Job Description Job Title: Number of hours: Remuneration: Holiday Entitlement: ccountable to: Based at: DBS Required Level: Contract: ndependent Domestic Violence dviser (DV) 35 Hours per week Salary 20,356 per annum (Qualified) 25 days plus bank holidays Domestic buse Services Manager This is a Cwm Taf role therefore the post will have a dual base Teulu MC (Merthyr Tydfil) and the Oasis Centre (Pontypridd) Enhanced nitially fixed term for 12 months Purpose of the post: To provide a high-quality frontline service to victims of domestic abuse, delivering a service to those at highest risk. To work within a multi agency framework consisting of the MRC and local partnership responses to domestic abuse. Main Duties: 1. dentify and assess the risks and needs of domestic abuse victims using an evidence based risk identification checklist. 2. Focus on and prioritise high risk cases and provide a pro-active, short to medium term crisis intervention service through individual safety planning and personal support. 3. Work with high risk victims of domestic abuse to help them access services to keep them and their children safe. 4. dvocate for high risk victims with agencies who can help to address the domestic abuse by:. Understanding the role of all relevant statutory and non-statutory services available to domestic abuse victims and how your role fits with them.. Providing advocacy, emotional and practical support and information to victims including in relation to legal options, housing, health and finance.. Working directly with all key agency partners to address the safety of high risk victims and ensuring that their safety plans are coordinated particularly through the MRC. 5. Manage a caseload ensuring each client receives the appropriate support individual to their needs. 6. Provide Outreach Support by visiting those experiencing domestic abuse, in their own homes or other safe settings. 7. Support the empowerment of the client and assist them in recognising the features and dynamics of domestic abuse present in their situation and help them regain control of their lives. 8. Understand multi agency partnership structures and work within a multi agency setting which will include participation at the MRC. You will contribute interventions and help design a plan to 1 P a g e
protect victims and any children while maintaining an independent role on behalf of your client, keeping their safety as central to any response. 9. Participate in carrying out periodic case reviews with line manager based on a review of risk and abuse which:. Feeds back into action planning to progress, signpost or close cases.. Provides feedback to your client/agencies. 10. Ensure that case files and records are accurate and complete and that both are kept and in compliance with DP requirements. 11. Maintain effective monitoring and evaluation systems and databases which assess intake, output, performance and effectiveness of the service. 12. Comply with data protection legislation, confidentiality and information sharing policies and procedures and all legislation connected to your work. 13. Support colleagues and partner agencies through awareness raising, training, evens and institutional advocacy in order to provide the best possible service for victims of domestic abuse. 14. Respect and value the diversity of the community in which the service works in and recognise the needs and concerns of a diverse range of survivors ensuring the service is accessible to all. 15. To work in partnership with other agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and to ensure that any cases identified as child protection, child in need or any other information deemed necessary is shared immediately with line manager and relevant agencies. 16. Keep up to date in developments in law, professional codes of conduct and uphold standards of best practice in addressing domestic abuse. 17. Ensure service users are consulted on effectiveness of service and service development. 18. ttendance at relevant meetings e.g. SDVC Steering Group, DV Forum, MRC etc. 19. Contribute to the development and effective running of both the Oasis Centre and the Teulu MC. 20. To have specific responsibility for maintaining contact with all non-active Service Users associated with DRVE throughout the duration of DRVE interventions. 21. To deputise for the Service Manager on occasion as required. General responsibilities: 1. ttendance and participation at supervision and appraisal review meetings. 2. ttendance and participation at Project Team Meetings across Cwm Taf. 3. Be responsible for own learning development including relevant legislation, policy and practice, in line with individual training plan and project/organisation development. 2 P a g e
4. Deal with general administrative tasks e.g. letter and report writing, gathering statistics. 5. Work in accordance with all of Safer Merthyr Tydfil s Policies and Procedures 6. Uphold the core aims and values of Safer Merthyr Tydfil and RCTCBC s Oasis Centre, act as an ambassador, actively promoting the work of the organisations. 7. To undertake such other duties and responsibilities commensurate with the grade, as may be reasonably required, or as a mutually agreed development opportunity. The contents of the document will be subject to review from time to time in consultation with the post holder. Job descriptions may be amended to reflect and record such changes. Protecting Children and Vulnerable dults is a core responsibility of all staff. Staff are expected to alert their line manager to any concerns they may have regarding the abuse or inappropriate treatment of a Child or Young Person or Vulnerable dults. 3 P a g e
Personal Specification - ndependent Domestic Violence dviser Due to the nature of this role Safer Merthyr Tydfil will be considering female applicants only in accordance with the provisions of the Occupational Requirement (Equality ct 2010, Schedule 9) QULTES ESSENTL Confirmed Education and qualifications Good level of numeracy, literacy, report writing and T skills. Hold a SafeLives (previously CD) DV training certificate or a willingness to undertake. lternative qualifications if DV certificate not held; a relevant degree or vocational qualification. Working with databases. 4 P a g e Experience Knowledge and skills Experience of direct work with vulnerable people (who have experienced Domestic violence and abuse - Desirable). Managing a caseload. Experience of crisis management and the ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations. Working within a multi agency and legislative framework. Experience of risk assessment, safety planning and risk management for victims of domestic abuse and their children. Experience of delivering awareness raising sessions and training. Excellent inter-personal, communication, negotiation and advisory skills, both written and verbal when interacting with a range of agencies and individuals. Understand safeguarding issues and the legal responsibilities surrounding these issues. wareness of anti-discriminatory issues in relation to work with families. Understanding of confidentiality and personal/professional boundaries. Understanding of domestic abuse and the impact on victims and their children. Have theoretical, practical and procedural knowledge of civil and criminal justice remedies for victims of domestic abuse and their children. Understand the remits and resources of relevant statutory bodies and voluntary agencies.
bility to self evaluate and reflect on practice. Understand and be committed to equal opportunities and diversity issues in policy and practice. Other Flexible approach to hours worked and methods of working. bility to relate well to others. ble to use own initiative to seek creative solutions to problems while working within organisational guidelines. Commitment to ongoing personal and professional development. bility to travel independently across Cwm Taf (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf). bility to speak Welsh or willingness to learn (desirable). COMPETENCES 1. Working with Partners Works to overcome conflicting viewpoints for the best interest of the service user. ctively identifies partners and community networks that can be used for the benefit of the service user. 2. Working with Team Members Contributes to a strong team spirit of shared responsibilities and cooperation. 3. Communicating Effectively Communicates clearly and concisely. 4. Looking fter the Service Users Best nterests Uses style of language that others (e.g. children, young people, community representative, managers, and professionals) can clearly understand. Listens to the views of the service user and includes those involved with the service users, to define the best ways forward. Explores and identifies the range of risks within the situation to service users, others, and self. 5. Earning Service Users Trust Respects Service Users individuality, feelings and beliefs, their rights to privacy and make choices. 5 P a g e To be honest and open with Service Users. Clearly explains the boundaries in relation to the information obtained and information sharing in relation to confidentiality policy and procedures.
6. Working with Change s willing to try new ways of working and is flexible to them. 7. chieving Results s willing to go above and beyond to exceed expectations. 8. Encouraging Professional Development Continually actively reviews their own development, identifying opportunities to progress. 6 P a g e