Refuge Advocate

About the Angelou Centre

With over 30 years in service of Black and racialised women and children

The Angelou Centre is a Black-led organisation based in Newcastle. We specialise in supporting Black and racialised women and children at risk of experiencing domestic abuse and other forms of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

We help women, children and young people recover after experiencing violence, abuse or unfair treatment.

We listen, we understand, and we never judge.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your reason for applying and how your past work experiences make you suitability for the role. You can find the full job description on our website - Careers - The Angelou Centre

Deadline: Monday 21st, July

Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time if we receive a high volume of applications or if a suitable candidate is found, therefore we suggest submitting your application as soon as you can.

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.
• Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK
• Open to women* only (*exempt under the Equality Act 2010 Schedule 9, Part 1

The Angelou Centre is aware that women and people of the global majority are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification and requirement. So, if you are excited by the role, but your past experience doesn’t quite match every requirement we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the person we are looking for.

Role Overview

Contract:                           Full-time fixed term for 2 years

                                           with possibility of extension subject to funding  

Salary:                                £23,387 to £27,445.60 (per hour £12.85 to £15.08)

                                           Depending on experience and qualifications

Hours & Days                     35 hours a week

                                        Monday to Fridays 9am to 5pm                                           

Additional benefits          25 days paid holiday,

                                           employer’s pension contribution of 6%,

                                           enhanced maternity leave

 Location:                           Newcastle upon Tyne

As an Advocate within The Angelou Centre you will be part of our front-line team providing emotional and trauma informed support to women and children.  As an Advocate working within Haven team your primary focus is on supporting the women and children living within our refuges.  Refuge Advocates are responsible for providing women and children with continuous one-to-one support, practical advice and advocacy, such as writing referrals for women to access immigration support. Much of this work takes the form of casework, and report writing, as well as ensuring that the women receive comprehensive support that addresses their health, social care, housing, immigration and benefit-related needs.

Refuge Advocate are required to attend police meeting, court hearings, immigration meetings. You will support women with housing benefits as well as ensuring they are attending training classes ran by The Angelou Centre. Working as a Refuge Advocate can be emotional demanding but is a highly rewording role.

Please be aware that this role will require you to sometimes work unsociable hours when rota-ed to be on-call.

Our ideal candidate is someone who;

• Is confident and pro-active in advocating on behalf of our survivors and able to represent their needs when working with partner agencies
• Is compassionate, non-judgmental and committed to supporting survivors of domestic abuse
• Has excellent written skills with some experience of casework within legal, healthcare or an educational setting.
• Has experience of conducting risk and needs assessments within legal, healthcare or an educational setting.

Key Responsibilities

 Advice and Advocacy Support

• Provide tailored, one-to-one continuous support, advice, and advocacy to black and minoritised victims and survivors of domestic abuse and exploitation
• Provide weekly drop-in opportunities for black and racially minoritized women in the local area
• Advocate for women with external agencies and promote social justice.
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with Local Authorities, Children's Social Care and any other relevant voluntary and statutory agencies.
• Ensure that the health, wellbeing and rights of women and children are promoted throughout service delivery.
• To develop specialist knowledge in the area of domestic abuse, immigration abuse and gender-based violence, and how this impacts women from Black and racialized minorities differently, through attendance at relevant training, learning events and conferences

Casework

• Complete regular risk assessment tools for each case supported and risk management plans, including DASH RIC assessments.
• Complete reports, to assist Line Manager in providing detailed reports to funders
• Maintain in depth and up-to-date knowledge of all practice, procedures and policies.
• To deal with complaints, feedback and suggestions and identifying practical solutions to any barriers.
• Provide practical support to women taking all necessary steps to ensure the general safety, protection and wellbeing of women and children.
• Write quality assessment reports and support letters, collect evidence and statements, as well as undertake appropriate representation where necessary.   
• Write quality risk assessments for referral to the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment   Conferences (MARACs) and Child Protection Conferences and to be in attendance when required.
• Assist women with their additional immigration needs, with the ability to work closely and effectively with legal representatives.

General Responsibilities  

• Contribute to the smooth running of The Angelou Centre and our activities   
• Assist in maintaining high standards; including conduct with colleagues, external agencies and service users and complying The Angelou Centre’s confidentiality, equal opportunities  and other policies and procedures 

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 racialized women and all matters relating to their wellbeing.

Person Specification

Experience & Abilities

• Experience of supporting women who have experienced or are at risk of domestic abuse
• Experience of risk and needs assessment, safety and support planning, particularly with clients with complex/multiple needs
• Experience of partnership working and of maintaining excellent working relationships with a range of stakeholders; particularly social care.
• Experience of managing a high caseload
• Strong IT skills with experience around data collection and monitoring
• Excellent written abilities, with some experience within preparing reports for courts, case conference and information for MARAC
• Experience around setting clear professional boundaries with clients and partners
• Ability to work cooperatively within a team and with statutory organisations

Knowledge & Qualifications

• An excellent understanding of sexual violence
• An excellent understanding of UK policies and legislation around domestic abuse
• Good knowledge of UK adult safeguarding practice, procedures and legislation.
• Safeguarding Adults and Children Level 1
• A good understanding of confidentiality and anti-discriminatory practice; safe practice and health and safety procedures

Values & Approach

• Commitment to anti-racist, trauma-informed, and feminist practice.
• Empathy, kindness, and cultural competence, with a commitment to supporting Black and racially minoritised women
• Has a ‘can do’ positive approach with a curious open to learning approach
• Able to work flexibly and respond to crisis situations with a trauma-informed approach
• Able to priorities workload and work independently using your own initiative
• Has a commitment to shared responsibility in a team context approach
• Willingness to undertake training and show a commitment to continuous personal development, reflecting on own practice with a willingness to make changes if needed

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in crisis management
• IDVA and/or ISVA qualification
• An excellent understanding of domestic abuse and of UK policies and legislation around domestic abuse
• Good working knowledge of UK adult safeguarding practice, procedures and legislation.