Job Description

Senior Independent Domestic Abuse Advisor (Idva) - Kings Lynn & West Norfolk and North Norfolk

Responsible for

IDVAs, Volunteers

Direct Reports

Senior Operations Manager

Job Purpose

The Senior Idva will lead a confidential, safe, and supportive team, within the Norfolk Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (NIDAS). Supervising and guiding the team, overseeing employee performance and making critical decisions on a day-to-day basis regarding cases are all part of the senior role.

The Senior Idva will provide effective, safe, supportive, and confidential support for service users aged 16 plus and their families including children aged 5-18, who are assessed as high or medium risk, and living with or fleeing domestic abuse.

The Senior Idva will work within a multi-agency framework providing a range of support to reduce the risk of further harm posed to service users and support them to safely engage with criminal justice proceedings, Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Coordination (MARACs), the Sanctuary Scheme and Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) processes.

You will work alongside our service users to ensure that they feel safe and are happy with the service they are receiving and have the widest opportunities available to them to enhance their lives and improve their safety and wellbeing. You will ensure they receive an excellent level of support that uses a strengths-based and trauma informed approach and is centred around their aims and aspirations.

You will participate in the rota system providing cover over 7 days a week and represent the service by providing presentations and attending events as required.

Your role will work alongside the NIDAS Service Manager supporting the NIDAS Partnership Board in working towards the best possible outcomes for our service users and stakeholders, including collating and reporting on data.

You will provide support for a caseload of the high/medium risk service users, and for the monitoring of case management/ quality assessment of cases in line with accredited standards for your team.

This role is subject to a DBS and enhanced Police security clearance.

Full and accredited Idva training will be provided where necessary to give the skills and knowledge required for the role (subject to successful completion of probationary period).

Full and accredited Level 3 management training will be provided where necessary (subject to successful completion of probationary period).

Key Strategic Responsibilities

To work within a multi-agency framework and environment, safeguarding adults and children. Promote Equality, Diversity, Fairness, and Inclusion at all times. Promote a 'Team NIDAS' culture across the service delivery. Ensure that our service users voices are central to all aspects of service delivery and is evidenced through safety and support planning, risk assessment and reviews. Supervise a team of community and family Idva's and work collaboratively with colleagues throughout the NIDAS Partnership to deliver our visions, values and objectives. Be innovative in identifying methods to successfully engage with people across a wide range of backgrounds and with diverse needs. Look for opportunities to improve and develop services that we offer. To promote collaboration and multi-agency working for service users and maintain up to date knowledge of local services to enable recovery. Support our service users to link into statutory, health and social care services to maximise their wellbeing and recovery. Support the partnership colleagues as required. Supporting the Service Manager to implement NIDAS' strategy on consultation and service user involvement to ensure that all service users are able to participate and contribute to the development of the NIDAS service.

Key Functional Responsibilities

Support the Service Manager to implement, recruit and develop the service. Support the staff to build a relationship with each service user and engage at their pace and in their preferred way; taking a service user led, flexible approach to providing practical and emotional support and advocacy. To manage a restricted case load of the high/medium risk cases, and regularly review support and safety needs in line with the accredited standards. Facilitate a holistic assessment with each service user, building a relationship and creating a personalised support plan that incorporates risk and safety, and builds on their strengths and needs. Comply with all Health & Safety policy and procedures and carry out activities in a safe manner. To write and record reports for funding requirements and maintain accurate and thorough case records. Comply within Data Protection and GDPR legislation and best practice. To offer a flexible service over 7 days a week to ensure referrals reach the NIDAS IDVA service as part of a NIDAS Rota system. To offer telephone, virtual, or face to face advice and support to service users who have been assessed as high or medium risk. To chair MARAC meetings and service user groups as required. To liaise with other teams within the NIDAS partnership to ensure seamless handover of service between the triage service and other teams within NIDAS. To track cases through the Police, CPS, court and other systems to ensure service users have accurate and up to date information in compliance with the GDPR, confidentiality and data protection. To provide or coordinate support for criminal justice trials as required. To ensure that all Safeguarding issues and concerns are reported and dealt with in accordance with organisational policy and procedure, Legislation, and best practice. To promote and work within the policies and guidelines of NIDAS and employing organisations.

Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

Essential

An accredited IDVA qualification or working towards one. Driving licence, Business insurance and ability to travel across Norfolk

Desirable

An accredited IDVA management qualification NVQ level 3 in management or be prepared to work towards.

Experience

Essential

Experience of supervising staff. Experience of working in a voluntary or statutory agency for a minimum of two years with victims of domestic abuse. Experience of public speaking and advocating for victims. Experience of working within the multi-agency environment. Experience of recording information. Experience of using risk assessment tools for victims of domestic abuse.

Desirable

Experience of writing reports.

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

Knowledge of legislation around safeguarding vulnerable adults and children. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, engaging with service users, colleagues, and partners. Inquisitive and problem solving. A commitment to seeking new ways of working to achieve positive outcomes. A clear understanding of Data Protection, confidentiality, and data sharing protocols. An understanding of a strengths-based and trauma informed approach to support. An understanding of the impact of domestic abuse on young people, children, and families

Desirable

Excellent IT skills including use of Microsoft Office, Teams, case management systems, and databases.

Values

Essential

Reliable, enthusiastic, non-judgmental, and understanding. Ability to be flexible and work independently, or as part of a team Ability to respond calmly in sometimes pressured situations. Respect and value the diversity of the community and recognise the needs and concerns of a diverse range of survivors ensuring the service and your approach is accessible to all. Always seek to expand your learning and undertake all training and development essential for this role.
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 15 months

Pay: 31,380.00 per year

Application question(s):

Please outline how you meet the Person specification for the post.
Experience:

supporting domestic abuse survivors: 2 years (required) Team management: 1 year (preferred) Case management: 3 years (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in King's Lynn PE30 3AY