Staying Put and Domestic Violence Services (Keighley) Independent Domestic Violence Advisor JOB DESCRIPTION

Transcription

1 Staying Put and Domestic Violence Services (Keighley) Independent Domestic Violence Advisor JOB DESCRIPTION POST: Independent Domestic Abuse Advisor (IDVA) This information is designed to help staff understand and appreciate their role within the organisation. The following points should be noted. 1. Whilst every endeavour has been made to outline all the duties and responsibilities of the post, a document such as this does not permit every item to be specified in detail. Broad headings therefore may have been used which assume that all the usually associated routines are included. 2. Staff should not refuse to undertake any work which is not specified on this form. Prime objectives To provide a high-quality and pro-active front-line service to victims of domestic abuse; delivering a pathway of care focussing on safety and protection to those at highest risk of domestic homicide. Initiate, develop, maintain and monitor multi-agency links through procedures and protocols to keep safety central to all services for victims of domestic abuse. Supporting and participating in the local Multi-agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC) and Specialist Domestic Violence Courts (SDVC) Responsible To Accountable to their line manager in the first instance, the senior management team and ultimately to the Board of Directors Conditions of Service Please refer to the relevant organisations Terms and Conditions information at the end of this document Personal Responsibilities 1. To be familiar with the aims and objectives of the organisation. 2. To respect, support and work within all the organisation s policies and procedures. Approved May

2 3. To work together with all members of the organisation in the overall development of the Organisation. 4. To undertake appropriate supervision and professional training as required. 5. To remain up to date on all legal and practice issues relating to the role. Responsibility for Assets, Materials etc. 1. To be responsible for ensuring that resources and materials relating to the business of the organisation are kept, up to date, accessible and appropriate for a range of service users and other providers. 2. Responsible for the safekeeping of keys, cash, office materials, equipment and files. 3. To ensure that all records are kept securely and in line with Data Protection Act and Staying Put Confidentiality Policy. Range of Duties 1. To act as first point of contact for referrals from Criminal justice services, MARAC and other organisations requesting assistance for service users assessed as high risk of domestic homicide. 2. To ensure appropriate and effective delivery of services to service users, including risk assessment, safety planning, advice, referrals to other agencies and MARAC. 3. In the absence of a pre-assessment, to undertake a comprehensive risk assessment in order to establish levels risk, assist in the development of immediate safety plans and determine further needs re referral to MARAC, arranging for the installation of security features and safety measures as necessary or signposting to other specialist services. 4. To ensure that the service complies with the legal framework that protects the safety of children including the Local Safeguarding Children s Board policies and procedures and the practical implications of this are understood. 5. To carry a case load, providing short to medium term support, focusing on safety planning, practical safety measures and the use of civil and criminal justice systems in order to increase protection and support the transition of women and children from the violent situation into safe and independent living Approved May

3 6. To attend MARAC s and SDVC s. 7. To develop protocols and effective referral procedures between the IDVA service and other services (within and outside the organisation) including the MARAC. 8. To ensure that the longer term or additional needs of the client and any children are addressed via referral to or joint working arrangements with services internal/external to the organisation. 9. To ensure that role of IDVA s are kept central to multi-agency work 10. To develop links with other agencies, both individually and collectively particularly the Police Safeguarding Unit and Courts. 11. To support your line manager in implementing and coordinating systems for case management and to ensure that those systems work effectively 12. To keep written records and statistical information in order to meet the data requirements of the organisation and the IDVA Service. 13. To ensure accurate and complete records are kept of work with clients 14. To take responsibility for the continuing professional development of self 15. To participate in regular support, supervision, reviews and appraisal with line manager. 16. To support the development of professional practice standards within the service 17. To promote the work of the organisation and the IDVA Service. 18. To keep abreast of developments in law, policy and Govt initiatives in addressing domestic abuse and communicate these within the staff team. 19. To attend meetings, provide reports etc, as and when requested by line manager. 20. To carry out other such duties as appropriate to the scope and grade of the post, as may be requested from time to time. Approved May

4 Staying Put Terms & Conditions of Employment Job Title Independent Domestic Abuse Advisor (IDVA) Salary Salary scale SCP (starting 22,958) Hours of Work 35 Hours per week The potholder may be required to work some unsocial hours as an exception. Annual Leave 27 Days per year Additional annual leave increment will be given upon a successful appraisal up to 30 days and is linked to length of service The annual leave year runs from 1 st April to 31 st March. Bank Holidays Pension Health Care Plan Probationary Period & Contract Car Usage 8 Statutory Bank Holidays Staying Put offers an employer contribution of 3% to the company s stakeholder pension scheme subject to a satisfactory probationary period and confirmation of post. Employees can contribute on a regular basis to their pension plan. Staying Put regards the health and well being of their staff as pivotal to creating a healthy workforce. Therefore, Staying Put provide a Corporate Health Care Plan with Benenden and this benefit is available to temporary staff with one year or more contract and permanent members of staff whilst employed by Staying Put. The post holder will need to satisfactorily complete a 12 week probationary period. Mileage is paid to staff that use their own vehicles for journeys they have to take in the performance of their duties. Sickness Years of service Full pay Half pay Probationary period During the 1 st 3 years During the 4 th & 5 th year 6 years + 4 months 4 months Approved May

5 Domestic Violence Services (Keighley) Terms & Conditions of Employment Job Title Independent Domestic Abuse Advisor (IDVA) Salary Salary scale SCP (starting 22,958) Hours of Work 35 Hours per week The postholder may be required to work some unsocial hours as an exception. Annual Leave 32 Days per year The annual leave year runs from 1 st April to 31 st March. Bank Holidays 8 Statutory Bank Holidays Pension From October 2011 DVS will offer an employer contribution of 3% pension scheme subject to a satisfactory probationary period and confirmation of post. Probationary Period & Contract The post holder will need to satisfactorily complete a six month probationary period. Car Usage Mileage is paid to staff that use their own vehicles for journeys they have to take in the performance of their duties. Sickness Years of service Full pay Half pay Probationary period On completion of probation but less than 1 years service 1 year but less than 3 years service 3 years service or more 3 months 3 months Approved May