Independent Domestic Violence Advocate Jobs in Warrington, England

We’re Causeway, the UK-wide charity who believes in the power of lasting change. We take people from existing to living, and empower our service users, including survivors of modern slavery and exploitation, to find their voice and place in society. Since 2005, we have expanded across multiple regions and now provide accommodation and outreach support to hundreds of survivors of modern slavery every year. In 2018, we collaborated with South Yorkshire Police in an initiative called Plan B. This helped to launch the LifeNavigate department. Using, a trauma-informed approach, we are fully committed to breaking the cycle of crime, alongside other organisations such as South Yorkshire Police and Merseyside Police. Our vision is to ensure a thriving future for marginalised and vulnerable people, and it would not be possible without our dedicated team of staff and volunteers.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Male ReFocus Advocate within our LifeNavigate Team based in Merseyside. The aim of this project is to support and signpost individuals who meet relevant criteria and show a motivation to change after being identified as being at potential risk of committing low level Domestic Abuse. A key element of this project is that it is survivor focused and looks to address abusive behaviours at their source, at an early intervention phase, via support and education. This means working with both those who have carried out such acts and those who have been made subject to them. The successful candidate is expected to support a caseload of individuals in order to jointly assess and manage any initial risk and to ensure all safeguarding protocols have been followed. The role is not that of and IDSVA, although some of the skills will overlap, the is to provide on-going support to individuals in areas
of need in which they feel disempowered and hence build confidence and skills. This process will happen in partnership with the organisation DMAT who will run ‘See the signs’ course which will look to educate and equip individuals to feel safe and empowered in this area. You will be working in an agile and responsive team environment and be part of the team providing support and pathways to those who have experienced domestic abuse. When capacity dictates, there will also be a requirement to work with people displaying potentially abusive or coercive behaviours (perpetrators), offering education and support to promote long term change. Due to the nature of working with victims of gender based abuse it’s important we have the flexibility to offer victims the opportunity to be supported by someone of the same gender, because of this we are currently recruiting for a male applicant.

Responsibilities:
• Providing support for individuals who are subject to low level Domestic Abuse (primarily male victims).
• The full time Advocate will oversee up to 16-20 clients of varying levels of support need at any one time.
• To work effectively as a team, including giving responsive feedback and handover information to Line Manager, and colleagues where there is a shared caseload, especially in regard to partnership with DMAT.
• To independently meet deadlines, including accurately recording and logging details of support, documenting relevant service user information and completing other administrative paperwork in adherence to the terms of the contract.
• To risk assess using the DASH model and take appropriate steps to safeguard service users.
• To create and follow individual support plans and ensuring all service users safety and well-being is paramount at all times.
• To arrange appointments for individual service users, and liaise with organisations and individuals regarding service users in a professional manner.
• Signpost service users to appropriate support.
• Supporting service users face to face (where suitable) in an appropriate environment, including using remote sessions where needed.
• To facilitate engagement of service users on the ‘See the Signs’ course, including journey planning and move on strategies, within the required time frame.
• To regularly attend supervision meetings with Line Manager. Adhering to all internal procedures regarding Causeway and any relevant legislation especially with regard to the Domestic Abuse Act (2021).
• When required, to work with perpetrators of low level domestic abuse, facilitating their engagement with the ‘See the Signs’ course, ongoing risk assessment, and provision of holistic support to promote lasting change.
• Promoting Causeway in adherence to the terms of the contract – this may include attending events on behalf of Causeway as a whole.

Any other duties that are commensurate with the role

Job title: Programme Facilitator

Reports to: WomenMATTA Service Manager

Responsible for: N/A

Job Purpose: The project aims to deliver a range of trauma-informed learning and development opportunities to women impacted by the criminal justice system. Delivered in our Manchester and Trafford women’s centres, these gender responsive activities, co-produced with women with lived experience, will provide personal and practical skill development that meets their needs and supports their aspirations around employment or education, including a focus on wellbeing and practical learning.

Key Responsibility Areas

1. Co-ordinate and deliver a schedule of trauma informed and gender responsive workshops that aim to address wellbeing and reduce barriers women impacted by the CJS face in accessing employment or education opportunities.
2. Maintain case management systems to ensure accurate and timely data recording.
3. Develop and maintain relationships with key partners and stakeholders, such as lived experience groups, education, training and employment networks and local services.
4. Create opportunities for women impacted by the criminal justice system to input into the programme, such as co-production, and peer supporters

Employee Benefits:

Annual leave: 30 days plus statutory bank holidays (pro-rata for fixed term contract), and an additional 3 days leave between Christmas and New Year. This means that in a standard year with 8 bank holidays, the full holiday entitlement is 41 days!

Pension scheme: Auto enrolment with 5% contributions from WIP and 3% from employees.

Clinical supervision: Working with WIP can be enormously rewarding, but also challenging at times. So we provide clinical supervision through a Harley Street practice, to encourage reflective practice and support the wellbeing of our team.

Employee Assistance Programme: Confidential access to a range of support and information on a 24/7 basis. Including legal advice, emotional support, practical advice and signposting.

Cycle to Work Scheme: Eligible employees can save money and spread the cost of a new bike and accessories.

Reward Gateway: Access to discounts/cashback services at hundreds of retailers, such as groceries, electronics and holidays. Further access to the Wellbeing Centre with tools, tips, recipes, workout videos and guides which will help you to reach your own wellbeing goals. There are also eCards that you can use to recognise a colleague for their great work, wish someone Happy Birthday and much more.

Eyecare Vouchers: As a staff member of WIP, you will have access to free and reduced prices for glasses and eye tests. Should you require glasses for VDU use, you will get them for free too.