Health Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Health Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA)

Job Title:Health IDVA

Reports to: FCWA Service Manager

Contract:Fixed Term to March 2017(Continuation subject to funding)

Salary:£21,000 - £23,000

Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week flexible in order to meet the needs of the service

Work Location: Blackpool Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, WhinneyHeys Road, Blackpool, FY3 8NR

Fylde Coast Women’s Aid is looking to recruit a Health IDVA to join their IDVA team. This post will be predominately based at the Blackpool Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (BTHFT), hospital site but will also have access to work from FCWA offices.

As ahealthIDVA you will provide a domestic violence service to victims who have been identified via the hospital and NHS employees. Initially the role will include guiding and supporting health professionals at the hospital on the identification and referral route in the service. Your role will also focus on embedding routine enquiry in domestic abuse by working alongside health professionals; and from there in you will directly support any victims who are identified. You will undertake and regularly review risk assessments, develop safety and support plans and assist victims with signposting into other relevant support services. The role will also have a key relationship with the BTHFT safeguarding team, who will host the service. You will work in line with Safelives Leading Lights guidance.

You will have strong communication skills and experience of partnership working, as the role will involve maintaining effective multi-agency relationships, attending MARAC and case conferences and adhering to statutory protocols and procedures. You will work to ensure safety, confidentiality and riskminimisation for victims of domestic abuse, supporting and enabling them to access services which maximise their safety and which support their emotional, physical, intellectual and social wellbeing.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

To operate within FCWA’s frameworks adhering to the policies and procedures of the organisation.
To provide guidance and training about our service tohealth professionals in order for them to identify and refer potential high risks victims.
To establish and hold a caseload of victims who are experiencing domestic violenceand abuse and provide high-quality telephone and face to face crisis intervention, information and advocacy, support, risk management and safety planning, criminal and civil remedies, housing, health, welfare rights, and children’s legislation.
To establish a key working relationship with the safeguarding team BTHFT. To develop effective working relationships withChildren’s Social Care, Adult Social Care, PPU, universal services and other agencies to ensure the safeguarding of children of domestic violence victims. This includes attendance at multi-agency conferences in respect of adultsand childrendeemed to be at risk; to support FCWA’s IDVA teamin ensuring that recording and monitoring systems are kept up to date and secure. This will includerecording and monitoringservice outcomes, and keeping managers informed of any issues and successes.
Gather and formulate pre agreed data, with regard to cases accessing the service

A = Application Form I = Interview

KNOWLEDGE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

1. / Be IDVA qualified or have at least 2 years case management experience , for example in criminal justice work, health, health and social care or other relevant area / A
2. / Knowledge of domestic violence its impact on victims and their children (physical, emotional, financial and sexual, with knowledge of ‘ honour- based violence’ , forced marriage and Female Genital Mutilation) / A/I
3. / Knowledge of perpetrators abusive behaviours within relationships, including family relationships, male victims and same sex relationships. / A/I
4. / Thorough knowledge of safeguarding practice, procedures and legislation / A/I
5. / Good understanding of the criminal justice system and civil options available to domestic violence and abuse victims. / A/I

EXPERIENCE:

6. / At least twoyears’ experience of managing a caseload and of supporting service users / A
7. / Experience of advocacy work to include undertaking risk and needs assessment, safety and support planning, particularly with clients with complex/multiple needs / A/I
8. / Experience of partnership working and of maintaining excellent working relationships with a range of stakeholders. / A/I

SKILLS:

9. / Excellent listening and communication skills with a wide range of people of all ages and background / A/I
10. / Ability to work in partnership, network, influence, problem solve, overcome barriers and apply solution focused approaches / A/I
11. / The ability to work well within a team and under own initiative and of maintaining professional boundaries with clients. / A/I
12. / A flexible, proactive approach and a good ability to prioritise work / A/I
13. / Good time & project management skills and the ability to work effectively under pressure and to deadlines / A/l
14. / Ability to deliver presentations and deliver training relevant to the role / I

GENERAL:

15. / A good understanding of the importance of confidentiality and safeguarding / A/I
16. / Willingness to carry out the policies and procedures of FCWA, and to work to agreed guidelines and codes of conduct / A/I
17. / Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook software / A/I
18. / Ability to work from both health and community?related setting and hold a clean driving license in order to travel if necessary. / A/I

Additional information to applicants:

This post will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure and clearance

This vacancy is open to females only (Exempt under the Equality Act 2010, pursuant to schedule 9, Part 1)

Must hold a full UK driving license and have access to vehicle

For informal discussion contact Tina Hibbard, Service Manager, Fylde Coast Women’s Aid 01253 752014

Job applications are available by downloading them directly from our website at

Closing date for applications is 5pm Thursday 16th June 2016

Please return completed application forms to or by post addressed

The Service Manager, FCWA, PO Box 33, Blackpool FY3 9GZ.