Victim Support

Job Description

Job Title: Independent Domestic Violence Adviser, Kingston

Department: Kingston, London region

Reporting to:Domestic Violence Service Delivery Manager

Responsible for: Delivery of independent advocacy service

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1. Main purpose of the job

  • provide a proactive service to victims of domestic violence within the Royal Borough of Kingston
  • assess the risk a client is in and deliver a service appropriate to the level of risk and offering a premium service to those at high risk
  • work with the domestic violence team within Kingston to ensure clear referral pathwaysare established both within Victim Support and from external agencies
  • deliver training talks and outreach events around Kingston aimed at increasing knowledge of domestic violence and reaching those who do not report to the police
  • represent Victim Support and our victims at the Kingston MARAC
  • represent Victim Support at the Kingston One Stop Shop
  • work closely with other members of the Kingston Victim Support team to ensure clear communication and cross referrals
  • maintain service reporting information to ensure transparency of service delivery and high quality monitoring reporting

2.Main duties and responsibilities

  • provide pro-active service and advice to victims of domestic violence to keep them and their children safe
  • risk assess and deliver service in keeping with the level of risk
  • explain housing, civil and criminal legal options to victims
  • undertake safety planning with victims to secure practical safety measures
  • develop individual service plan to meet individual risks victimfaces
  • refer Very High Risk victims on to MARACs
  • advocate on behalf ofvictimsso they get the services to which they are entitled
  • understand the legal framework relating to the protection of children including the policy and procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board
  • support victims through the criminal justice system, explaining the procedures and their role and rights within that system
  • help victimdevelop own support network
  • refer on and arrange meetings with other agencies/services as necessary, for instance, solicitors, benefit agency, etc
  • manage a caseload
  • maintain and update records of all cases
  • follow procedures and protocols with other services so that the safety of the victims is kept central to any process
  • keep other relevant agencies informed about important changes in a victim’s situation
  • working with the Service Delivery Manager refer low and medium risk victims to volunteers and provide case support on a as needed basis.

3.Health & safety

Observe all Health & Safety rules and procedures and attend all relevant training courses as required.

4.Equal Opportunities

Ensure all duties and responsibilities are carried out in a manner which promotes the development of Victim Support's Equality and Diversity policy.

It is agreed that the above is a brief and concise description of the post.

Person Specification

Job title:Independent Domestic Violence Adviser, Kingston
Department:Kingston, London region

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Experience
  • Working directly with victims of domestic abuse (s)
  • Working within a multi-agency framework
  • Delivering talks and attending outreach events (s)

Knowledge

  • The impact of domestic abuse on victims and their children, and in particular, the effects on health (s)
  • The needs of victims of domestic abuse
  • The working practices of the police and other statutory and community agencies (s)
  • Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy
  • Microsoft Office packages

Skills

  • Ability to work on own initiative as well as a team and be proactive planning, prioritising and organising workload (s)
  • Comfortable dealing with people at all levels
  • Crisis management skills
  • Organised and methodical approach to work
  • Excellent listening skills, empathy, being non-judgmental
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to make a case for a client to be prioritised (s)
  • Able to work under pressure
  • Able to operate withinVictim Support’s Confidentiality and Information Sharing Policy
  • Able to promote the work of Victim Support
  • Good IT and administrative skills
Special conditions
  • Commitment to the aims of the Victim Support’s Equality and Diversity Policy (s)
  • Able to pass appropriateCRB vetting
  • CAADA advocacy training (essential)

(s) indicates short-listing criteria