SAFER WALES LTD. Female Independent Domestic and Sexual Violence Advocate (IDSVA)

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1 SAFER WALES LTD June 2013 The Women s Safety Unit (WSU) JOB DESCRIPTION & PERSON SPECIFICATION Job Title: Purpose of Job: Salary: Length of Contract: Responsible to: Female Independent Domestic and Sexual Violence Advocate (IDSVA) As part of the Women s Safety Unit (WSU), the IDSVA will be expected to participate in all aspects of WSU s work with particular responsibility to provide service support and advocacy to women who have experienced domestic abuse and/or sexual violence 25,686-27,300 pa pro rata for 14.5 flexible hours per week Permanent contract, subject to funding IDSVA Service Manager Main duties: To provide emotional support to women accessing the unit and the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), establishing trust, building confidence, maintaining motivation and exploring ways of building positive relationships with various agencies. To empower and enable women accessing the unit to take responsibility for their own decisions and ensure that relevant and up-to date information and advice is available at all times, so they can make informed choices. To refer to or liaise with appropriate agencies To build and maintain close links with all relevant agencies including, Substance Abuse Agencies, Women s Aid, Rape and Sexual Abuse Help Line, NSPCC, Crown Prosecution Service, Probation, Police, Health, Social Services etc.

2 To develop and maintain links with communities and organisations and monitor the incidence of need for services including counselling, refuge, court support etc. To ensure the effective implementation of Safer Wales policies, WSU specific policies, and those relevant to the various funding agencies, (e.g. National Assembly for Wales) on a day-to-day basis, in relation to clients, staff, and all aspects of service provision. To participate in the development of the Women s Safety Unit. To understand the Women s Safety Unit s responsibilities under ACPC guidelines and to respond appropriately to concerns about children. To ensure that all case recording and other documentation is up to date, in accordance with Safer Wales and WSU standards and procedures, and that all information is held confidentially. (This monitoring and evaluation will demonstrate progress against objectives) To be up to date with current research and practice in the field of domestic abuse, known perpetrator rape and sexual assault To enable/empower service users to comment constructively on the level and quality of services offered. To provide training and consultation on related matters to other agencies To participate in the promotion of the work of the Service. Notes: An Enhanced Disclosure is required for this post. Although the core duties of this post are set out within this job description, a flexible approach to work is essential. The post holder may be required to adapt the above duties to take account of changes to working practices (eg the introduction of new technology). The core duties can be varied within reason by Safer Wales, in consultation with, and after having given notice to you.

3 General Duties: Equal Opportunities: Safer Wales is fully committed to the active promotion of equal opportunities as an employer, and in the provision of all its services. It is the responsibility of every member of staff to ensure the practical application of this policy. Health & Safety: Under the Health & Safety at Work Act, all employees are required to take care of their own health and that of other employees in complying with their statutory duties.

4 Person Specification: Essential Desirable 1 Candidates are expected to have full accredited CAADA (Coordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse) qualification and demonstrable experience of working with survivors 2 A willingness to undertake further training and develop new skills, where appropriate. 3 An excellent understanding of domestic abuse, including key issues affecting women, and their families and friends 4 Experience of providing an appropriate and effective service to clients, through a multi-agency referral system 5 Experience of providing appropriate support and guidance to women who are experiencing domestic abuse, through one to one contact, face to face or by telephone 6 An understanding of sexual assault and rape, its likelihood, circumstances, and potential effects on women, and their families and friends. 7 A willingness to self-inform on a regular basis, to be up to date with information and research relating to both domestic abuse itself, and measures which can be taken to support or protect women 8 The ability to work independently and within a team 9 The ability to, or willingness to be trained to, deliver training in good practice to other agencies 10 Ability to work under pressure and to prioritise work 11 Good IT skills including data entry, word processing and use of and the internet. 12 Commitment to the ethos of Safer Wales 13 Excellent telephone and interpersonal communication skills at all levels

5 Person Specification: (cont) Essential Desirable 14 Candidates are expected to demonstrate a proactive commitment to equality of opportunity. 15 The ability to communicate effectively in written and spoken Welsh 16 The ability to communicate effectively in a community language eg Somali, Urdu, Bengali etc