Pathfinder Independent Domestic Violence Advisor

Primary Role Purpose
The Family Court Pathfinder Programme is being trialled in selected court jurisdiction areas across the country. Due to this being expanded across the Black Country, THW have an exciting opportunity to work alongside partners from across the region to deliver specialist support as part of this project.

The purpose of the programme is to address the ways in which Family Court processes fail victims of domestic abuse, and to ensure that practice changes and victims are able to access justice. The Pathfinder is tasked with ensuring that safe decisions are made about the future of children and that the safety and well-being of those children and of the non-abusive partner can be sustained throughout the court process and beyond, into the future.

Essential to the work of the Family Court Pathfinder is the role of the Pathfinder IDVA, who will work in a way that empowers the victims/survivors and their children, helping them to navigate the process with confidence, and secure outcomes that are safe and respectful of their needs as the victims of domestic abuse.

The Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) Job Role

Pathfinder IDVAs will be the main point of contact and support for victim/survivors and their children in the Family Court process, ensuring that they are well-informed and prepared for proceedings, and that they are well-supported throughout. Pathfinder IDVAs will provide detailed reports for the court to ensure that the impact of domestic abuse on the family as a whole and on the children is fully appreciated and understood. Pathfinder IDVAs will be the 'subject matter experts' for the Court in relation to domestic abuse and will offer advice and training to court officers and staff to promote the better understanding of the dynamics of domestic abuse within the Court setting.

This is a challenging role that requires empathy, compassion, excellent interpersonal and caseload management skills, and confidence working with partner agencies and advocating for clients.

Organisational Accountability

• As a member of the organisation, the postholder will be jointly responsible with their wider peers in ensuring The Haven Wolverhampton fulfils its objectives and operates effectively and ethically.
• The postholder will prioritise the experience and welfare of service users and will fully understand relevant safeguarding policy and procedure in order to best support and protect them from harm.
• The postholder will report directly to an appropriate operational manager or coordinator within their business area and will be accountable to them, to their peers and to the organisation's Senior Leadership Team.
• The postholder will be prepared to support and cover their operational manager or coordinator as required.
• The postholder will be responsible for delivering the operational objectives of their business area under the direction of the line manager.
• The postholder will fully understand their responsibilities within the organisation's governance structure and will prioritise compliance.
• The postholder will proactively contribute towards an environment which is efficient, productive and supportive.
• The postholder will proactively report compliance and delivery concerns identified within the organisation and contribute towards an environment of accountability and continued improvement.

Principle Accountability
Act as the main point of contact and support for victim/survivors and their children in the Family Court process.

• Identify and assess the risks and needs of victims of domestic abuse referred to the service using the DASH alongside Stalking, Honour-based Violence Risk Assessments, and Severity of Abuse Grid (SOAG), and where necessary the Respect Toolkit.
• Implement additional assessments to support identification of victim and perpetrators in cases where counter allegations are made.
• Familiarise the victim/survivor and their children with the Family Court setting and processes.
• Ensure that the victim/survivor is accompanied to court hearings by someone who can provide them with effective support.
• Ensure that the victim/survivor is able to attend court safely and without fear of harassment, using sector best-practice risk assessments and safety planning.
• Provide post-court support and safety planning relevant to any orders imposed by the court.
• Refer into THW other support services to meet the family's needs eg support for children/young people, counselling, peer group work, 1:1 specialist support
• Ensure information and support is provided to victim/survivors to reduce the potential for misunderstandings, to enable them to avert conflict escalation, and to avoid breakdowns in compliance.
• Inform victim/survivors on the best way to proceed in cases of non-compliance by other party.
• Be an active member of multi-agency case meetings, maintaining good communications with other professionals involved and advocacy for the victim.

Provide detailed reports for partner agencies and for the court.

• Work with CAFCASS and all other relevant partners to ensure the timely collection and presentation of all information needed for court decision-making.
• Produce detailed reports for CAFCASS and for the court i.e. Child Impact Reports.

Act as 'subject matter experts' for the Family Court in relation to domestic abuse.

• Develop good working relationships with Family Court partner agencies and liaise with agencies about the risks and needs of victims
• Provide advice and training to court officers and staff to promote the better understanding of the dynamics of domestic abuse within the Court setting.
• Take steps to ensure that the impact of domestic abuse on the family as a whole and on the children is fully appreciated and understood by all involved in their journey through the court process.

Safeguarding and administration.

• Record case work accurately and ensure the administration of caseload is always up to date.
• Attend regular case review meetings to communicate information regarding cases and share information around high-risk cases.
• Participate in the work of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, following THW policies and procedures, and the policies and procedures of the Local Children and Adult Safeguarding Boards.
• Ensure that any issues in relation to safeguarding children or vulnerable adults are brought to the immediate attention of the service manager or a DSL at THW.

Additional Accountability

• The postholder may be expected to undertake wider duties outside of the scope of this job description on an ad-hoc basis which are appropriate to the level of the role and experience of the individual.

Shift Work and Flexibility

• The postholder may be expected to work shifts, unsociable hours and may be expected to do so on a rota basis. This will be agreed on an individual basis depending upon the requirements of the role, business need and any reasonable adjustments required, and will be captured within the postholder's contract.