Job Description:

Duties and Responsibilities

Practice-based work

• To deliver training to health care professionals about DVA in participating general practices
• To promote awareness of the experiences and needs of women living with or escaping DVA, particularly in relation to their health

• To develop a good relationship with all general practice staff and work effectively as part of the practice team. This includes:

• provision of systematic support to the primary care teams of participating general practices, including meeting with individuals and small groups of clinical and administrative staff
• Working closely with practice champions in each practice
• Attending relevant meetings

• To further develop effective assessment and monitoring procedures and ensure that clear accurate records are kept and maintained
• To review number of advocate referrals made by clinicians in participating general practices
• To feedback on the use of the electronic template linked to the project (HARKS) and provide patient feedback and case updates /outcomes

Advocacy and support service

• To provide support to women experiencing DVA referred or signposted by primary health care clinicians from participating practices
• To provide direct casework support, advice, information and advocacy to women experiencing DVA through telephone contact, and/or meetings at the relevant practice

• To work with women experiencing DVA to increase their personal safety (and that of any children) and inform them of their rights and options in terms of housing, legal and welfare rights
• To develop good working relationships and liaise with outside agencies when needed. This will include referral to colleagues within the specialist agency, to other specialist DVA services or other external agencies when appropriate
• To keep accurate records of all work done with or on behalf of clients and produce written reports as requested, including a monthly report of referrals from clinicians participating in the IRIS programme and the take up of these referrals advocacy including outputs and patient outcomes
• To contribute to monitoring and evaluation of the project.

Administration and Monitoring

• To work within BSWA’s administrative and financial systems
• To keep accurate records of financial transitions in line with BSWA’s procedures
• To ensure that Health and Safety records are kept up to date
• To monitor and evaluate the service, via various methods including feedback from service users
• To contribute where appropriate to the preparation of returns for funders

· Communication:

• To ensure that all staff team members are aware of any matters that are relevant to the welfare and security of the staff, volunteers and service users by:
  • Maintaining BSWA communication records
  • Following safety procedures
  • Attending team meetings
• To attend in-house training
• To attend support and supervision sessions with your line manager
• To develop a professional working relationship with external agencies
• To be involved in the Annual Review process
• To participate in multi agency work, including delivery of training and awareness sessions, as agreed with your line manager
• To promote awareness of BSWA services and the impact of domestic violence on women and children

· Training:

• To identify and attend training relevant to the post in agreement with your line manager
• To work alongside colleagues to organise in-house training and information sessions on a range of issues for service users
• To participate in the development and annual appraisal of a personal individual development plan with the line manager

· General:

• To work within BSWA policies and procedures and demonstrate a commitment to the values and ethos of BSWA
• To work within BSWA’s framework for equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice and offer an equal service to all women, children and young people regardless of age, class, culture, language, race, religion and sexual orientation
• To maintain the confidentiality of women and children using the service and in all matters relating to the organisation
• To work within BSWA and local multi-agency safeguarding procedures
• To adhere to Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures, and Adult Safeguarding procedures throughout.
• To maintain an awareness of the issues surrounding domestic violence on a national and local level
• To work within the principles and standards of Birmingham DV Standards and support Birmingham Violence Against Women Strategy
• To ensure the efficient use of resources at all times
• To undertake any other duties required by BSWA, which may arise incidentally, develop, or be assigned commensurate with the post