DASA - Domestic Abuse Safety Advisor

RISE strives for a world where people can lead safe, purposeful lives as a result of better relationships within families and communities; where harmful behaviour is marginalised and fewer people are victims of crime. In order to create safe communities, RISE empowers people to break their cycle of harmful behaviour. RISE's programmes challenge attitudes and facilitate long-lasting behaviour change and are driven by the belief that people can make better decisions, given the right support. RISE are specialists in designing and delivering evidence-based, transformative behaviour change courses within the criminal justice system and wider community. With the main objectives of reducing re-victimisation and reoffending, and helping to protect the public, the RISE practitioner will deliver a range of interventions (individual and group), both in the community and in custody.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide a high-quality service to victims of domestic abuse, delivering a service to those at risk;
• Work collaboratively within a multi-agency framework consisting of the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC) and local partnership responses to domestic abuse;
• Identify and assess the risks and needs of domestic abuse victims using an evidence-based risk identification checklist.
• Focus on and prioritise high risk cases and provide a pro-active service through individual safety planning and personal support.
• Work with victims of domestic abuse at all levels of risk to help them access services to keep them and their children safe.
• Liaise with Social Services and other professional agencies in relation to any child protection/adult safeguarding risk issues highlighted;
• Ensure that any issues in relation to safeguarding children or vulnerable adults are brought to the immediate attention of the Safeguarding lead (or whoever is relevant).
• Maintain high standards of professionalism and keep abreast of current legislation, best practice and maintain a focus of continuous improvement;
• Understand the role of all relevant statutory and non-statutory services available to domestic abuse victims, and work collaboratively with these as appropriate;
• Provide advocacy, emotional and practical support, and information to victims in relation to legal options, housing, health and finance;
• Record case work accurately and ensure administration of caseload is always up to date.
• Communicate internally within RISE, with victims and with partner agencies about the risks and needs of victims.
• Attend regular case review meetings with the DA Team Leader and Practitioners to share information around the identified risks.
• Manage a caseload of 35 service users ensuring each client receives a timely and appropriate service, individual to their needs;
• Support the empowerment of the client, and assist them in recognising the features and dynamics of domestic abuse, and help them regain control of their lives;
• Maintain knowledge of the organisation's operating environment;
• Demonstrate and maintain a commitment to the organisation's vision and values, strategic aims and objectives.
• Attend and participate in any and all internal and external training identified as necessary to meet the requirements of the role as identified by Rise Mutual CIC.
• Work from an office base a minimum of 2 days a week.

Main Duties:

• Establish timely contact with Victim/Survivors of domestic abuse perpetrators who are referred to attend a DVPP;
• Carry out assessments with the Victim/Survivors via telephone contact or community visit, using the Safe Lives DASH and SOAG risk assessment tool;
• Carry out detailed safety planning with Victim/Survivors;
• Manage risk by being pro-active with Victim/Survivors, sharing information with other relevant agencies in a timely way.
• Refer and/or signpost Victim/Survivors to other services/agencies to meet risk/wellbeing needs;
• Ensure Victim/Survivors can access a place of safety e.g. refuge, if risk escalates to a dangerous/unsafe level;
• Maintain Victim/Survivors contact and continuously monitor risk by keeping up with all available information while the perpetrator attends the programme;
• Attendance at Social Services Conferences (if appropriate), Risk Meetings and MARAC, advising on any safety planning for any risk issues highlighted;
• Undertake an end of case review, signposting Victim/Survivors to external agencies for ongoing support where appropriate;
• Maintain up to date Victim/Survivors records to ensure data is collated for all work completed.
• Offer 100% of Victim/Survivors to complete service user feedback;

Confidentiality and Information Security:

• Adhere to the Data Protection and Freedom of Information Acts and comply with the terms of RISE's Privacy, IT and Data protection policies, and that of our partners where relevant.
• Comply with security measures in accordance with RISE policies and our partner's E-mail and Internet use.

Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults:

RISE is committed to keeping children and vulnerable adults safe. Post holders with direct service user contact are responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults they are responsible for or come into contact with. Post holders without direct service user contact have a general responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.

Other duties:

• Undertake other duties as may be required which are commensurate with the grade and nature of the post.
• Cover for other posts as appropriate, and willingness to be trained in new interventions.

Person specification:

Qualifications:

• To hold or currently working towards a nationally (UK) recognised IDVA qualification.

Experience:

• Have experience of giving or undertaking advice, advocacy, counselling or casework within a domestic abuse setting;
• Have experience using an evidence-based risk identification checklist as a tool to aid risk identification and management for Victim/Survivors of domestic abuse, as well as an understanding of the limitations of such tools.
• Have experience of working with people who have had to deal with difficult emotional incidents or events using a trauma-informed approach;
• Possess good organisational skills with the ability to work methodically and accurately whilst meeting deadlines;
• Have experience of liaising with a range of professionals and agencies;
• Have experience of timely preparation of reports on behalf of users; preparing reports and submissions to statutory or professional bodies;
• Experience of case management and record keeping;
• Experience of delivering programmes/training and/or the willingness to be trained;
• Knowledge and understanding of stalking and technology-facilitated abuse;
• Experience of supporting victim-survivors affected by honour-based abuse;

Skills:

• To work on own initiative and as part of a team without close supervision;
• To maintain professionalism when dealing with cases, which may be stressful and demanding;
• To work effectively under pressure including prioritising workload and meeting deadlines;
• To demonstrate empathy for the issues and barriers faced by Victim/Survivors and their families;
• To respond positively to change;
• To communicate with vulnerable clients;
• To communicate with external organisation professionals;
• To have excellent written communication skills to write reports;
• Proven communication and interpersonal skills (both verbal and written).

Knowledge:

• Proficiency in the use of case management databases to accurately record Victim/Survivors information;
• Proficiency in MS Office skills (MS Word, Excel) to intermediate level and experience of using such skills in a busy office environment.