Job Description

Overview of IDVA project

Please note this role will be based in one of our service areas covering, Carmarthenshire, Powys, Pembrokeshire or Ceredigion.

Dal I Godi provides an IDVA Service to victims of domestic abuse who are assessed as high risk in accordance with the recognised Safe Lives Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Harassment (DASH) risk assessment. The service addresses the safety of victims at high riskof harm from intimate partners, ex-partners, or family members to secure their safety and the safety of their children. In providing a service to adult victims, every care is taken to ensure appropriate advice and referral is provided to safeguard any dependent children. Serving as a victim's primary point of contact, the IDVAs work with their service users from the point of crisisto assess the level of risk, discuss the range of suitable options and develop safety plans.

The service is accessible to individuals who have reported domestic abuse and currently reside in the Dyfed Powys area, who are relocating to this area from elsewhere or who are reporting domestic abuse to agencies within this area. Opening hours for the IDVA service are Mon-Fri 9am-10pm with duty IDVA cover each weekday evening between 5-10 pm. Duty IDVA cover will also be available Saturdays & Sundays 9am-3pm.

Purpose of the Role

Address the safety of victims at high riskof harm from intimate partners, ex-partners, or family members to secure their safety and the safety of their children.

Serve as a victim's primary point of contact by working with them from the point of crisisto assess the level of risk, discuss the range of suitable options and develop safety plans.

Be pro-activein implementing the plans, including actions from MARAC, which address immediate safety and enable victims to protect themselves and their children, as well as longer-term solutions, using sanctions and services via criminal and civil courts, housing options and other organisations.

Provide short- to medium-term support to promote long-term safety.

Work as part of the Dal I Godi IDVA service and specialist domestic abuse teams across Dyfed Powys, keeping the service users' views and safety at the centre of proceedings.

By engaging with high-risk individuals, achieve clear and measurable improvements in safety, including a reduction in the escalation and severity of abuse and a reduction or cessation in repeat incidents of abuse.

The post holder will embody Calan DVS' values, and model appropriate behaviours at all times, and in all areas of responsibility.

Role Expectations

Carry a caseload of high-risk victims of domestic abuse, including those who are at imminent risk of harm or homicide, with a variety of differing needs and levels of need, depending on their situation.

Undertake assessment of victims' needs, risks and suitability to be allocated a place in the service and if not eligible to refer on to a more appropriate service.

Be available for victims' who require one off advice over the phone and guide colleagues in relation to any domestic abuse queries that may arise; to be supported by the Service Manager when necessary.

Develop and implement safety plans in partnership with the service user to enable the individual to look at the risks to improve their safety and their children's safety and to take back control of their lives.

Carry out risk assessments and risk manage cases to assist in reducing further incidents, and hold overall responsibility for maintaining and updating these, on an ongoing basis.

Recognise, respect, and address the needs of victims who face particular barriers when seeking help to access the advocacy service including hard to reach groups.

Be responsible for managing individual service user case management files and hold overall responsibility for maintaining and updating these.

Attend regular team meetings, including team meetings with core domestic abuse services to ensure a quality streamlined IDVA service; supervisions with your line manager; and clinical supervisions with an independent party.

Work with the MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference) process to deliver a service to victims that are at the highest risk.

Participate in MARACs/Daily Discussions as required and respond to actions in a timely manner.

Work with the MARAC (Multi agency Risk Assessment Conference) process to create an action/safety plan amongst leading professionals for victims who are at high risk. Prepare updates for this process and advocate on behalf of the victim, in this forum; offer specialist institutional advocacy during this process.

Complete the DASH Risk Identification Checklist and Severity of Abuse Grid (SOAG).

Promote and be guided by the SafeLives Domestic Abuse Stalking And Harassment Risk Identification Checklist (DASH RIC), recognising that this is a common tool that should be used by all practitioners.

Explain housing, civil and criminal legal options to service users and provide up to date and relevant information and resources.

Support service users through the CJS system, explaining procedures including special measures and their role and rights within that system.

Attend Pre Trial-Review Courts and provide relevant information to the CPS, enabling the CPS and Courts to make informed decisions with regard to case progression.

Attend and contribute to Specialist Domestic Violence Courts (SDVC), as well as liaising with the CPS and taking a seat in the magistrates' court. Advise magistrates, when asked, for advice in this forum. Attend SDVC meetings and contribute to the meeting as an advocate on behalf of victims.

Attend Crown Court when necessary.

Undertake responsibilities in the civil court forum and liaise with solicitors/multi agencies in respect of this.

Be responsible for drawing up Individual Safety and Support Plans (ISSPs), and hold overall responsibility for maintaining and updating these, on an ongoing basis.

Provide housing related support to enable service users to take on and/or sustain a tenancy to prevent homelessness. Provide housing related support that is safety specific and signpost the service user to other agencies that will help support them to sustain their tenancy. Facilitate emergency accommodation/a change of address that is safety driven.

Motivate and encourage service users to participate in their community and to engage with the services available to them - risk permitting. Promote the achievement of life skills and social skills.

Support the development and ongoing attendance at a service users engagement forum with other professionals.

Give victims a consistent response that allows them to access the service when they are ready.

Work flexibly as required from your allocated office base across your region, including having a regular presence at your local police station.

Provide a short-term crisis intervention service to service users and provide face to face contact, support, information, advice and other help to enable them to recover from their experiences.

Liaise and advocate on behalf of service users with other agencies and professionals with regard to service users' support needs and risks: E.g. DWP, Police, Social Services, Health Services, Mental Health Services, Probation, Substance Misuse, Housing etc; focusing on institutional advocacy, victim rights and victim safety and maintaining the independent status at all times.

Undertake joint visits with multi agencies as necessary, whilst maintaining an independent status.

Support service users to deal with issues that may threaten their tenancy or housing status, especially with matters regarding benefits and household management, health and wellbeing, budgeting skills and anti-social behaviour. Support service users to deal with safety specific issues that may threaten their tenancy or housing status, finances etc.

Offer appropriate levels of support in a sensitive manner, taking into account the emotional and intellectual needs of the service user, respecting their choice and privacy.

Offer short educational talks to multi agencies as requested by the IDVA Service Manager and/or attend IDVA presentations, as directed, with the Service Manager.

Carry out all necessary administrative tasks in relation to the job; ensuring all service user case notes, support plans and risk assessments are kept up to date. Maintain and update accurate written and computer records of all cases within policy time.

Follow SafeLives guidance and be up to date with knowledge on new legislation, laws, and acts.

Monitor and evaluate work undertaken within a performance related framework.

Participate in the IDVA Duty on-call rota.

Comply with, and undertake, all adult and children safeguarding procedures and report any public protection or Safeguarding issues to the IDVA Service Manager.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 23,575.00-24,600.00 per year

Benefits:

Additional leave Company pension On-site parking
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Experience:

Providing high level domestic abuse support or advocacy: 2 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person