Domestic Abuse Practitioner

This is a full time, fixed term position to cover maternity leave for up to 12 months. Hull City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Hull City Council is a White Ribbon Accredited Organization. This post is open to women only under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010 (Occupational Requirement).

ROLE AND PURPOSE

To work as directed by policies and procedures to provide trauma informed specialist high quality advice, support and advocacy services to victims of domestic abuse. To ensure domestic abuse specialist risk identification and assessment tools are used to inform practice and decision making and ensure policies and procedures are followed at all times in order to safeguard victims, children, and family members. To work effectively as part of a multi-agency partnership team and support partners through the provision of specialist advice. To provide specialist advice, guidance and support to other professionals in relation to this complex and risk led area of work. Provide support, advice and services to partners, ex-partners of men accessing the Strength to Change service.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• To promote and safeguard the welfare of children, young people and/or vulnerable adults.
• To use specialist domestic abuse risk identification and assessment tools and lead and advise on risk management strategies to safeguard victims, their children and others identified at risk of harm. Undertake the Independent Domestic Violence Advocate role (IDVA) and Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA) role for those victims assessed as high risk – at risk of homicide or serious harm that are referred to Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC). Offer intensive support and advice to victims and liaise with relevant agencies. Take the lead in co-ordinating services to ensure victims with complex and multiple needs are met.
• To lead and manage complex cases that require high levels of expert knowledge and co-ordination to ensure access to services for adult victims as defined in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, aged 16 years and above, including victims with the following considerations: complexity of need, honour based violence and abuse, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, sexual violence and abuse, mental health and substance misuse needs or other protected characteristics and understand how these intersect.
• Provide ongoing case management and crisis management to victims referred ensuring their support plan is monitored and reviewed in line with policies and procedures.
• Facilitate access to safe accommodation i.e., refuge accommodation, dispersed properties, hostel, B&B or other alternative when a victim and their children have to flee.
• To co-ordinate, facilitate and lead the suit of group work programmes offered and ensure they are effectively evaluated and improved upon.
• Attend and represent domestic abuse services (DAP and Strength to Change) at Multi Agency Public Protection (MAPPA) meetings, Sexual Exploitation Team (SET) meetings, CYPS Case Conferences/ Strategy meetings, PITSTOP meetings, early help meetings and other multi-agency meetings and forums to research, triage and share information and make decisions on behalf of the service and advocate on behalf of victims.
• To raise awareness of domestic abuse amongst professionals and the wider community through training, presentations and awareness raising campaigns and events.

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and associated legislation places responsibilities for health and safety on Hull City Council, as your employer and you as an employee of the council. In addition to the Councils overall duties, the post holder has personal responsibility for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of other employees; additional and more specific responsibilities are identified in the Council’s Corporate H&S policy.

Benefits of Working of Hull City Council:

• A competitive salary
• An excellent pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Initially 23 days annual leave depending on length of service. You will also get eight public holidays per year, and three additional days off, one in May/August and one during the Christmas/New year period
• Career development and learning experiences from a range of training courses and learning methods
• Supportive and forward-thinking culture
• Great career development opportunities

Please ensure that you complete and submit your application by midnight prior to the closing date. Please ensure that your application demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria against the person specification as listed in the job description.