Early Help – Independent Specialist Domestic Violence & Development Officer (IDVA), Oldham #0008E9921

Job Description

Please be aware this is a Long Term Temporary post to start ASAP.

Job Purpose: 

To act as an independent advocate to ensure that victims of domestic violence are at the heart of the service and the voice of the child is heard where domestic violence is a factor in their household.

To lead on the provision of high quality bespoke interventions for high and medium risk victims of domestic violence, using the Early Help Assessment tool in conjunction with the DASH risk assessment to determine need.

To support and develop all staff teams within the Early Help Service to be enable the delivery of  domestic violence interventions for standard risk cases as part of the Early Help outcomes framework.

To provide specialist advice, guidance and training to staff of all disciplines within organisations within the Community Safety and Cohesion Partnership.

Key Tasks:

Engagement and case work

1. To respond dynamically to the needs of high and medium risk victims of domestic violence, differentiating support according to the needs of the victim.
2. To offer a pro-active premium practical support service to high risk victims of domestic violence.
3. To refer victims identified as high risk into the MARAC process and to attend MARAC to advocate on their behalf to ensure their needs and wishes are reflected in action plans.
4. To undertake joint visits with police officers to high risk or repeat victims of domestic violence to encourage engagement with services.
5. To engage with individuals and families who have been identified as high or medium risk victims of domestic violence, to keep themselves and their children safe, including safety planning and to develop bespoke service plans to reduce the identified risks.
6. To undertake dynamic evaluations which explore; family history, family functioning, interpersonal relationships, behaviour management (self and family) barriers to education and work, barriers to independence and self-management.
7. To explain housing, civil and criminal legal, including immigration options to victims and provide advice on the preparation of applications for public funding and protective orders.
8. To support victims through the criminal and civil justice systems, explaining the procedures and their role and rights within those systems.
9. To act as an independent advocate on behalf of the victim to ensure they get the services from partner agencies, to which they are entitled, and to assist them in developing their own support network.
10. To identify and agree with household members a set of achievable and measurable outcomes using the Early Help Assessment tool, alongside any risk management plan.
11. To identify and agree with household members a set of actions to achieve those outcomes.
12. To record agreed actions on a practical and understandable plan.
13. To challenge household members, where appropriate, about behaviours which have become barriers to their own independence and self-management.
14. To understand the legal framework relating to the protection of children, including the policies and procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board.
15. To escalate to management any cases where there are ongoing safeguarding or risk management concerns.
16. To ensure any recommendations from Domestic Homicide Reviews are embedded into service provision.
17. To deliver group programs for victims of domestic violence.

Support and Development

1. To provide specialist support to all the Early Help teams to ensure they are able to deliver interventions where standard risk cases of domestic violence have been identified, through co-working cases, and providing specialist advice and training as required.
2. To provide specialist advice, support and consultancy for internal teams or external agencies working with households where there may be a risk of, or undisclosed domestic abuse.
3. To attend MARAC, MAPPA meetings and Child Protection Conferences in high risk cases.
4. To promote and work to, the aims and objectives of the Domestic Violence Strategy.

Please be aware this is a Long Term Temporary post to start ASAP.

You must have:

• Post qualified experience.
• Enhanced DBS/Update service.
• References required for the last 5 years of employment.

Benefits of working with Semester.co.uk:

• Free on-going training opportunities upon registering as part of our commitment to you.
• Competitive Rates of pay
• In house payroll, providing weekly payments and support
• Enhanced DBS completed.
• Support and expert advice from an approachable, dedicated and friendly team
• An assigned dedicated & experienced consultant
• Various employment opportunities in your preferred geographical area

If you would like to find out more information about this role, or the other opportunities Semester.co.uk have available feel free to click the ‘Apply' button**