To Tosupport12-17 Year-Old Young People Who Have Been Affected by Domestic Abuse

Job Description

Job information

Job Title / Early Intervention worker
Grade / 3
Location / Band / Gaia centre/ 1
Responsible to / The Gaia Centre service manager
Direct reports / N/A
Working hours / 37.5 hours per week
Working pattern / 9.00am – 5.30pm Monday - Friday

Scope of the job

To Tosupport12-17 year-old young people who have been affected by domestic abuse.

To support young survivors from the point of crisis to help ensure their short-term and long-term safety, reduce risk, enable them to access community support services and achieve their life goals.

To increase the ability of partner agencies, including schools in Lambeth to recognise and respond appropriately and safely to young people affected by domestic abuse.

Job responsibilities

Managing service delivery and performance

To provide non-judgmental one-to-one emotional and practical support to 12-17 year-olds who have been affected by domestic abuse. This will include conducting key work sessions on a regular basis and keeping accurate casework records up to date.
To establish the risks to, and the needs of the young people through assessing their practical and emotional support needs.
To develop individual support and risk management plans, including risk assessments, safety planning, and needs assessments to address the risk of harm to the young people.
To work with Refuge’s team of independent gender violence advocates (IGVAs) to support 12-17 year olds to access justice (criminal/civil remedies).
To ensure that any issues in relation to safeguarding children or vulnerable adults are brought to the immediate attention of the Gaia Centre service manager, or if unavailable another manager.
To work with the young people to promote and develop healthy relationships.
To assist 12-17 year olds to access relevant community services such as counselling, health, legal, training, education, volunteering and employment services.
To work in partnership with other agencies and to advocate for the young people to ensure their needs are met.
To deliver presentations and informal training to external agencies to increase understanding of and improve responses to young people affected by domestic abuse.
To advocate on behalf of young people to ensure they are receiving necessary legal protection, accompanying them to appointments if appropriate and ensuring their wishes and feelings regarding the provision of those services has been taken into account.
To recognise, respect and address the needs of service-users who face particular barriers when seeking help to access the service, including those from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, LGBT communities, disabled people, people with complex needs and other hard to reach groups.

Managing security

To maintain the security and well-being of survivors of domestic violence and their children within the premises, and to communicate immediately with the Services Manager any breaches of security, house rules or occupancy agreements especially where there is concern about safety.
To control access to the refuge when on duty and remind residents to keep the building secure when staff are not present.
To check efficient working of any entry phone and CCTV systems daily.
To ensure that security of sensitive information is maintained and complies with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Managing health and safety

To promote and ensure safe working for self and others by strict adherence to Refuge Security procedures and Health and Safety policy.
To and support the management of health, safety and security within a refuge, including carrying out and recording regular fire and health and safety checks, ensuring that fire equipment and fire doors are in working order and not obstructed.
To ensure that all equipment provided by Refuge is in safe working order and that periodic testing and maintenance is carried out.
To ensure that the accommodation is always attractive and comfortable and that a good standard of hygiene is maintained in the refuge. To carry out cleaning and other light manual duties when required.
To arrange and supervise contractors, carrying out maintenance, window cleaning and cleaning of communal areas.

Managing self

To promote and support equality and empowerment within all areas of work.
To represent and be an ambassador for Refuge, working in partnership internally and externally with other agencies to ensure an effective coordinated community response to survivors of sexual violence and their children.
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 actively participate in Refuge’s performance management processes including regular supervisions and development. (Please note this will involve travel to London)

It is essential to the development of Refuge’s service delivery that the post holder is able to respond flexibly to changes in the requirements of this post. This job description is therefore a guide and not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities the post holder may have over time.

Person specification

Specification / Essential or Desirable / Assessment Method*
Education and qualifications

Good standard of general education.
A recognised social work/housing/legal/ counselling or other relevant qualification.
CAADA qualification.

/ E
D
D / A
A
A
Experience

Significant proven experience of providing direct emotional practical and welfare support to survivors of domestic abuse and young people affected by domestic abuse.
Proven experience of advocating to statutory agencies in a multi-agency setting in order to secure safeguarding outcomes for survivors of domestic abuse.
Experience of identifying and responding to the risks to and needs of survivors of domestic abuse.
Proven experience of working with other vulnerable or hard-to-reach groups.
Proven experience of working with teenagers.

/ E
E
E
E
E / A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
Abilities/skills/ knowledge

Knowledge of domestic (emotional and financial abuse, ‘honour’ based violence and forced marriage ) and teenage dating relationship abuse and its impact upon survivors and children.
A proven commitment to supporting those affected by domestic abuse to achieve their chosen life outcomes.
Working knowledge of the legal system as it relates to victims of domestic abuse. And an up to date knowledge of criminal and civil legislation relating to domestic violence.
Knowledge of domestic abuse and its impact upon survivors and children.
Evidence of the ability to build and develop supportive relationships with survivors 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.
Evidence of the ability to provide, non-judgemental, non-directive and confidential support survivors to take control of their lives and set realistic objectives and goals.
Understanding of the risk assessment and safety planning process, within the context of domestic abuse.
Evidence of the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, including the ability to listen actively and match communication to the needs of the recipient.
Evidence of the ability to take responsibility for own actions and behaviour being able to reflect on previous experiences to improve own practice.
Evidence of the ability to be calm and resilient whilst under pressure and to remain optimistic and persistent.
Evidence of the ability to work as a team member and within a line management structure, understanding the importance of seeking guidance and support when required.
Evidence of ability to plan and prioritise work activities.
Demonstrable ability to use Microsoft Office (word, excel, outlook, access).

/ E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E / A/I
A/I/T
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I/T
A/I
A/I
A/I/T
I
I
A/I
A/I/T
A/I/T
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.

/ E / I

*Assessment method:

A: ApplicationI: InterviewT: Test

Notes

1)This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. Due to the nature of our work it will be necessary for an enhanced disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service for details of any previous criminal convictions which are not protected under the Act.

2)Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Page | 1March 2016