- 25.5hrs per week
- £28,579 (pro rata)
Job Purpose:
The IDVA will be part of our team within the Norfolk Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (NIDAS), which is a community-based service providing an 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 purpose of the role is to work in 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 Conferences (MARACs) and The Sanctuary Scheme, if appropriate as part of the NIDAS team.
You will work alongside a caseload of our service users to ensure that they feel safe, 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.
Responsible to: NIDAS Senior Independent Domestic Abuse Advisor
Duties and responsibilities:
- To be the specialist lead within NIDAS for people who have disabilities.
- 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 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.
- Participate in facilitation of group programmes within the service, supporting colleagues and service users to create and contribute to an environment that makes participation safe, supportive, and fulfilling. Similarly, support group programmes and activities including drop-ins at other services to support service users in the community.
- Comply with all Health & Safety policy and procedures and carry out activities in a safe manner.
- 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, group or face to face advice and support to service users who have been assessed as high or medium risk.
- To participate in 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.
Requirements:
- An accredited IDVA qualification or working towards one.
- Driving Licence, Business insurance and ability to travel across Norfolk.
- 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 using risk assessment tools for victims of domestic abuse
- Knowledge of legislation around safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, engaging with service users, colleagues, and partners.
- IT skills including use of Microsoft Office, Teams, case management systems, and databases.
- 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 requirements:
- An accredited IDVA qualification or willingness to work towards one, as training will be provided commensurate with the post.
- Experience of using risk assessment tools for victims of domestic abuse.
- Experience of delivering talks and presentations to people with disabilities and professionals.
- An understanding of a strengths-based and trauma informed approach to support.
- An understanding of the impact of domestic abuse on people with disabilities.
- 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.