Advocate (Violence Against Women and Girls)

VAWG ADVOCATE JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:   VAWG Advocate

SALARY: Scale: £26,873.00 to £29,777.00 dependent on level of experience.

HOURS: 35 Hours

 LINE MANAGER: Assistant Director

TERM: Until 31st August 2025  (extension is subject to funding)

 LOCATION: Greater Manchester, based at Safety4Sisters office.

 

ABOUT SAFETY4SISTERS

Safety4Sisters (S4S) is a specialist Black and minoritised by and for women’s organisation based in Manchester. Our aim is to promote the human rights of migrant women experiencing a spectrum of gendered violence by providing a trauma informed, specialist, holistic and integrative programme of support to Black and minoritised survivors with NRPF. Support is underpinned by the following strands of services and activities; culturally competent advocacy, welfare and destitution support, a specialist refuge dedicated to migrant women with NRPF, therapeutic activities, groups and training, social activities, a helpline for both professionals and women, grassroots campaigning, and strategic advocacy.

 

JOB PURPOSE

 To provide information, advice, support and advocacy work on all  forms  of  gender  based  violence faced by migrant women,  including  forced  marriage,  rape  and  sexual  abuse,  honour  based  crimes  and  related  issues  such  as  immigration/asylum  and  no  recourse  to  public  funds,  matrimonial  and  children,  housing  and  homelessness,  mental  health  and  financial  matters.  Your  casework  will  focus  on  women  with  complex  needs. 

Please note we will also consider applicants that do not have significant experience in this sector as there will be training & development opportunity once in post.

 MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

1.          Provide  a  professional  high-­quality  VAWG  advocacy  service to women accessing outreach support and to women residing in our refuge.

2.          Undertake  casework  and  advocacy  (this  will  include  liaising  with  relevant  professionals  and  agencies  such  as  solicitors,  social  workers,  police  officers  etc.) 

3.          Provide  practical  support  such  as  accompanying  women  to  appointments  and  courts,  making  reports  to  such  agencies  or  collecting  belongings  and  otherwise  taking  all  necessary  steps  to  ensure  the  general  safety  and  wellbeing  of  women  and  children. 

4.          Write  assessment  reports  and  support  letters,  and  under  supervision,  help  to  collect  evidence  and  statements,  as  well  as  undertake  some  basic  legal  representation.   

5.          Undertake   risk   assessments   for   referral   to   the   Multi-­Agency   Risk   Assessment   Conferences  (MARACs) 

6.          Establish  links  with  key  partners  [local  authority,  police,  health,  schools,  etc.]  to  ensure  effective  referral  routes  and  information  sharing  protocols.   

7.          Assist in the running of the Lotus Hub, including covering the Helpline when required and providing follow on advocacy to Lotus Hub service users.

8.          Assist  in  developing  and  meeting  quality  standards  in  relation  to  advice  and  casework.  This  includes  administration  and  IT  systems  for  advice  and  casework. 

9.          Assist migrant women to access immigration advice, and assist in meeting their housing needs.   

10.       To  undertake  campaigning  and  policy  work  arising  from  the  advice  and  casework  (this  may  involve  some  weekend/evening  work)   

11.       Where  necessary  to  assist  staff  in  organising  and  running  support  group  activities  and  consultations  for  women  who  are  isolated  and  vulnerable  due  to  their  experiences  of  violence  and  abuse.   

12.       To  publicise  and  provide  S4S  services,  and  attend,  contribute  and  represent  the  organisation  at  relevant  local  meetings  or  initiatives. 

13.       To  support and mentor the Women’s Council.

14.       Follow  S4S policies  and  procedures,  and  maintain  IT  and  case  file  management  systems.   

15.       Contribute  to  S4S  record  keeping  and  provide  information  for  monitoring,  evaluation,  policy,  and  research  and  training  purposes. 

16.       Ensure  women  are  referred  to  S4S  projects  and  activities  as  required  for  example,  counselling or group work.

17.       Be  self-­servicing  and  to  assist  other  workers  when  required. 

18.       Undertake  any  additional  duties  which  will  contribute  to  the  smooth  running  of  the  S4S services  and  projects.     

  GENERAL  DUTIES  AND  RESPONSIBILITIES    

1.    Contribute  to  the  smooth  running  of  the  project  and  activities 

2.    Assist in maintaining high standards in all aspects of the organisations work; including conduct with colleagues, external agencies and service users.

3.    Comply and promote issues of confidentiality, equal opportunities and other policies and procedures of the organisations.

4.    Attend supervision, training and staff, management and team meetings when required.

5.    Promote equality and diversirty in all aspects of Safety4Sisters work.

 

HEALTH AND SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES

1.    Be fully compliant with all Health and Safety legislation. 

2.    Ensure that your work area is maintained in a clean, safe and tidy manner, all equipment is used safely according to instructions, and work is carried to ensure no risk to yourself, other employees and visitors.

 

FLEXIBILITY CLAUSE

In order to deliver services effectively, a degree of flexibility is required, and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. Such duties, however, will fall within the scope of the job at the appropriate grade.

This job description will be subjected to review with the post holder, to ensure that it accurately reflects the duties and range of the post. The aim is to improve the quality of service for Black and minoritised women and all matters relating to their well-being.

When necessary, the post holder may be expected to work evenings and weekends. This time can be claimed back as TOIL.

This post is:

·       subject to Enhanced DBS Disclosure

·       subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.  It will be necessary for a disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and barring Service for details of any previous criminal convictions.

·       open to women* only (*exempt under the Equality Act 2010 Schedule 9, Part 1).