JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title Reports to Purpose of Job Team Leader Health Hub Domestic Violence and Abuse (DVA) Service Manager The Health IDVA Team will: Empower individuals affected by DVA to improve their health and wellbeing Address and improve the social determinants of poor health Measure the impact of the work, evaluate and share the learning Enhance collaborative working with stakeholders in order to take action on health inequalities in a co-ordinated community response to DVA Contribute to the prevention of future deaths through domestic homicide. The Team Leader will be responsible for the development and management of the new Health Hub across East Sussex, providing line and project management support to staff, training to staff and clinicians working in GP practices, ensuring on-going support for Primary Care health professionals and Hospital based services (Hastings only), shortterm case-work, advocacy and specialist advice for patients. This is a development and management role for a general practice-based domestic violence and abuse (DVA) Case Worker/ IDVA providing training, delivering direct client support interventions and building referral pathways into specialist services which has recently been piloted across Hastings, and is now being expanded across both Eastbourne and Hastings primary care settings alongside ESHT Conquest Hospital in Hastings. This service is part of CGL s specialist domestic abuse service which is delivered in East Sussex as part of The Portal (http://theportal.org.uk/). The service is aimed at women and men who are experiencing DVA from a current partner, ex-partner or adult family member. The Team Leader will manage a small team of two Domestic Abuse Case Workers/ IDVAs. Core functions of the post include service development, staff line management and high quality reporting and presentation of management information to Commissioners and a multi-agency Steering Group. Service development and delivery will include the design and delivery of training packages for health professionals to promote routine enquiry, identification and referral into specialist services for people experiencing domestic violence and abuse. 1
A. AIMS OF THE POSITION: To support and provide on-going training for health professionals in general practice on understanding and responding to domestic violence and abuse (DVA). To encourage health professionals to ask women and men about their experience of abuse and respond, record, safety check and refer. To build and maintaining an effective relationship with acute care, primary care and general practice teams. To provide individual needs-led information, support and advocacy (including sign-posting) for women and men who disclose past or current experiences of DVA. B. SPECIFIC AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY: B. 1. The Team Leader will: Develop and manage the service and supervise a small staff team. Deliver practice-based capacity development work. Collate and analyse statistical data and service intelligence for reports. Produce and present high quality narrative reports and management information for commissioners. Develop and deliver training to health care professionals about DVA in participating general practices settings. Promote awareness of the experiences and needs of those experiencing 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: o o o Provision of systematic support to the primary care teams of participating general practices and community based health services 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. Proactively generate referrals from practice staff in participating general practices. B.2. ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT SERVICE Provide support to women and men experiencing DVA referred by primary health care clinicians from participating practices. Provide support to women and men experiencing DVA who self-refer from participating practices. Provide direct casework support, advice, information and advocacy to women and men experiencing DVA through telephone contact, and/or meetings at the relevant practice. 2
Work with women and men 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. Follow ESCC and CGL safeguarding processes and child protection procedures and protection of adults at risk procedures at all times. Screen, provide advice and information, signpost and refer clients to specialist case workers within the Portal as appropriate (male, LGBT and BaME). 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 services or other external agencies when appropriate. Keep accurate records of all work done with or on behalf of clients and produce written reports as requested, including a monthly outputs and outcomes report on referrals from participating clinicians and administrative staff, and proactively work to increase the rate of referrals. Lead on the monitoring and evaluation of the project. C. GENERAL: Unit Number and Title specific standard National Occupational Standards for this role include: HSC35 AA1 HSC233 HSC330 HSC3111 HSC226 AB3 HSC335 HSC395 HSC33 GEN36 AC3 GEN33 M&L D1 Promote choice, wellbeing and the protection of all individuals Recognise indications of substance misuse and refer individuals to specialists Relate to, and interact with, individuals Support individuals to access and use services and facilities Promote the equality, diversity, rights and responsibilities of individuals Support individuals who are distressed Contribute to the prevention/ management of abusive and aggressive behaviour Contribute to the protection of individuals from harm and abuse Contribute to assessing and act upon risk of danger, harm and abuse Reflect on and develop your practice Make use of supervision Contribute to the development of the knowledge and practice of others Enable other individuals to reflect on their own values, priorities, interests and effectiveness Develop productive working relationships with colleagues 3
Unit Number and Title specific standard National Occupational Standards for this role include: AD2 AF1 AG1 AG2 HSC388 AG3 BE4 BE6 HSC31 CJAD2 HSC3100 GEN48 M&L E6 HSC22 HSC32 CJAD 3 Facilitate learning through presentations and activities Carry out screening and referral assessment Develop, implement and review care plans for individuals Contribute to care planning and review Relate to families, parents and carers Assist in the transfer of individuals between agencies and services Supplying information for management control Preparing reports and returns Promote effective communication for and about individuals Develop, sustain and evaluate joint work between agencies Participate in inter-disciplinary team working to support individuals Promote your organisation and its services to stakeholders Ensure health and safety requirements are met in your area of responsibility Support the health and safety of yourself and individuals Promote, monitor and maintain health, safety and security in the working environment Represent one s own agency at other agencies meetings D. PERSON SPECIFICATION Essential Experience & Skills 1 In-depth knowledge and understanding of the issues facing women and men who have experienced DVA, with specific knowledge of the effects on health and an understanding of the needs of those from minority communities. 4
2 Specialist knowledge and/or experience of working with women experiencing DVA; ability to communicate sensitively with people who may be distressed, and to establish and maintain appropriate boundaries when working with women who are experiencing crisis. 3 Knowledge of relevant legislation relating to DVA, options for and rights of women and men experiencing domestic violence and abuse, and proven ability to use in casework. 4 Knowledge of a range of options for and rights of women experiencing DVA and proven application of these concepts. 5 Experience of needs and risk assessment and support of women experiencing domestic violence and abuse. 6 Experience of line management and supervision of a small staff team. 7 High quality report writing and presentation skills. 8 Experience of designing and delivery of training. 9 Experience of building and maintaining partnerships and ability to liaise constructively with external organisations. 10 Ability to communicate effectively with a range of professionals. 11 Ability to work autonomously and under pressure, manage time effectively and prioritise competing tasks. 12 Excellent verbal and written communications skills. 13 Knowledge of service evaluation and audit. 14 Sound and safe working knowledge and practice of safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk. 15 Demonstrable experience of and commitment to working within an anti-discriminatory framework. 16 Ability to maintain effective data collection and monitoring systems. 17 Proficient in Word-processing, spreadsheets and databases, preferably in a Windows environment. Attitude, personal attributes and abilities 18 Commitment to working within a feminist ethos. 19 Non-judgemental and non-directive approach to empowering women along with the ability to understand the individual needs of women. 20 An understanding and empathy for the specific needs of men experiencing domestic violence and abuse. 5
21 Able to critically assess own performance and reflect on own practice. 22 Flexible able to deal with changing and competing demands. 23 Ability to think creatively and show initiative. Education, qualifications & training 24 Degree level education or similar/relevant professional qualification. 25 Formal / informal training in gender violence issues. Other 26 Able to work at weekends and in evenings when required. Desirable 27 Safe Lives IDVA Qualification. 28 Project management or service development experience This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check at an enhanced level. This description accurately reflects the present position; it may be amended and reviewed. Any change will be made following a proper period of consultation. 6