Development Officer Jobs
The Women’s Centre Cornwall (TWCC) has grown from its early roots as a Rape Crisis Centre into an innovative, award-winning feminist organisation which provides a wide range of services for women and girls in our communities. Our work with survivors of sexual and domestic violence is our core specialism as we believe that there can be no real gender equality without a complete cessation of violence against women. In addition, we provide community-based activities across Cornwall and support women ex-offenders across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and HMP Eastwood Park in Gloucestershire.
PURPOSE
We are looking for an experienced Support Service Manager make the very best use of our resources and ensure the delivery of dynamic, flexible and innovative trauma-informed support services to women and girls who have experienced sexual and/or domestic abuse. The successful candidate will be responsible for nurturing the team of Coordinators and Team Leaders to provide innovative and creative approaches to delivering best outcomes for survivors, as well as supporting the team in their own individual and professional development. Responsible for the development of new services as well as embedding best practice across all projects, the role will oversee data collection across the services and contribute to the delivery of TWCC OCN accredited training to staff and volunteer as well as external/partner organisations.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Ensure that all women accessing TWCC Support Services receive a high quality, trauma informed service that meets their needs
- To work closely with the Finance Manager and Head of Services to manage multiple funding streams.
- Explore and implement innovative strategies to ensure equitable access to support services for individuals on the waiting list, while creatively managing and reducing waiting times to enhance overall service efficiency.
- Build and lead an effective and motivated team, promoting a culture of empowerment, continuous improvement and trauma-informed care
- Oversee effective management of the waiting list and find ways to manage effectively by improving existing systems and procedures
- Act as a Safeguarding Lead for the organisation, leading on Safeguarding compliance amongst the Support Services team, take safeguarding decision and support Team Leaders and Coordinators in safeguarding situations as well other members of the organisation
- Work within TWCC guidelines to ensure the trauma informed support services are safe, effective, responsive and ethical for all women accessing support services
- Support continued development of a positive data culture within the organisation, ensuring data collection is of a high standard across the projects and matches the requirements of funders and commissioners
- Completion of internal and external reports including narratives, case studies and data analysis
- Working closely with the CEO and Development Manager to identify and secure additional funding
- Leading service and intervention implementations and transformations, scaling up or down as required
- Working closely with Impact Manager to fully analyse the effectiveness of interventions for different cohorts of women and girls in line with our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB).
- To support the volunteering function of the organisation, its development and continued involvement in services
- To champion Lived Experience voices within the Specialist Support Service and ensure the continued development of comprehensive progression pathways for women and girls with lived experience.
- Leading on implementation of agreed annual service development plans within the service including EDIB objectives
- Represent the service at key operational and strategic meetings, locally, regionally and nationally
- Leading effective partnership working including referral pathways and managing sub-contractors and working with lead partners
- Ensuring that the service upholds very high standards of confidentiality and is fully compliant with all GDPR requirements
This role will be hybrid working, with time split between the Bodmin office and home.
TWCC values diversity and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, especially from groups with a protected characteristic such as black and minoritised women, who are currently under-represented at TWCC.
TWCC are a Disability Confident employer and our premises are fully wheelchair accessible.
This post is open to women only in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1
Our vision is a world in which women and girls are safe, respected and empowered to fulfil their potential free from violence, inequality & oppression
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Location: Hybrid working: a combination of working from home and being based at Rising Sun Offices in Canterbury
Responsible to: Head of Adult Services
Probation Period: 6 months
Benefits: 25 days holiday pro rata, bank holidays, plus 3% matched pension contribution, employee health cash plan and discounts scheme
Please note: This post is restricted to women under schedule 9, Part 1, Equalities Act 2010.
OVERVIEW
Rising Sun Domestic Violence and Abuse Service (the Rising Sun) is an independent charity in Kent working to prevent domestic abuse and improve the lives of survivors and their children suffering from its effects. We have an ambitious vision for a world in which women and children live free from actual or threatened domestic abuse and all forms of violence.
