Veteran Trauma Advocate; Triage

Overview

Fear Free delivers services across the Southwest for victims, children and perpetrators of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking, with the aim to break the cycle of abuse and support all to live free from fear. We provide trauma responsive support, and this post will be fundamental to ensuring service users, stakeholders and partners experience this in our daily delivery.

Our ‘Welcome’ Team act as the front door into our service, working within a multi-disciplinary team to provide triage and early intervention support to individuals of all ages and risk levels affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking, including those with harmful behaviours.

This varied and rewarding role involves providing trauma responsive support to our service users, as well as advice and support to partner agencies, through our dedicated duty line and on-site visits when required. Our duty line operates Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm and allows for service users and professionals to get a quick response from our service.

Fear Free is committed to flexible and hybrid working and this role will be a mix of home based and office based, alongside requiring travel for multi-agency meetings and other deliverables.

This role may include evening and weekend work when required.

• Provide a trauma-responsive service to individuals of all ages and risk levels who have been affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking including those with harmful behaviours.
• Demonstrate specialist knowledge of domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking and behaviour change including the associated risks to victims, perpetrators, and the wider family unit.
• Offer advice, guidance, and emotional and practical support to individuals of all ages and risk levels affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking.
• Support people with military backgrounds using knowledge and experience of culture and engagement with the armed forces.
• Assess, manage and review risks to service users, using tools such as the DASH risk assessment, SOAG and RIC. Providing risk reduction and safety planning advice.
• Respond to emergencies and crisis situations, including suicidal ideation and the need to access a place of safety.
• Make safeguarding referrals to appropriate agencies including Children’s Social Care, Adult Social Care, Mental Health Crisis Teams, and MARAC.
• Work sensitively with service users to share and explain MARAC outcomes and other safeguarding decisions.
• Manage and support service users via telephone of all risk levels in line with service values.
• Always safeguard the health and welfare of service users and their families.

• To be the advisory point of contact for colleagues across all areas of our support offer, and external colleagues across the armed forces and veteran services.
• Offer professional advice and support to multi‑agency partners and stakeholders.
• Work closely with statutory and voluntary agencies to enhance safety, support and safeguarding.
• Make referrals to and maintain positive working relationships with external agencies.
• Feedback information related to service users’ needs, risk concerns, and trends to the appropriate team manager.
• Support and grow our engagement and contact with the armed forces and veteran communities.
• Support effective team operations with a proactive, flexible approach, including covering for staff absences.

• Provide a responsive support service with high-quality customer care.
• Answer telephone calls, respond to voicemails and referrals, and carry out triage, assessments and action as appropriate.
• Assist with referral processes and early interventions, including contacting other agencies and coordinating appointments.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential written and digital records, including identifying service user needs and risk information.
• Assist with monitoring and evaluation procedures and contribute to the production of reports.

Fear Free is committed to encouraging equality and diversity in the workplace. We strive to be a diverse and inclusive place to work where we can all be ourselves and individual differences are recognised and valued.

Hours:

22.5 - 37 hours per week; part time or full time roles available