INDEPENDENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVISER

JOB DESCRIPTION

Hours of Work:37 hours per week (9 months maternity cover)

Area:Stafford

A full clean driving licence and access to a vehicle are also essential.

The position is accountable to Staffordshire Women’s Aid Board of Trustees, the Chief Executive and a Line Manager.

DUTIES OF THE POST

Core Duties:

  • To work as part of the Staffordshire Women's Aid team in providing information, support, advice, refuge and help with resettlement for women and their children experiencing or escaping domestic abuse.
  • To work alongside other members of staff and volunteers in meeting the needs of service users.
  • To support the aims and principles of Staffordshire Women's Aid in empowering and supporting women and their children who have experienced domestic abuse to make their own decisions and take control of their lives.
  • Take all possible steps to ensure the safety and confidentiality of the users, staff, volunteers and management of Staffordshire Women's Aid.

Specific IDVA Duties

  • To work as part of the SDVC process by providing a pro-active service and advice to victims of DV aimed to keep them and theirchildren safe.
  • Attend the Specialist Domestic Violence Court as required.
  • Attend the Crown and Magistrates courts as appropriate.
  • Be part of a multi-agency approach to safety, this may include spending time in local Police stations’ partnership offices.
  • Work with individual service users to agree a suitable planned support package aimed to increase their safety and confidence.
  • Provide housing, civil, welfare and criminal legal options to service users.
  • Carry out thorough risk assessments, and develop individual support plans to meet individual risks client faces
  • Understand the legal framework relating to the protection of children includingthe policy and procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board.
  • Support clients through the Criminal Justice System, explaining the procedures and theirrole and rights within that system.
  • Help service users develop own support network.
  • Refer on and arrange meetings with other agencies/services as necessary, forinstance, solicitors, benefit agency, etc.
  • Refer into SWA’s other services as appropriate.
  • Maintain and update records of all cases, and submit monitoring as required.
  • Follow procedures and protocols with other services so that the safety of theclients is kept central to any process.
  • Where appropriate, keep other relevant agencies informed about important changes in client’ssituation
  • Participate in MARAC framework, refer Very High Risk clients to, attend and participate inmeetings, follow-up on actions agreed in MARAC.
  • Refer regular difficulties clients are having to manager and contribute to effortsto improve procedures and services.
  • Note and feed back to other agencies any consistent difficulties clients arehaving accessing their service.
  • Deal with correspondence, produce written reports when required and be self-servicing.
  • Attend external meetings as required.
  • Attend appropriate training as required.
  • Attend regular supervision sessions.
  • When required, to help support the Staffordshire Women's Aid’s 24-hour Helpline.
  • Give support during busy periods or staff shortages to other Workers when necessary.
  • Support and implement all policies and decisions of Staffordshire Women's Aid.
  • Carry out any other duties that may vary from time to time, and may reasonably be required within the general level of responsibilities of the post.

Please note:

This job description may be subject to review and amendment. The post holder will be expected to be flexible in her development of the job and will participate fully, where possible, in all discussions about the nature of her work and the tasks involved.

INDEPENDENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVISER

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Ideally, you will have achieved an IDVA qualification such as CAADA or DAPA

The following skills, knowledge and attitudes are essential for the post:

  • Knowledge of and agreement with the vision, mission, aims and values of Staffordshire Women's Aid.
  • The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Understanding of and commitment to the reduction and prevention of Violence against Women and Girls.
  • Knowledge/understanding of risk assessment, in particular in regard to the CAADA/DASH.
  • Understanding of and engagement with the MARAC.
  • Knowledge of both criminal and civil law in relation to Domestic Violence.
  • Understanding/experience of the specialist Domestic Violence Court process.
  • Good communication skills.
  • A non-judgemental attitude.
  • Good literacy and numeracy skills.
  • Good organisational skills.
  • Understanding of anti-discriminatory working principles and practices, and of the importance of an ethos of diversity.
  • Understanding of the need for professional boundaries in support work.
  • Understanding of the need for confidentiality and security of the refuge and outreach services for users, staff and volunteers.
  • Good knowledge of administrative tasks and record keeping.
  • The ability to work under pressure and, sometimes, in stressful situations.
  • Knowledge and understanding of issues around substance misuse and mental health and how they relate to domestic and sexual violence.
  • Knowledge and experience of the Housing Act and other legislation in connection with domestic violence.
  • Knowledge of the Welfare Benefits System.
  • Knowledge and experience of issues for children who have lived with domestic violence and the links to Safeguarding.
  • Ability to assess needs.
  • Good IT skills.
  • Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, when necessary.
  • A full driving licence and use of a car with appropriate insurance cover.

The following skills, knowledge and attitudes are desirable for the post:

  • Experience of working with voluntary organisations.
  • Negotiation and presentation skills.
  • A sense of humour.

19-Oct-18

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