Job Description
Domestic Violence & Abuse Worker - Family Safeguarding
Location: Paragon Dorset
Salary: £27,664 per annum
Contract Type: Full Time x2 Posts
Closing Date: When first suitable candidate is appointed
Paragon is the Hidden Violence and Abuse Service covering Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. This innovative and exciting service works with victims of domestic abuse, stalking, sexual crime and children and young people. Our services aim to support the whole family where we are able.
Essential Requirements:
The ideal candidate will have:
· Relevant qualification or equivalent to Diploma/Degree/NVQ 4 or equivalent work level experience
· Nationally recognised DVA qualification and the willingness to complete all YOU DVA training
· In-depth experience supporting women, men and children who have been subject to domestic violence and abuse on 1:1 or group work basis
· Experience and knowledge of safeguarding adults and children
· Experience of completing risk assessments and safety planning
· The ability to work client focused flexible hours, including evenings, nights as required and weekends.
· A driving license and a car with willingness to work across the county and to travel beyond occasionally for meetings and training
· Workers should be violence and abuse free in their own lives, if this is not the case then please do not put yourself forward for selection
The Role:
Paragon are delighted to be working in partnership with Dorset County Council to provide domestic abuse specialists for this new and exciting approach to working with families through The Safeguarding Families Together Team.
The Safeguarding Families Together Team aims to keep the highest risk children and families in Dorset together safely, improve health and educational outcomes for the children and reduce physical and emotional harm in families.
Safeguarding Families Team together are multi-disciplinary and co-located. The teams are made up of social care practitioners and adult specialists to work with parents in relation to domestic abuse, mental health and substance misuse.
These teams will work together to support families to keep together where it is safe to do so.
The approach is to support families using a technique of motivational interviewing which is designed to empower and engage parents to make the positive changes needed to achieve improved outcomes for their children and their own wellbeing. By meeting the complex needs of the adults, we can reduce the risk to children.
This ground-breaking approach has proved highly successful in 19 other authorities around the country.
You will be part of a team of professionals from different disciplines to join the Safeguarding Families Together teams, to work side by side with social workers. By bringing experts together we will achieve better outcomes for children and families in Dorset.
The Safeguarding Families Together Teams will include a range of specialists who will work alongside our Social Workers and Child and Family Workers:
· Domestic Abuse Officer
· Probation Officer
· Probation Service Officer
· Domestic Abuse Practitioner
· Drug & Alcohol Worker
· Psychologist
· Mental Health Practitioner
Some of the main responsibilities of the role are as follows:
· I will be dual located, with my primary work taking place within the SFT
· I will remain part of the DVA local team and ensure my DVA knowledge and links to that team are up to date
· I will prepare for and attend specialist supervision with the DVA Operational Manager and SFT team manager
· I will ensure links are maintained between the two agencies
· I will work with victims to identify levels of risk as per structured assessments
· I will work with people who are at high risk of homelessness, child protection and/or may be subject to legal proceedings I will complete DASH RIC and refer to MARAC through the area DVA team
· I will identify and deliver effective interventions to increase safety and reduce risk, and, where required broker a package of support with other organisations
· I will provide 1:1 support to enable the client to understand the impact of DVA on themselves, their parenting and their children
· As part of an exit strategy I will work with clients to refer to existing DVA services for community-based programmes such as group work and outreach
· I will keep accurate case records and ensure all required data is available for reporting purposes
· I will write reports and present outcomes of this project
About You:
The successful candidate will have:
· In-depth experience supporting women, men and children who have been subject to domestic violence and abuse on 1:1 or group work basis
· The ability to build rapport quickly with women, children and men participating in the service
· An understanding of and an empathy with the needs and experiences of women, children and men who have experienced domestic abuse.
· The ability to work constructively with the non-abusive parent/guardian and their children in order to foster their relationships
· Knowledge of Honour Based Violence, Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation
· Knowledge of criminal and civil proceedings relating to Domestic Abuse
· Knowledge of Homelessness legislation and prevention and Housing Law
· Knowledge of diversity and inclusion
· Knowledge of housing and welfare benefits including no recourse to public funds
· Knowledge of local resources and agencies which benefit clients and their children
· Knowledge of Cognitive Behavioural Theory and Motivational Interviewing
· Understand the impact of domestic violence and abuse on adults and children
YOU is a registered charity thathas beenproviding care, support and advice for over 30 years to vulnerable people, working across Hampshire, Dorset, West Sussex and the Isle of Wight to give them the tools and resources they need to live independent, secure and valued lives.
Our Benefits:
If you choose to begin a career with our organisation, you are guaranteed:
- Competitive rates of pay and paid travel time, including a higher mileage rate for car sharing.
- Enhanced annual leave entitlements, with the opportunity to buy and sell holiday.
- Matched pension scheme contributions, plus Death in Service Benefit and salary sacrifice options.
- Enhanced sick pay allowances and paid compassionate and emergency dependent leave.
- Excellent and professionally certified training, as well as access to fully-funded apprenticeship programmes.
- Real opportunities to develop in your profession.
- Free health and wellbeing advice via a 24/7, confidential Employee Assistance Programme.
- Everything you need to carry out your role free of charge, which may include a mobile phone, safety equipment and other necessary technology, a uniform where applicable, and of course a nice cup of tea or coffee throughout your day!
- Access to discounts across lots of your favourite stores and online shopping sites, as well as discounted bus travel on the First bus network.
- A company that is committed to its employees, valuing their knowledge, creativity and flexibility.
- The chance to work with amazing people.
If this sounds like your ideal role we’re keen to hear from you as soon as possible, so don’t delay, Apply today! If you are successfully screened you will be invited for an assessment and interview and will recruit the first most suitable applicant.
#IND3
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £27,664.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free parking
- Sick pay
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability
Experience:
- Domestic Violence Support: 1 year (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (preferred)
Work Location: On the road
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