Domestic Abuse Practitioner

**Northumberland Domestic Abuse Service**

**Supporting all survivors of domestic abuse in Northumberland**

**Unit 3, Waterhouse, Burn Lane, Hexham, Northumberland. NE46 3HN**

**Telephone: 01434 608030**

**Job Title: Domestic Abuse Practitioner**

**Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week, flexibility required.**

**Salary: £26,576**

**Annual leave: 25 days plus bank holidays and birthday leave**

**Benefits**:

- Monthly car user allowance**
**- Pension following 3-month probationary period of 5%**

**Contract: Temporary 12 months**

**Responsible to: Team Manager**

**Location: Hexham base, outreach working across Northumberland.**

**Qualifications: Level 4 NVQ or CAADA IDVA training desirable. Successful applicant will be required to undertake additional training.**

**Northumberland Domestic Abuse Service**

NDAS empowers victims to make decisions, increase their options, their confidence and safety. Prevention and awareness raising activities are also delivered across Northumberland and counselling to the children of our service users.

Established in 2003, NDAS has a track record of providing excellent services and is a key member of domestic abuse provision in Northumberland. We have a secure financial foundation and are looking forward to developing our team to continue to provide essential services in tackling domestic abuse.

This is a key role within NDAS our operational delivery team working across the county. We are looking for a motivated professional who is passionate about delivering the best possible prevention and support services.

**OUR VALUES**

**Welcoming**: We welcome you, whoever you are

**Believing and accepting**: We believe you, accept you and will not judge you. We do not discriminate

**Understanding**: We understand what you are experiencing. Our staff are here to listen

**Protecting**: We make sure you stay safe and will help you to make plans to ensure your safety

**Empowering**: We help you to find your voice and gain confidence and independence

**United**: Working with you, and with other local partner organisations, to find the right support

**MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB**

To provide practical and emotional support to victims of domestic abuse/violence; including supporting them through the criminal justice system and providing guidance and assistance. The role also involves empowering victims to make decisions, increase their options, their confidence and safety.

**DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES**

**Managing service delivery and performance**

Provide an efficient, effective outreach service to all victims of domestic abuse/violence across Northumberland.

Establish the risks and the needs of the individual and deliver a service appropriate to that level of risk.

With the client you will develop and deliver Individual Safety and Support Plan based on a rigorous risk assessment to address the risk of harm to victims.

Work in partnership with other agencies to coordinate joined up responses and to advocate for victims to ensure their needs are met.

Explain the intricacies of the criminal justice and family court systems to victims and give advice on how to proceed at different stages of the process.

Ensure that clients are aware of their rights to legal protection and to arrange for the provision of legal advice as required and accompany victims to appointments if appropriate.

Ensure the safety of the client is paramount through regular contact including face to face contact and visits to the home.

Attend MARAC meetings when needed, Case Conference, Core Groups and CAF meetings when required.

Liaise with other agencies as appropriate. Deliver training to colleagues and other professionals.

Working with our Customer Relationship Management system and in accordance with Northumberland Domestic Abuse Services policies and procedures.

Provide monitoring and reports as required to the planning officer.

Note and feedback to other agencies any consistent difficulties clients are having accessing their service.

Provide a service, which is sensitive to all cultural and other differences and needs.

Ensure that the views and experiences of the client and agencies are sought actively and inform the development of the service.

Report any problems/difficulties/complaints to the Team Manager and participate in follow up investigations as required.

**Managing Security**

Maintain the security and well-being of victims of domestic abuse and to communicate immediately with the Team Manager any concerns regarding security.

Maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries and security, when working with service users, staff and external bodies.

**General Duties**

Contribute to the overall development of Northumberland Domestic Abuse Services, by attending team meetings and participate in training and development working groups as agreed by the post-holder and Team Manager. This will include training specific to working with victims of domestic abuse.

Contribute to the