Job description
JOB TITLE: Up2U Facilitator
Working Hours: 37 per week, 9.30-5.30 Mon-Thur, 9.30-5.00 Fri (evening and weekend work
required)
Salary: £24,600
Workers should be “violence free in their own lives.” Applicants are asked not to put themselves forward for selection if this is not the case.
Introduction
Up2U: Creating Healthy Relationships is an innovative programme developed by Portsmouth City Council for people who use domestically abusive behaviours in their intimate partner relationships. The programme is evidence based and has been developed in consultation with the support of a Quality Assurance Group consisting of representatives from Victim Support Services, Mental Health, Children's Services, Substance Misuse Services and Health. It is based on research and practice successfully used in offender rehabilitation, motivational interviewing and attachment theory.
MAIN PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE JOB
To provide a high-quality and pro-active front-line service to perpetrators of domestic abuse; delivering a pathway of care focussing on change, safety and protection. This will be done by:
· Providing one-to-one services including safety planning and risk assessments.
· Providing one-to-one specialist domestic abuse and offending assessment using specialist validated risk assessment tools.
· Providing one-to-one/group sessions during the Up2U programme.
· Supporting men and women in acknowledging and addressing their unhealthy behaviours.
· Sign-posting parents to services available to support them.
POSITION IN ORGANISATION
Reports To: Up2U Coordinator
Responsible For: N/A
Budget Responsibilities: N/A
Hours: 37 hours per week.
Location: SDAS’s Services currently cover East Hampshire,
Fareham, Gosport, Havant and Portsmouth.
DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. To ensure that the needs of men/women on the Up2U Programme are met. This will be done by:
· To work with Up2U clients while they are on the Up2U programme and tailor the programme to their individual needs
· Providing one-to-one services including safety planning and risk assessments.
· Providing one-to-one sessions during both the assessment period and one-to-one and/or group sessions during the Up2U programme.
· Supporting men and women in acknowledging and addressing their unhealthy behaviours in line with the Up2U programme and Up2U resources.
· Sign-posting parents to services available to support them.
2. To provide realistic information about the Up2U programme and possible outcomes.
3. To deliver the Up2U programme to address the needs of perpetrators and to signpost to other community services as identified.
4. To work to empower and support all those affected by domestic abuse to make positive choices.
5. To ensure that a high standard of information, support and advice is provided.
6. To form and maintain relationships with local specialist domestic abuse services to enable successful referrals of victims and survivors for continuing support, advice and assistance.
7. To initiate, develop, maintain and monitor multi-agency links through procedures and protocols to keep safety central to all services for victims of domestic abuse.
8. To work within a multi-agency framework and contribute to the development of a community response to domestic abuse by working with Hampshire Constabulary, probation, prison service and other local agencies including victim/survivors and women’s services in a positive and inclusive way.
9. To attend multi-agency forums when appropriate.
10. To contribute to risk management by:
· Ensuring that Partner Support Workers are informed of any current or emerging risks posed by the perpetrator attending the Up2U programme.
· Ensuring that any relevant information is shared promptly with agencies where relevant.
· Taking an active part in inter-agency risk management meetings including MARAC.
· Providing weekly updates to referrers regarding Up2U client engagement.
11. To complete administrative and record keeping tasks:
• Ensuring that all relevant records are kept accurately and in a timely manner.
• Writing accurate and concise reports.
• Undertaking administrative and financial tasks and maintaining full records and receipts for all activities.
12. To work within a strict framework of confidentiality and safeguarding. To understand the legal framework relating to the protection of children and adults including the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board/Adult’s Board policies and procedures and the practical implications of this are understood.
13. To 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 perpertartors/survivors ensuring the service is accessible to all:
• To facilitate access to interpreters and adjust interview practice accordingly.
• To work towards the safety/needs of diverse cultural and ethnic groups, also health, mobility, sexuality etc. Form links with relevant agencies to do this.
• Work flexible hours i.e. evening and weekends where necessary to be flexible.
14. Training:
• To undertake training as required.
• Give presentations and provide information to local agencies regarding Up2U.
15. Lone working:
• To follow the SDAS Lone Working Policy and Procedure.
• To undertake risk assessments in liaison with Managers and other team members regarding home visits and neutral location meetings.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
16. To participate in fundraising activities on behalf of SDAS.
17. To publicise the support available to women, men and children at risk of domestic abuse.
18. To record and maintain up to date statistics of enquiries and referrals.
19. To monitor and evaluate the project.
20. To work with volunteers.
21. To establish effective working relationships with colleagues in other services including education, Social Services, the local authority, police and voluntary agencies.