Our team provide a range of services to adults and children who’ve experienced domestic abuse. We understand the impact of domestic abuse on survivors and so we listen to individual needs and respond in a trauma informed way. We provide one-to-one support and also deliver therapeutically informed group programmes to help survivors to recognise healthy/unhealthy behaviours in relationships and to understand the impact of domestic abuse. Bringing survivors together validates experiences and enables them to draw strength from one another.
We are looking for a creative and proactive individual who has experience of supporting survivors of domestic abuse. Working with survivors of domestic abuse as an outreach worker, you will play a crucial role in advocacy, risk assessment, safety planning and empowerment.
As part of our passionate and committed team of approximately 45 staff, our aspiration is that you will thrive and develop in this varied role. You will be contributing to the invaluable work of the Rising Sun and making a lasting difference to the lives of those who are impacted by domestic abuse.
JOB PURPOSE
- To provide practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic abuse, including crisis intervention, risk assessment and safety planning.
- To develop individual support plans, which address the risk of harm and offer information, advocacy, advice and signposting to survivors, underpinned by individual risk and need.
- To empower survivors, thereby increasing self- esteem, reducing isolation and helping survivors to keep safe.
- To provide survivors with information relating to their rights and ensuring survivors are empowered to make decisions based on their options.
- To work in collaboration with the adult team and wider Rising Sun team to support other programmes delivered within the organisation.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Service delivery
- Work as part of a team providing high quality support, advice, advocacy and information to survivors of domestic abuse.
- Manage a caseload in accordance with organisational policies and procedures and adhere to confidentiality.
- Work in a needs led way with a specific focus on a trauma informed approach, which recognises domestic abuse and its impact.
- Work holistically with survivors, recognising individual needs, and help survivors to recognise and build on their strengths and abilities to build self-esteem and resilience.
- Offer support face to face or remotely, via phone or video call, depending on the needs of the survivor and current guidance around social distancing.
- Attend regular supervision and appraisals with line-manager.
- Work effectively in partnership with other agencies and refer on appropriately, dependant on need and risk. This may include referral to specialist agencies, to other specialist DVA services or other external processes (for example MARAC).
- Assess risk to individuals on a regular basis using the DASH risk indicator checklist.
- Work with survivors to develop tailored support plans with a focus on reducing the risk of harm, increasing their personal safety (and that of any children) and responding to their individual needs.
- Support survivors to be able to identify and manage the risks to themselves and their children
- Provide information to survivors in relation to their options, including guidance in relation to their housing, legal and welfare rights and advocate on their behalf as required.
- Encourage service users’ participation in service development, continuous improvement and feedback exercised.
- Represent the Rising Sun at relevant community meetings and forums.
- Support Rising Sun’s community services including our One Stop Shop drop in service and group programmes.
- Maintain up to date and accurate records and ensure, reports and evaluations are completed as required.
- Work as part of a team, supporting colleagues and building positive working-relationships with team members.
- Contribute to wider team meetings and discussions to share learning and feed into organisational developments.
- Be willing and available to work some evenings and weekends as required to support wider team activities such as representing Rising Sun at events (time off in lieu can be taken by arrangement with your line manager).
General
- At all times work professionally and to a high standard, setting an example to the wider team and external partners.
- A good knowledge and understanding of using IT programmes such as Word and Excel.
- Complete administrative tasks and ensure paperwork and evaluations are kept up to date.
- Demonstrate a commitment to continued professional development, being responsible for personal learning and keeping up to date on research, relevant legislation, policy and practice, and other literature relevant to the role.
- At all times protect the safety and security of the Rising Sun, service users, staff, volunteers and buildings, and the confidentiality of records and other information.
- Uphold the rights of women, children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse, and proactively assess the gender specific, trauma informed needs and the safety of children and women to ensure that any risks/needs identified are addressed, having full regard to Rising Sun Safeguarding Children policy and Safeguarding Adults policy.
- Be proactive and solution focussed while paying attention to detail.
- Participate in supervision, training and meetings as required.
- Ensure the effective implementation of Rising Sun’s policies and procedures and uphold the core values of the Rising Sun.
- Work across teams and undertake such other duties, appropriate to the grade and nature of the work, as may reasonably be expected.
