The Above Is Provided for Guidance and Is Not an Exhaustive List of All Accountabilities
Location: / Coventry / Work Pattern:
22.5 hours per week.
9.00am – 5.30pm Monday to Wednesday.
Fixed Term until 29/03/2013
Job Purpose: / To provide independent advocacy and personal welfare support to high risk survivors of domestic violence.
To work with survivors from the point of crisis, assisting them through the court process and offering intensive support to help ensure short and long term safety.
To ensure the delivery of high quality, independent advocacy services to survivors of domestic violence in.
Responsible to: / Advocacy Coordinator / Direct reports: / N/A
Main duties:
Managing service delivery and performance
To provide non-judgmental one-to-one emotional, practical, legal and advocacy support to women, applying the principles of effective casework when supporting survivors of domestic violence who are at high risk of homicide or serious harm. This will include conducting key work sessions on a regular basis and keeping casework records up to date.
To advocate on behalf of survivors of domestic violence, working with service-users at high risk following an initial assessment of their needs, and working within a structured key-working relationship.
To establish the risks to, and the needs of survivors of, domestic violence and their children through assessing their practical and emotional support needs.
To develop individual support and risk management plans which address the risk of harm to survivors of domestic violence and their children, and to ensure that such plans are in place for every woman.
To ensure that any issues in relation to safeguarding children or vulnerable adults are brought to the immediate attention of the service manager, or if unavailable another manager.
To work in partnership with other agencies and to advocate for survivors to ensure their needs are met.
To ensure that survivors are aware of their rights to legal protection for themselves and their children, arranging for the provision of legal advice as required and accompany women to appointments if appropriate.
To work within Refuge’s quality management system following all polices and procedures
To participate in the collection and maintenance of information on relevant referral agencies and local services.
To provide statistical monitoring or reports as required.
To ensure that the views and experiences of women and agencies are sought actively, recorded carefully and inform the development of the service.
To report any problems/difficulties/complaints to the service manager and participate in follow up investigations as required.
Managing Security
To maintain the security and well-being of survivors of domestic violence and their children, and to communicate immediately with the service manager any breaches of security.
To maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries and security, when working with residents, staff and external agencies.
General
To develop and maintain positive, collaborative working relationships with all Refuge staff, both locally and across the wider organisation, being committed as part of the team to providing a high level of support to survivors.
To attend all meetings or training as requested by the domestic violence services manager. To attend regular supervision sessions and participate in Refuge’s performance management processes. This will include travel to London.
To ensure that security of sensitive information is maintained and complies with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.
The above is provided for guidance and is not an exhaustive list of all accountabilities that the post holder may have over time.
Person Specification / IDVA /Criteria / Essential / Desirable / How measured?
(Application / Interview / Assessment)
Education/ Qualifications / Good standard of general education.
Relevant degree or qualification.
CAADA qualification. / Essential
Desirable
Desirable / Application Form
Application Form
Application Form
Experience / Significant proven experience of providing emotional and practical support to survivors of domestic violence.
Experience of identifying and responding to the risks to and needs of survivors of domestic violence.
Experience of providing, non-judgemental, non-directive and confidential support to women and of encouraging women to take control of their lives and set realistic objectives and goals.
Experience of attending court in a professional capacity.
Experience of working in a residential setting/ refuge/women’s advice centre or other relevant agency. / Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Desirable / Application Form/ Interview
Application Form/ Interview
Application Form/ Interview
Application Form/ Interview
Application Form/ Interview
Abilities/Skills/ Knowledge / Working knowledge of the legal system as it relates to survivors of domestic violence.
Up to date knowledge of housing, criminal, civil and welfare rights legislation relating to domestic violence.
Evidence of the ability to build and develop supportive relationships with abused women and their children maintaining professional boundaries.
Evidence of the ability to build effective relationships, both internally and externally, showing sensitivity for others’ viewpoints and valuing diversity.
An awareness of the dynamics and impact of domestic violence and how best to support survivors, including addressing homelessness among women and children.
Evidence of the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, including the ability to listen actively and match communication to the needs of the recipient.
Ability to work effectively on own initiative, with minimal direct supervision and as part of a team.
Evidence of the ability to be calm and resilient whilst under pressure and to remain optimistic and persistent
Good organisational and administrative skills.
Good Microsoft Office skills.
Understanding of confidentiality issues. / Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential / Interview/Test
Interview/Test
Interview
Interview
Interview
Interview
Interview
Interview
Interview/Assessment
Interview/Assessment
Interview
General / A commitment to follow the policies, procedures and philosophical principles of Refuge and be committed to empowerment, support and equality which underpin all of the work undertaken by Refuge.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. It will be necessary for an enhanced Disclosure to be made to the Criminal Records Bureau for details of any previous criminal convictions.
*Occupational Requirement (Equality Act 2010) applies