Independent Domestic Violence Advisor - Sandwell

RSR is a public safety, housing & enterprise security recruitment specialist. We assist public safety employers find the right talent. We assist all employers when they want to source public safety and enterprise security skills and experience.

We are currently recruiting on behalf of Black Country Women’s Aid for an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA), to provide a high quality frontline domestic abuse support service to those at high risk of harm.

This is a full time, permanent, based in Sandwell and offers a salary of £24,310.04 - £27,781.55

Full driving license and access to own vehicle is required for this role.

Main Duties:

• Focus on and prioritise high-risk cases, provide pro-active, short to medium term crisis interventions to increase their personal safety (and that of any children) and inform them of their rights and options in terms of housing, legal and welfare rights.
• Provide direct casework support, advice, information and empowerment to individuals experiencing DVA through telephone contact and face-to-face meetings.
• Advocate for and work with high risk victims of domestic abuse to help them access services to keep them and their children safe.
• Identify and assess the risks and needs of domestic abuse victims using an evidence-based risk identification checklist.
• Take referrals via drop-ins and telephone contact, gathering information regarding the victim and their circumstances, assessing the information, agreeing needs and identifying risk.
• Recognise, respect and address the needs of service-users who face particular barriers when seeking help to access the advocacy service, including those from hard to reach groups.
• Attend criminal and civil court with clients when required, so that they feel supported and are aware of the process.
• To be an active member of multi-agency networks and meetings, such as child protection conferences and core groups, maintaining good communications with other professionals involved and advocacy for the victim.
• Record case work accurately and ensure the administration of caseload is always up to date.
• Attend regular case review meetings in order to communicate information regarding cases and, in particular, share information around high-risk cases.
• Ensure that any issues in relation to safeguarding children or vulnerable adults are brought to the immediate attention of the Senior IDVA/manager.

Essential Requirements:

• IDVA qualification and/or direct experience of working in domestic/sexual violence.
• Qualification or training equivalent to minimum level 3 education standard in a relevant topic, such as health and social care.
• Demonstrable ability to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, Teams), databases and other virtual platforms
• Experience of working with vulnerable adults and children, acknowledging safeguarding concerns and responding appropriately.
• Experience of managing complex casework, including issues such as child abuse, mental health, substance abuse, working with trauma in adults and children and crisis intervention.
• Experiencing of working within a supportive setting for vulnerable people, providing direct support and needs led service, undertaking risk and needs assessments and support planning, using a variety of intervention tools.
• Experience of taking referrals for services, gathering information regarding the victim and their circumstances, assessing the information, agreeing needs and identifying risk, understanding the right service to refer on to.
• Experience of supporting staff, students and volunteers
• Experience of working within a formal contracting environment delivering/achieving against a specification and performance targets.

An enhanced DBS will be required for this role.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, if you do not hear from us within 7 working days, your application has been unsuccessful.

If this role is not for you but you do know somebody who would be interested, please feel free to refer them to us! We have a "Refer A Friend" bonus scheme and we will reward you retail vouchers for any referrals who are not already known to us and are successfully placed!

Red Snapper Justice is a member of the Red Snapper Group.

The Red Snapper Group acts as an employment agency (permanent) and as an employment business (temporary) - a free and confidential service to candidates.

The Red Snapper Recruitment Group is an equal opportunities employer.