This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time when it was drawn up and will be reviewed from time to time. Duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and cannot of themselves justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Knowledge and Qualifications
- An accredited VAWG/domestic abuse qualification, e.g. IDVA / DAPA (Desirable).
- Good understanding of the impact of domestic violence and trauma on survivors, children and young people, families and communities.
- Knowledge of issues affecting survivors, and an understanding of the barriers they may face in accessing support.
- Thorough knowledge of safeguarding practice, procedures and legislation.
- Good understanding of the operation of the agencies working together to support survivors such as social services, police etc.
Experience
- Experience of working with survivors affected by domestic and sexual abuse.
- Experience of managing own case load, working under pressure and prioritising workload.
- Experience of risk assessment and management, and safety planning.
- Experience of multi-agency partnership work.
- Experience of facilitating group programmes. (Desirable)
- Experience of working for a charity or not for profit organisation. (Desirable)
Skills
- Excellent listening, written and verbal communication skills.
- Non-judgemental and non-directive approach to empowering survivors along with the ability to understand the individual needs of clients.
- Effective crisis management, negotiation, advocacy and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work well within a team and responsibly on own initiative.
- Good task management skills and the ability to work effectively under pressure and to deadlines.
- Good data collection, monitoring and IT skills, including word processing and using databases and Excel spreadsheets.
General
- Able to work co-operatively with colleagues, statutory and non-statutory agencies.
- Able to set clear boundaries and a willingness to accept line management and make effective use of clinical supervision.
- A good understanding of the importance of confidentiality, safe practice and health and safety procedures.
- A good understanding of cultural issues, and commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities.
- A firm commitment to women, children’s and young people’s rights and to work within Rising Sun framework and its core values.
- Able to travel independently across East Kent to meet survivors and attend meetings.
- Willingness to carry out the policies and procedures of the Rising Sun and to work to agreed guidelines and codes of conduct.
Equal Opportunities Statement
Rising Sun is an equal opportunities employer. We recognise intersecting identities, and value what having a diverse team brings, both in terms of effectively responding to client needs, and engaging with each other at work. We encourage applicants from all sections of the community; especially from minority groups/groups with a protected characteristic such as B.A.M.E., who are currently underrepresented at Rising Sun. We are disability-friendly, and flexible working is available in the majority of roles. We strive to offer accommodations to all applicants who need them.
Our vision is a world in which all women and children live free from actual or threatened domestic abuse and all forms of violence.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
This role is part of the Wiltshire Project which provides individual and family support to domestic abuse for victims and their children.
Working with children and young people, the team will focus on delivering timely and high quality, trauma informed support to children who have been the victims of domestic abuse.
The exciting post will be working with children who have experienced or been affected by domestic abuse. Focusing on standard and medium risk cases, this role will provide practical and emotional support to children and young people, with an emphasis on early intervention and awareness raising.
This is a fixed term contract to November 2025.
Key tasks and responsibilities include:
- To provide high quality, specialist support to children who have lived in a domestically abusive family.
- Enabling young people to access statutory and other services where appropriate.
- Managing a caseload and working proactively to support young people and their families
- To deliver educational, time-bound, 1 to 1 support sessions for children and young people.
- Provide specialist support to child victims, with a focus on empowering young people to make informed decisions.
- Ensure that children and young people have a thorough understanding of what constitutes a ‘healthy relationship’.
- Undertake risk assessments and implement robust safety management plans.
- Give practical and emotional support to children affected by domestic abuse.
- Work closely with multi-agency partners and the wider Wiltshire team to ensure that we maintain a focus on risk management and safeguarding.
- Work with your team and manager to develop early intervention resources.
- Engaging with and supporting the MARAC and MASH process, to ensure that the voice of victims is heard.
In addition, there will be the opportunity to work with the team and manager to develop and deliver new group work provision for young people.
This role will be based in our Trowbridge office, with a requirement to travel across Wiltshire. FearFree supports staff to work flexibly, with an ability to work in a hybrid fashion, both at home and in the office.
Key responsibilities:
- Manage a caseload of low to medium risk children and young people, predominantly through face to face appointments but also utilising virtual technologies.