22. To participate 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.
23. To ensure the confidentiality of client information is maintained, in accordance with Southern Domestic Abuse Service’s Confidentiality Policy.
24. To assist with providing cover for absent colleagues during periods of sickness, holidays etc, as requested by the Up2U Coordinator and/or Service Manager.
Person Specification
Up2U FacilitatorCriteria
E = Essential
D = Desirable / E or
D
Skills and Abilities / Ability and willingness to represent the programme positively to other community agencies.
Commitment to work with clients of the Up2U perpetrator programme.
Strong commitment to anti-oppressive practice and working with diversity.
Good self management skills and above average ability to take initiative and problem solve.
A creative approach to delivering services and a willingness to deliver services differently.
Have an ability to work with people aged 16 and above including evidence of engaging with individuals resistant to support.
The ability to build rapport quickly with women and men participating in the service.
An understanding of and an empathy with the needs and experiences of women, children and men who have experienced domestic violence.
An understanding of the complexities associated with domestic abuse.
A commitment to the empowerment of all victims and survivors of domestic abuse.
A commitment to equal opportunities.
Ability to work collaboratively with other professionals in promoting a coordinated community response to violence.
Organisational skills and the ability to prioritise work on a daily basis.
The ability to work as part of a team and on one’s own initiative.
Numeric and literacy skills to undertake administrative tasks.
Computer Literacy.
Effective communication skills.
Ability to work flexibly and some unsocial hours.
The ability to develop and promote projects in the community.
The ability to manage your own caseload. / E
E
E
E
E
E
E
D
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
Experience / Experience of providing support to vulnerable people under stress.
Experience of advocating for vulnerable people.
Experience of developing new services for victims and survivors of domestic abuse.
Strong knowledge of Domestic Violence Issues and Research.
Awareness of Cognitive Behavioral Theory and Motivational Interviewing.
Knowledge of the Criminal Justice System.
Appreciation of research and practice surrounding the work with Domestic Abuse Perpetrators.
Awareness of how domestic violence impacts on women, children, young people and men.
Experience of working with Domestic Abuse perpetrators or offenders
Experience of working with victims and survivors of Domestic Violence.
Experience of delivering group and one to one interventions.
Experience of delivering domestic perpetrator programmes
Excellent Assessment skills.
Excellent presentation and facilitation skills. / E
E
D
E
D
D
D
E
D
D
E
D
E
E
Knowledge / An understanding of and a commitment to the principles of Southern Domestic Abuse Service.
An understanding and awareness of the needs of women, men and children of all ages who have experienced domestic violence.
An understanding of the complexities of partnership working and a commitment to partnership working; including some understanding of other agencies who work with perpetrators of domestic abuse.
Knowledge of working with chaotic individuals.
Knowledge of working with clients with substance misuse issues.
Knowledge of working with clients with Personality Disorders, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities.
An understanding and knowledge of child protection and safeguarding and the ability to work within national, local and organisational guidelines.
An understanding of and ability to practice confidentiality.
Awareness of the legal and housing issues affecting families escaping domestic violence.
Knowledge of the benefits system.
Knowledge of the probation and court processes for offenders.
To have a non-judgmental approach to working with perpetrators.
An understanding of why people stay in abusive relationships.
An understanding of the factors associated with perpetrators of domestic abuse. / E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
D
D
E
E
E
E
Qualifications / A clean driving license and car owner.
A levels or above.
Ability to work at NVQ (or equivalent) level III.
Further Education Qualification. / E
E
E
D
Personal Attributes and Other requirements / Personal Qualities
Ensuring Equal Opportunity.
Emotional Intelligence.
Commitment to user-focused services.
Commitment to self development.
Good standards of hygiene and personal presentation.
Commitment to public protection.
Commitment to integrity and standards.
Commitment to change and improvement.
Be compassionate and empathetic with your client’s situation.
Show initiative and be proactive when managing your case load and interacting with your clients and agencies.
Act with integrity and respect when working with all clients, agencies and individuals.
Be optimistic about the possibility of personal growth and change.
Motivate individuals and agencies to move through courses of action and decision making processes.
Other Requirements
The post is a full time job.
There is a requirement for early evening work in this job.
There is a requirement for occasional evening/weekend work in this job. / E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
31 March 2017
1