Hospital Independent Domestic Violence Advocate

Please note: This post is restricted to women under schedule 9, Part 1, Equalities Act 2010

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE

The Hospital IDVA (HIDVA) will be part of our dynamic, responsive and highly regarded HIDVA team, providing excellent trauma informed support, crisis intervention, advocacy and advice to survivors in hospitals and health settings, both patients and staff Impacted by domestic abuse.

The HIDVA will also provide advice and training to hospital staff and ensure robust referral pathways are established within the different departments.

We offer an out of hours phone service (Friday evenings and weekend days) together with on-site cover within the hospitals during important events where domestic abuse has been shown to increase, such as Christmas, Bank Holidays, Valentine’s Day and Football Tournaments. The post holder will be expected to participate in the out of hours rota, TOIL and flexible working to recompense for this, as well as overtime for bank holidays/ special events if required on site.

The HIDVA will be based in the Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford, and will be expected to visit other hospitals across the trust from time to time to attend meetings, deliver training and cover other team members. There is also flexibility to work from the Rising Sun main office in Canterbury to attend team meetings, supervision and training.

We are looking for someone with an excellent understanding of domestic abuse and its effects on women and children, who is experienced in supporting survivors with varying needs such as, drugs/alcohol, mental health, homelessness and patients with no recourse to public funds.  Experience with Elderly People, Dementia Sufferers and their Carers or knowledge of midwifery would be desirable, although not essential. 

You will report to the HIDVA Manager and receive training and an induction into both the hospital work and Rising Sun’s wider services. If unqualified, we will support you to complete a formal domestic abuse qualification.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Support to Survivors

• Be present in the hospitals daily to respond to referrals or requests for domestic abuse advice and to meet with survivors.                
• Ensure that survivors are aware of their rights and options and explain the effectiveness of criminal and civil sanctions available to them.
• Produce safety plans with the client, enabling them to assess and manage their own safety.
• Carry out needs assessments, including DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour Based Violence) risk assessment, to effectively deliver holistic, survivor centred support.
• Work in partnership with hospital staff, safeguarding departments and other services e.g. the police, housing, social services, mental health (amongst others) to advocate for survivors and complete referrals to ongoing support services where appropriate.
• Attend Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) meetings and refer service users to MARAC when appropriate.
• Assist clients in gaining access to solicitors, benefits agencies, housing departments, education, medical treatment, counselling, support networks, community groups, employment support etc.
• Recognise, respect and address the needs of survivors who face particular barriers when seeking access to services, including those from minority groups or with protected characteristics
• Safeguard the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk; working within safeguarding policies, Child Protection Procedures and local procedures for safeguarding adults at risk.
• Maintain accurate client records, outcome and monitoring data. Prepare information or reports for the monitoring and evaluation of the service.
• Complete daily ward rounds to raise awareness and identify any potential DA support needs for staff or patients.
• Participate in an out of hours rota, providing an on-call phone support service to hospital staff on Friday evenings and weekend days as timetabled.

Partnership Working and Training

• Promote the HIDVA service in the hospitals and build positive relationships with hospital staff, in particular safeguarding teams and clinicians.
• Attend safeguarding, mental health and frequent attenders meetings to screen patients for potential domestic abuse and provide advice to staff.  Together with any other helpful meetings that may arise.
• Deliver training to staff in various health settings across Kent to raise awareness of domestic abuse, safe enquiry and appropriate responding.

General

• Maintain commitment to and work in line with the Rising Sun Framework.
• Uphold the rights of women, children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse, and proactively assess the gender specific, trauma informed needs and the safety of children and women to ensure that any risks/needs identified are addressed, having full regard to Rising Sun Safeguarding Children policy and Safeguarding Adults policy
• Ensure confidentiality on all appropriate matters, and adhere to the requirements of the Data Protection Act.
• Comply with Rising Sun’s policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate a commitment to continued professional development, being responsible for personal learning and keeping up to date on research, relevant legislation, policy and practice, and other literature relevant to the role.
• Work across teams and undertake such other duties, appropriate to the grade and nature of the work, as may reasonably be expected.

This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time it was drawn up and will be reviewed from time to time. Duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and cannot of themselves justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post.

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following experience, knowledge, skills and attitudes.

Qualifications

• Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) qualification (desirable)
• Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA) qualification (desirable)
• Health qualification (desirable)
   

Knowledge and Experience

• At least 2 years’ experience of working with survivors of domestic abuse, including high risk clients, assessing risks and needs and ability to use professional judgment and make decisions
• Experience of co-producing short and longer term safety and support plans with survivors and their children
• Experience working with the police, social services and MARAC
• Experience of working in a hospital / health setting (desirable)
• Experience working with people with mental health needs, substance misuse, other complex needs (desirable)
• Experience working within maternity/midwifery services (desirable)
• Experience supporting older people (desirable)
• Experience of delivering training (desirable)
• Knowledge of criminal and civil legal remedies and housing law relating to domestic abuse
• Knowledge of domestic abuse risk assessment tools including DASH and understanding of the MARAC process
• A thorough understanding of safeguarding relating to adults with care and support needs and understanding of safeguarding children
• Up to date knowledge of the welfare benefits system and the ability to ensure service users maximise their benefit entitlement (desirable)
• Knowledge of local services and DA Specialists across Kent & Medway (desirable)

Skills and Attitude

• Ability to network face to face and virtually, to develop new contacts and partnerships
• Ability to train professionals on recognising domestic abuse and responding appropriately (desirable)
• Ability to use appropriate institutional advocacy to maximise positive outcomes and use the appropriate reporting mechanisms to highlight persistent or recurring issues that arise
• Ability to motivate yourself and work independently on your own initiative
• Solution focused and creative in approaching new challenges
• Competent using Microsoft office programmes, in particular MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Passionate about the aim and principles of Rising Sun
• Committed to equal opportunities, safeguarding and maintaining confidentiality

General

• A commitment to the values and ethos of the Rising Sun
• A good understanding of cultural issues, and commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities.
• Able to work some evenings and weekends
• Able to cover some Bank Holidays and cultural events on a rota basis with time off in lieu or overtime where appropriate
• Eligible to live and work in the UK
• Able to drive and have access to a reliable car (the post holder will be required to attend meetings and deliver training across our areas of work)

Equal Opportunities Statement

Rising Sun is an equal opportunities employer. We recognise intersecting identities, and value what having a diverse team brings, both in terms of effectively responding to client needs, and engaging with each other at work. We encourage applicants from all sections of the community; especially from minority groups/groups with a protected characteristic such as B.A.M.E., who are currently underrepresented at Rising Sun. We are disability-friendly, and flexible working is available in the majority of roles. We strive to offer accommodations to all applicants who need them.

Safeguarding Statement

Rising Sun is committed to safeguarding those we provide a service to. The successful candidate will be required to undergo a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, a ‘right to work check’ in accordance with UK government Home Office guidelines, and to provide two references.

Benefits

We offer a number of benefits to team members including:

• 25 days annual leave per year
• A bonus day of leave for your birthday
• 3% matched pension contribution
• Access to Rising Sun’s counselling service
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Health care cash plan for you and your children for a number of health treatments (e.g. dental, optical, physiotherapy etc.) and also discounts in shops and attractions
• Up to four weeks sick pay in any 12 month period (eligible after probation period)