Counselling jobs in Morecambe

Job Title: IDVA Independent Domestic Abuse Advisor

Reports to: FCWA Line Manager

Contract: Permanent (subject to funding)

Salary: £26,500 (unqualified) - £28,500 (qualified or after 2 years of service) FTE

Positions: 1 x FT (37.5 hours)

Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week- Monday to Friday 9am till 5 pm (office based)

Work Location: FCWA Offices- Former Police Station, Montague Street, Blackpool FY4 1AT

Overview
Employee Benefits:

Benefits:

· Birthday day off

· Employee Assistance Programme

· Regular staff support sessions

· Contributory pension scheme

· Death in Service insurance

· Ongoing training and professional development

· Friendly, values-driven team environment

The IDVA Role and Key Responsibilities

· The IDVA will manage high profile / intensive case work

• To establish the risks to and the needs of survivors, identifying and prioritising those at the highest risk
• To support the empowerment of survivors, assisting them to recognise the dynamics of domestic abuse present in their own situation, and to help them regain control of their lives
• To ensure that SafeLives DASH Risk assessment, Individual Safety & Support Plans are completed and updated on a regular basis.

To ensure that support planning is outcome-focused and that clients inform the type and level of support that they receive.

· To work in partnership with other agencies, including participation at the MARAC, and to

contribute to the design of interventions and the design of plans which protect survivors and their children whilst maintaining an independent role on behalf of the survivors, keeping their safety central to the plans

· Signpost and refer service users to other organisations to meet individual support needs

• To provide support and information for when service users are participating in the criminal and civil court justice systems. This may include, court attendance, liaison with police and or referrals to relevant agencies.
• The assessment of the impact of domestic violence and risks posed to any children living with the service user, with appropriate follow-up action including referrals to specialist children’s services.
• To ensure as far as possible, that a seamless service is being delivered by working closely with other support providers to have a joined-up approach to addressing support needs.
• To oversee the development and delivery of individual support and risk management plans to address the risk of harm to survivors of domestic violence and their children, working directly with all key agency partners to ensure that their plans are coordinated. This will include joint working with GPs, health visitors, schools, counselling services, housing, the Police and any other agencies likely to be delivering support services to the service user.
• To recognise, respect and address the needs of service-users who face barriers when seeking help to access the advocacy service, including those from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, LGBTQi+ communities, disabled people and other hard-to-reach groups
• To keep clear, accessible records in line with FCWA’s Confidentiality and Data Protection procedure. To ensure records of contacts with service users clearly demonstrate the nature of contact, aims and objectives. This will also include providing information for MARAC and the completion of agreed actions.
• To advocate, both verbally and in writing, in a range of settings including in civil and criminal proceedings and with criminal justice professionals.
• To achieve agreed standards of service delivery in compliance with relevant legislation, contract requirements, and FCWA policies
• To work with the Service Manager in achieving the Safe lives Leading Lights and Women’s Aid accreditation standards within the service
• To escalate any issues in relation to safeguarding children or vulnerable adults to the Service Manager in the first instance.
• To report any problems/difficulties/complaints to the Service Manager and participate in follow-up investigations as required.
• Additional information to applicants:

This post will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure and clearance

Pay: £26,500.00-£28,500.00 per year

Work Location: In person