Next Link Domestic Abuse Services

Next Link Domestic Abuse Services

Job Description

Position Title:Female Advocate/Educator, IRIS (Identification & Referral to Improve Safety)

Full time:37.5 hours per week

Salary: Point 26, £23,398

Line Manager:Next Link IRIS Team Leader

A. AIMS OF THE POSITION:

To provide training to general practices, on-going support for health professionals and advocacy for patients in Bristol

supporting and providing on-going training for health care professionals in general practice on understanding and responding to domestic violence and abuse (DVA)

encouraging health care professionals to ask patients about their experience of abuse and respond, record, safety check and refer

building and maintaining an effective relationship with general practice teams

providing individual, needs-led information, support and advocacy (including sign-posting) for patients who disclose their past or current experiences of DVA

B. SPECIFIC AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

The IRIS Advocate/Educator has responsibility to:

Practice-based work

Deliver training to health care professionals about DVA in participating general practices

Promote awareness of the experiences and needs of patients living with or escaping DVA, particularly in relation to their health

Develop a good relationship with all general practice staff and work effectively as part of the practice team. This includes:

provision of systematic support to the primary care teams of participating general practices, including meeting with individuals and small groups of clinical and administrative staff
Working closely with practice champions in each practice
Attending relevant meetings

Further develop effective assessment and monitoring procedures and ensure that clear accurate records are kept and maintained

Review number of advocate referrals made by clinicians in participating general practices

Feedback on the use of the electronic template linked to the project (HARKS) and provide patient feedback and case updates /outcomes

Advocacy and support service

Provide support to patients experiencing DVA referredby primary health care clinicians from participating practices

Provide support to patients experiencing DVA who self-refer from participating practices

Provide direct casework support, advice, information and advocacy to patients experiencing DVA through telephone contact, and/or meetings at the relevant practice and to ensure patients’ views are central to their support plan

To be sensitive to the patient’s diversity needs and respond appropriately

Work with patients experiencing DVA to increase their personal safety, and that of any children, and inform them of their rights and options in terms of housing, legal and welfare rights

To monitor child safety and to follow Next Link’s child protection procedures and report all concerns to the Child Protection Officer

To develop good working relationships and liaise with outside agencies when needed. This will include referral to colleagues within the specialist agency, to other specialist DVA servicesor other external agencies when appropriate

To promote survivors’ involvement and participation in the development and running of the project.

To keep accurate records of all work done with or on behalf of clients and produce written reports as requested, including a monthly report of referrals from clinicians participating in the IRIS programme and the take up of these referrals advocacy including outputs and patient outcomes

To contribute to monitoring and evaluation of the project.

C. GENERAL:

General responsibilities

To work in accordance with all Next Link policies, procedures and core values and to comply at all times with the organisation’s agreed aims and principles and the accepted Code of Conduct.

To work within the confines of the project and ensure that professional boundaries are maintained

To promote the good name of the organisation and develop effective working relationships with external organisations.

To observe health and safety procedures in the workplace and to ensure personal safety and to safeguard the interests and safety of colleagues, customers and visitors.

To develop and maintain a current awareness of domestic abuse

To pass any complaints directly to the director and participate in any review or follow up as required

To participate in service evaluation from reviewing individual change to monitoring quality assurance of the service

To carry out your own administrative duties

To attend staff meetings and participate in organisational training and development events.

To uphold the service users' involvement policy and promote it appropriately.

To participate in regular one-to-one supervision, reviews, and annual appraisals and attend training as identified.

To carry out such duties consistent with the above as may be required from time to time.

The post holder must be female. Section 7 (2) (e) of the Sex Discrimination Act (1979) applies.

Next Link is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk of abuse, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Next Link is committed to Equal Opportunities.