IDVA; Independent Domestic Violence Advocate; Grade G

Job title:

IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advocate) - Grade G

Job Category:
Social Care Qualified

Location:

Trinity Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L20 3NJ
, Sefton MBC

Salary: £20.01 per hour

Various, a minimum of 2 days per week at Meadows

To provide a high quality frontline service to high risk victims of domestic abuse to help keep them safe and to advocate on their behalf.

To work within a multi-agency framework consisting of the MARAC and local partnership responses to domestic abuse

Provide pro-active short to medium term crisis intervention support and advice to victims of domestic abuse to help keep them and their children safe.

Identify and assess the risks and needs of service users using an evidence based risk identification checklist.

Follow procedures to ensure service users are offered appropriate support according to risk level and their individual needs, and where necessary forward referrals on to other appropriate services.

Undertake safety planning with service users, and where appropriate work with other agencies to put these plans into place.

Develop individual safety and support plans to meet the individual risks and needs identified for each service user.

Advocate on behalf of service users to help them access the services they need and are entitled to and to help keep them and their children safe.

Recognise, respect and address the needs of service users who may face additional barriers to accessing support.

To support the empowerment of victims/survivors, assisting them to recognise the dynamics of domestic abuse present in their own situation, and to help them regain control of their lives.

Explain housing, civil and criminal legal options to service users and empower them to make their own choices.

Support service users through the Criminal Justice System, explaining the procedures and their role and rights within that system.

Refer service users who meet the criteria on to MARAC, participate in the MARAC framework, complete MARAC updates, attend and participate in meetings, and follow-up on actions agreed.

Understand the legal frameworks relating to domestic abuse and the protection of children and vulnerable adults including the policy and procedures of the Local Safeguarding Adults and Childrens Boards.

Follow safeguarding procedures regarding any concerns for children and/or vulnerable adults.

Attend /provide updates to multi agency safeguarding meetings as required.

Ensure that procedures and protocols with other services are followed so that the safety of the service user is kept central to any process informing the relevant agencies in changes of circumstances of service users.

Refer on and arrange meetings with other agencies/services as necessary.

Follow the Lone Working policy when attending any face to face meetings with service users.

Manage and prioritise a caseload, and maintain up to date records of all cases on the IDVA case management system.

Take an active part in case review meetings in order to communicate information regarding cases and their progress.

Support the development and delivery of training and awareness raising sessions on domestic abuse for front line professionals.

Attend promotional events to provide advice, guidance and information on domestic abuse and the support services on offer.

Attend and contribute to team meetings and efforts to improve procedures and services.

Comply with and ensure adherence to all Local Authority policies on confidentiality and data protection.

Undertake any development training as and when necessary, including the completion of a recognised IDVA qualification if not already done.

The nature of the work may require the post holder to undertake commitments outside normal working hours

The post you are applying for is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore you are required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not protected (i.e. filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2013.

The post holder may be expected to work across different Council buildings and travel across a wide geographical area depending on the needs of the service and service user. Casual car allowance will be payable as appropriate.

IDVA or a related domestic abuse qualification

Proven practical experience in the domestic abuse…