Senior Domestic Abuse Support Worker

**1 x Senior Domestic Abuse Support Worker for Conwy and Denbighshire.**

**Job Role**:

- To provide practical and emotional support to individuals who are experiencing domestic abuse through both face to face and telephone support. To develop individual support plans which address the risk of harm, and to offer information, advocacy and sign-posting on a risk and needs led basis. Empower the client and assist them in recognising the dynamics of domestic abuse and support them to recover and regain control of their lives

In addition to the support worker role which is to provide practical and emotional support to individuals who are experiencing domestic abuse through both face to face and telephone support, addressing the risk of harm and empowering the client to recognise the dynamics of domestic abuse and support them to recover and regain control of their lives, a senior support worker will be the first point of contact for operational queries for support workers and will support the Team Leader in day to day team management

**Main Duties (these duties are additional to the support worker role)**
- Manage a reduced caseload in accordance with all organisational policies and procedures
- Manage a caseload in accordance with all organisational policies and procedures
- Assess risk using the DASH risk indicator checklist, ensuring that this risk is reviewed on a regular basis
- Work with individuals to develop tailored support plans with a focus on reducing the risk of
- harm, increasing their personal safety (and that of any children) and responding to their individual
- needs. Support individuals to be able to identify and manage the risks to themselves and their children
- Provide information to individuals in relation to their options, including guidance in relation to their
- housing, legal and welfare rights
- Focus on the prevention of future homelessness where applicable
- Assist clients in accessing services and benefits, and to accompany them to appointments and advocate on their behalf as required
- Work effectively in partnership with other agencies and refer on appropriately, dependant on need and risk. This may include referral to specialist agencies.
- Attend multi-agency meetings where required.
- Take part in the On call cover on a ROTA basis.
- Keep timely, factual and accurate records of all work done with or on behalf of clients using the organisation’s database ensuring compliance with our Leading Lights accreditation, and produce high standard written reports and data where required, this could include Court,
- Complete a DSO course with the NSPCC in order to sign off CP referrals
- Sign off MARAC referrals
- Provide cover for Team Leader absence
- Complete file checks and case management to Leading Light standards where appropriate
- Support the Team Leader to ensure data is correctly recorded and collated for funders
- Support with staff induction and job training
- Attend partnership meetings
- Line manage sessional workers

**Person Specifications**

Essential
- Applicants for the roles will have had to have at least 12 months experience working in the domestic abuse field
- Knowledge and understanding of the issues facing those experiencing Domestic Abuse
- Ability to communicate sensitively with inividuals who may be distressed in a trauma informed way
- Knowledge of a range of options for and rights of those experiencing domestic abuse
- Understanding of Safeguarding, and the legal responsibilities surrounding these issues.
- Ability to liaise with external organisations
- Ability to work under pressure and to plan and prioritise own workload
- Ability to communicate effectively with a range of professionals
- Ability to establish and maintain appropriate boundaries when working with those who are

experiencing crisis
- Ability to maintain effective office systems and use an electronic case management database
- Ability to manage time effectively and prioritise competing tasks
- Knowledge of relevant legislation relating to domestic abuse
- Knowledge of welfare benefits
- An understanding of the needs of minority groups experiencing domestic abuse
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills
- Understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities
- Full UK driving licence and use of own vehicle.
- Knowledge and understanding of the MARAC and CP referrals
- Ability to communicate sensitively with staff members on performance issues
- Knowledge of a range of options for and rights of those experiencing domestic abuse in order to inform other support workers
- Understanding of Safeguarding, and the legal responsibilities surrounding these issues in order to advise support workers
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills both internally and externally
- Flexibility to cover two counties.
- **Desirable Experience**:

- Providing support to people experiencing domestic abuse, whether in a paid or voluntary capacity OR Demonstrable transferable skills and goo