What’s my CV Worth?
Find out what your CV is worth in the third sector and get tips on how to improve it using our new instant CV worth checker.
Check my CV-172x129.jpg)
Independent Domestic Violence Advocate
Location: Warwickshire
Salary: £25,104 per annum
Refuge is the UK’s largest provider of specialist services and we are proud to be a leader in our field and an employer of choice, with leading edge systems for supervision, quality management and development.
The independent domestic violence advocate will work closely with victims of domestic abuse from the point of crisis, to provide high quality independent advocacy and support to survivors of domestic abuse at the highest risk and their children. This will involve establishing and prioritising the risks to and the needs of survivors of domestic abuse and developing and delivering individual support and risk management plans in partnership with other agencies who attend the MARAC.
The post holder will empower survivors by providing them with emotional, practical and personal welfare support. The job involves ensuring that women are provided with a safe, supportive and welcoming environment and enabling them to access their rights, make decisions and increase their life options. The job involves informing survivors of the full range of civil, criminal and practical options that might increase their safety.
The successful candidate will have significant proven experience of providing emotional and practical support to survivors of domestic violence. You will understand the legal system in how it relates to survivors of domestic violence and have strong communication skills to deliver presentations and reports to stakeholders effectively. An ability to work independently and prioritise a busy workload is essential.
All candidates must demonstrate a commitment to the feminist values of empowerment and equality which underpin all of our work. Successful applicants will be expected to work within Refuge’s Values and Behaviour Framework and demonstrate these in their everyday work.
Refuge offers: a competitive salary with annual progression within points of the salary grade; 28 days annual leave increasing to 30 days; a pension scheme that includes a 6% employer contribution; as well as a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.
Closing Date: 9.00am Monday 1st November 2021
Interview Date: Tuesday 9th November 2021
An enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) certificate will be required for this role.
Refuge is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. This post however is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.
At Refuge, we believe that no-one should have to live in fear of violence and abuse. On any given day Refuge supports almost 6,000 clients, hel... Read more
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:
o 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
o Working closely with practice champions in each practice
o 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
Page 2 of 3
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:
o Maintaining BSWA communication records
o Following safety procedures
o 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 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 maintain an awareness of the issues surrounding domestic violence on a national and
local level
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
Job Purpose:
To provide refuge cover overnight and ensure the safety and security of the residents and refuge building, including admitting and settling in new residents.
Duties and Responsibilities Administration:
To work within BSWA’s administrative and financial systems. To ensure that adequate records are kept for all service users. 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 keep inventories of all refuge contents.
Communication:
To ensure that all staff team members are aware of any matters that are relevant to the welfare and security of the refuge, staff, volunteers and service users by: a) maintaining BSWA communication records b) following safety procedures c) carrying out risk assessments in conjunction with your line manager d) attending appropriate team and project meetings To attend training relevant to the post in agreement with your line manager. To attend support and supervision sessions with your line manager.
Premises and Equipment:
To ensure that the appropriate agreements related to tenancies are completed. To ensure that house rules and fire safety procedures are read and understood by new tenants and that all residents comply with them. To carry out health and safety checks to ensure the building is secure at all times, maximising the safety of residents and staff. To prepare rooms for new residents, ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements. To ensure the refuge is clean and tidy overnight To ensure that the refuge revenue is collected by completing housing benefit forms and all personal contributions are collected on a weekly basis, in advance. To report to your line manager any difficulties in relation to the collection of rent and other charges.
Support Work:
Devise and implement appropriate methods of communication with women and children living in refuge, in agreement with your line manager. To take out of hours referrals, including an initial risk assessment To welcome and settle women and children into the refuge, familiarising them with the building. To respond to emergency situations arising within the refuge out of hours, including during the sleep-in period.
General:
To maintain the confidentiality of the women, young people and children using the service. To maintain confidentiality in all matters relating to the organisation. To offer an equal service to all women and children regardless of age, class, culture, language, race, religion and sexual orientation, adhering to BSWA’s framework for equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice. To adhere to Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures, and Adult Safeguarding procedures throughout. To ensure the efficient use of resources at all times. To work within BSWA policies and procedures and demonstrate a commitment to the values and ethos of BSWA. To participate in the development and annual appraisal of a personal individual development plan with the line manager. To undertake any other duties required by BSWA, which may arise incidentally, develop, or be assigned commensurate with the post.