- Complete an initial assessment of the child’s needs so that you can identify and plan the support needed to address issues and prevent any problems from escalating.
- Assess, manage and review risks to service users, colleagues and self, according to agreed procedures.
- Assess the needs of the child and devise appropriate support and safety plans with due regard to the dynamic nature of risk.
- Work with colleagues, health and social care professionals and multi-agency networks to evaluate caseload needs and the progress that has been made.
- Work directly and proactively with children and young people to help them to understand the impact that Domestic Abuse has had on them.
- Ensure personal safety and that of service users and other staff at all times.
- Respond to emergencies and crises with a focus on the child’s wellbeing and safeguarding.
- Plan and implement activities to promote self-awareness, confidence and participation for children.
- Provide person centred, trauma informed support to all your cases, to empower the young person to make informed choices.
- Enable service users to participate in the design, delivery and evaluation of services.
- Work effectively in partnership with multiple statutory and voluntary agencies to enhance service delivery, safety and safeguarding.
- Respond to a child’s individual learning needs and style, adapting practice as necessary.
- Work closely with schools and education establishments to ensure support offered to service users is appropriate, planned and coordinated.
- Keeping the child’s voice central to all support and decision making wherever possible: taking the time to talk through and work with the individual child’s understanding around safeguarding and why we need to share certain things.
- Act as duty officer for Wiltshire, responding to incoming calls, logging referrals and making assigned outgoing calls, according to the duty rota. Duty shifts will be 9 – 5 in the Trowbridge Office.
- To understand and work effectively within a multi-agency framework, consisting of the MARAC and local partnership responses to domestic abuse, in order to reduce the risk for service users and their families.
- Accompany service users, when needed, to other relevant agencies and support them in their interactions with these agencies.
- To work alongside colleagues to deliver a whole family approach.
- Be proactive with your line manager to carry out periodic case reviews.
- Respect and value the diversity of the community in which the services work in, and recognise the needs and concerns of a diverse range of survivors ensuring the service is accessible to all.
Groups and Activities
- Work with the Childrens and Families Team Manager to develop and deliver, a group work intervention for young people.
- Assist with recruiting children and young people to be involved in the development of groups or activities, providing them with on-going support.
- Run groups for children and young people following a planned programme.
General
- Work at all times in accordance with the requirements of the Lone Working Policy and Procedure.
- Attend and contribute to team meetings.
- Update written and computerised records with accurate and clear information.
- Contribute to effective team working with a flexible and pro-active approach, including cover for other team members’ holidays and sickness.
- Undertake agreed training and keep updated on changes in legislation, policy and best practice.
- To support additional duties at your team managers discretion.
Responsibilities
- Appropriately manage highly confidential information relating to vulnerable people.
- Ensure security of data, especially sensitive personal data, in line with the information security policy.
- Work within FearFree’ Policies and Procedures at all times.
- Be mindful of responsibilities in respect of health and safety. In particular:
o Co-operate at all times with management in the implementation of and adherence to health and safety policy and procedures;
o Take reasonable care for your own safety and for the safety of others who may foreseeably be affected by your actions at work;
o Not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided for the purpose of health and safety at work;
o Report all health and safety concerns to line managers;
o Assist with the completion of the risk assessment programme.
For a full job description/person specification and to apply, please follow the link provided on this website. There is no specific closing date for this role and this vacancy will close once a suitable candidate is found, so early applications are encouraged.
FearFree is committed to encouraging equality and diversity in the workplace. We strive to be a diverse and inclusive place to work where we can all be ourselves and individual differences are recognised and valued.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Main purpose of job: To work in the Navigator team supporting individuals who have or are experiencing sexual violence and or sexual abuse. As a first contact worker, you will act as a gateway to both specialist counselling and advocacy services and additional specialist support services in Essex. You will use your considerable experience to provide a high-quality telephone information and support service.
The support you deliver will help individuals on their pathway to wellbeing, recovery, and social inclusion through building trusting and collaborative relationships. You will guide users to make informed decisions about their own wellbeing, maximising their independence and engaging in appropriate community or clinical resources/interventions.
You will work within a team of first contact navigators under the supervision of a service lead. You will be highly motivated and dedicated, have strong communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to work under minimal supervision.
