurate and complete records are kept of work with clients.

38.To take responsibility for the continuing professional development of self.

39.To participate in regular support, supervision, reviews and appraisal with line manager.

40.To support the development of professional practice standards within the service.

41.To promote the work of the organisation and the IDVA Service.

42.To keep abreast of developments in law, policy and Government initiatives in addressing domestic abuse and communicate these within the staff team.

43.To attend meetings, provide reports etc, as and when requested by line manager.

44.To carry out other such duties as appropriate to the scope and grade of the post, as may be requested from time to time.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES  To participate in fundraising activities on behalf of SDAS  Undertaking administrative and financial tasks and maintaining full records and receipts for all activities. This will include assisting clients in completing applications for housing, legal support and benefits.  To publicise the support available to women and children at risk of domestic abuse  To record and maintain up to date statistics of enquiries and referrals.  Monitoring and evaluation of project.  To attend Management Committee meetings if required.  To work with volunteers  To establish effective working relationships with colleagues in other services including education, Social Services, the local authority, police and voluntary agencies, assisting to increase their understanding of domestic violence issues taking and making referrals and acting in an advocacy role as necessary.  Participating as a member of the project team, including regular attendance at team and other meetings, supervision and appraisal sessions, training and other events as may be required  To be available to respond to emergencies outside office hours on a rota basis  Ensuring the confidentiality of client information is maintained, in accordance with Southern 4 Domestic Abuse Service’s Confidentiality Policy  Assisting with providing cover for absent colleagues during periods of sickness, holidays etc, as requested by the CEO and/or Service Manager.  To establish and maintain links with statutory and voluntary agencies in order to promote and support the welfare of families and children who have experienced domestic abuse.

Person Specification IDVA

Criteria E E = Essential or D = Desirable D Skills and The ability to build rapport quickly with women, children and men E Abilities participating in the service.

An understanding of and an empathy with the needs E and experiences of women, children and men who have experienced domestic violence.

The ability to work constructively with the non violent E parent/guardian and their children in order to foster their relationships.

A commitment to the empowerment of all victims and survivors of E domestic abuse.

A commitment to equal opportunities. E

The ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of agencies. D

Organisational skills and the ability to prioritise work on a daily E basis.

The ability to work as part of a team and on one’s own initiative. E

Numeric and literacy skills to undertake administrative tasks. E

Computer Literacy. E

Ability to work flexibly and some unsocial hours. E

The ability to facilitate groups. E

The ability to develop and promote projects in the community. E

The ability to manage your own caseload. E

5 Hold a CAADA IDVA training certificate, or a relevant degree, or E demonstrable equivalent experience, or a vocational qualification, or be willing to undertake relevant study?

Have excellent communication, negotiation and advisory skills, both E written and verbal when interacting with a range of agencies and individuals. Have strong crisis management skills and the ability to deal with E stressful and difficult situations.

Experience of providing support to vulnerable people under stress. E

Experience of advocating for vulnerable people. E

Experience of developing new services for victims and survivors of D Experience domestic abuse.

Working within a multi-agency and legislative framework. D

Knowledge An understanding and awareness of the needs of women, men and E children of all ages who have experienced domestic violence.

Have theoretical, practical and procedural knowledge of civil and E criminal justice remedies for victims of domestic abuse and their children.

Understand child protection issues, and the legal responsibilities E surrounding these issues.

Understand the principles of risk assessment, safety planning and E risk management for victims of domestic abuse and their children.

Understand the remits and resources of relevant statutory bodies D and voluntary agencies.

Understand and be committed to equal opportunities and diversity E issues in policy and practice.

An understanding of and a commitment to the principles of D Women’s Aid.

An understanding of the complexities of partnership working and a E commitment to partnership working.

An understanding of safe working practices while working in client’s E homes.

An understanding and knowledge of child protection and E safeguarding and the ability to work within national, local and organisational guidelines.

An understanding of and ability to practice confidentiality. E

6 Awareness of the legal and housing issues affecting families D escaping domestic violence.

Knowledge of the benefits system. D

A clean driving licence and car owner. E

Qualifications IDVA qualification (CAADA IDVA/Women’s Aid DAPA) D

Personal Qualities Ensuring Equal Opportunity E Emotional Intelligence E Commitment to user-focused services E Commitment to self development E Good standards of hygiene and personal presentation E Be compassionate and empathetic with your client’s situation. E Show initiative and be proactive when managing your case load E and interacting with your clients and agencies you’re working with. Act with integrity and respect when working with all clients, E agencies and individuals. Be optimistic about the possibility of personal growth and change. E Personal Motivate individuals and agencies to move through courses of Attributes and action and decision making processes. E Other Awareness of professional boundaries E requirements Other Requirements The post is based in the local community

The post is a full time job

There is a requirement for early morning/evening work in this job

There is a requirement for weekend work in this job

To be available to participate in the on-call rota for the out of hours service.

April 2015