Domestic Violence Awareness Practitioner

**Secondment opportunities will be considered.**

This is is a Maternity cover position. Salary stated on the advert is pro-rata (9mths).

Domestic Violence Awareness Practitioners (DVAPs) are based in The Change Hub team, part of the Change Project portfolio of services.

This post holder will cover South Essex and Southend and will be required to travel throughout this area for meetings with clients and/or agencies.

**1st Stage interviews will be held on 18/05/23 via MS Teams.**

**The post-holder will hold a caseload, with a main focus on;**
- Contributing to a multi-agency assessment and management of risk to victim/survivors and children affected by domestic abuse in Essex and Southend.
- Delivering behaviour change interventions to perpetrators referred by Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC) or other agencies working with individuals/families where domestic abuse is a concern.
- Pro-actively securing service user engagement and influencing attitudinal change.
- Making meaningful links and signposting to complementary services to reduce risk posed by clients engaged with the service.
- Working with the Integrated Support Service (ISS) within The Change Project (TCP) and community domestic abuse support services to review risk and inform ongoing intervention.

In addition, they will;
- Establish and maintain excellent working relationships with statutory and community based organisations working with individuals/families where domestic abuse is/may be a concern, attending organisational meetings as required.
- Contribute to the Southend, Essex and Thurrock Domestic Abuse Board (SETDAB) Strategic Plan (2020-25) and achieving The Change Hub success outcomes.
- Attend MARAC in Essex and Southend as required to assist in the selection of appropriate cases for allocation within The Change Hub.
- Represent The Change Hub at local multi-agency/networking events.
- Support The Change Project through active promotion and involvement in fundraising events wherever possible.

**Case management responsibilities**:

- Comply with Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults policies and procedures and information sharing policies.
- Ensure that service users and colleagues understand and comply with the TCPs safeguarding framework.
- Manage a caseload focusing on perpetrators of domestic abuse, including those posing high/very high risk, to provide (semi)structured motivational and behaviour change sessions.
- Take appropriate steps to protect where there is an imminent risk to another person.
- Signpost and support referrals to other services that contribute to reducing risk and/or improve the wellbeing of Change Hub clients.
- Ensure effective and safe personal practice, and awareness of vicarious trauma and boundaries.
- Attend monthly supervision with The Change Hub Service Manager.
- Attend monthly case management meetings with The Change Hub Service Manager and Integrated Support Service.
- Attend clinical supervision.

**Recording and administration**:

- Ensure that case files and records are accurate and complete, and are kept and in compliance with the GDPR policies and procedures of TCP.
- Enter all required information into The Change Project electronic case management system to enable tracking of service user change and risk management.
- Comply with data protection and information sharing protocols that TCP has agreed to.
- Adhere to policy and procedures in relation to health and safety in all aspects of work.

**Direct work with service users**:
The welfare and safety of victims/survivors, children and young people, and vulnerable adults is paramount. DVAPs will take timely and appropriate action to safeguard vulnerable adults and children in every aspect of their work.

The post-holder will;
- Maintain a proactive response to service users, continuously providing positive options for behaviour change through effective listening, communication and interpersonal skills.
- Undertake assessment of risk, needs and attitudes to inform the individual service user’s intervention delivery plan.
- Deliver (semi)structured behaviour change interventions using a combination of motivational interviewing, relationship building, and therapeutic skills to engage service users and reduce risk to victim/survivors and children.
- Motivate and support service users to address the broad range of needs that may contribute to the risk they pose to others and/or act as barriers for them addressing that risk through referral pathways to relevant organisations.
- Ensure that risk assessment and risk management procedures are fully embedded in all areas of work, and safeguarding procedures are followed at all times.
- Respect and value the diversity of the communities in which the service works in, providing a service that recognises the diverse needs of all service users and their families.

**General**:

- Remain up-to-date and compliant with all relevant legislation connected to your work, including TCP proc