Start date:As soon as possible (subject to Enhanced DBS Check and satisfactory references).
Salary:£24,496 - £26,845 per annum.
Contract: This contract is until 31st March 2026, with the potential to extend if funding is continued.
Hours: 35 hours per week.
Place of work: CARA premises in Colchester and some remote home working if a suitable environment is available. Some travel to other locations in Essex may be required, particularly during the induction period.
Holiday: 25 days per year, plus additional closure days between Christmas and New Year.
To apply: Please complete the application form, which can be downloaded from our website, explaining how your skills and experience relate to the person specification.
Application deadline: Tuesday 11th June 2024, 10am
Interviews: Tuesday 18th June 2024
Start date: Immediate, subject to receipt of satisfactory references and enhanced DBS check.
Mandatory Training Dates: To be confirmed.
This post is restricted to women applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1
Job Description
The First Contact Navigators play a central role in the CARA team, ensuring that our service users and other agencies receive a high-quality service from the moment of first contact. You will work as part of a wider team of First Contact Navigators across Esse and the post liaises with clients, the CARA team and external agencies, providing advice, support and information.
The First Contact Navigator will engage with individuals who are experiencing, or who have experienced, sexual violence and or sexual abuse who require information, signposting and short-term support. You will be the first contact and conduct first meetings, managing your own caseload and co-ordinating personalised support for individuals on their pathway to wellbeing. You will have strong communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to work under minimal supervision. You will support people who use CARA services to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, maximising their independence and engaging in appropriate community or clinical resources. You will work collaboratively with service users, the CARA team and other professional agencies to navigate and coordinate services.
The main responsibilities of the post are:
· To act as a first point of contact for new referrals and enquiries, providing information, emotional support, advice and signposting.
· To complete first contact calls and assessments with clients over the telephone.
· To ensure information about new referrals/enquiries is accurately recorded on CARA’s database in real time.
· To work collaboratively and build trust with service users, agencies, personal and professional support networks to collate relevant information to effect individualised support requirements.
· To assess and engage service users not currently engaged in appropriate specialist sexual violence services.
· To seek and respond to referrals from a variety of internal and external sources.
· To assist survivors and relatives/supporters of survivors in understanding the range of resources and services available to them.
· To support service users to engage effectively with appropriate services to meet their individual needs and aspirations.
· To work as a link between clients, CARA staff and external agencies, ensuring appropriate information is passed on.
· To work closely with the Essex-wide team of First Contact Navigators and Information and Referral Coordinators to ensure effective referral processes across Essex.
· To act as a point of contact for external agencies making referrals to CARA, answering queries about our referral process.
· To cover the enquiry line and the office phone and deal with enquiries as required.
· To pro-actively promote CARA’s services to external agencies, ensuring they are aware of our referral procedures.
· To contribute to development of promotional information, to ensure information about the referral process is clear and accessible.
· To attend regular team meetings and to work with colleagues to further the objectives of CARA.
· To adhere in full to all CARA’s organisational policies and procedures, including safeguarding procedures.
· To report to the Service Development Manager, Head of Operations, CEO and Trustees as required, including the production of regular written reports.
· To be administratively self-servicing.
· To undertake any other related activities as required by the Head of Operations, CEO or the Chair of the Board of Trustees.
· To take on new client, office and administration responsibilities as CARA develops.
About CARA
CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) works with victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, providing independent, specialist support and promoting and representing their rights and needs.
CARA is a registered charity working with adults of all genders, young people and children from across mid and north Essex. We have a head office in Colchester and outreach premises in Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton-on-Sea, Great Dunmow and Harwich. We also provide remote services.
CARA seeks to be an inclusive organisation that actively encourages, supports and values diversity amongst both our service-users and our workers. We wish to create a culture in which discrimination, in all its forms, is recognised and addressed.
You can read more about CARA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion here. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds.
About Synergy Essex
CARA is part of Synergy Essex – the Essex Rape and Sexual Abuse Partnership. We work closely with SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis) to deliver the contract for the Office for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex for services for victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse across Essex.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.