Hospital Independent Domestic Abuse Advisor
Hospital Independent Domestic Abuse Advisor - Hospital IDVA
6 Collins St, Oxford - 6 Collins St
GBP 30,000.00 - 30,000.00 per annum - 30k
Fixed Term Contract - 12 months fixed term
A2Dominion is a residential property group with a social purpose to improve people’s lives. While we take a commercial approach to housebuilding, we reinvest all our profits into building more new homes and supporting the communities in which we work.
We’re a strong player in our field and we’re part of the G15, a group of the largest housing providers in London. We’re proud of our commitment to our customers.
Key Responsibilities:
The IDVA will work closely with victims of domestic abuse in a hospital setting, from the point of crisis, to provide high quality independent advocacy and support to survivors of domestic abuse at the highest risk and their children.The job involves working within a multi-agency framework consisting of the MARAC and local partnership protocols and procedures that prioritise the safety of survivors.
The post holder will work in partnership with the Hospital Trust and the Commissioners in improving strategic and operational links and joint working. This may include training to hospital staff to improve awareness and understanding of domestic abuse.
The post holder will be based within the Maternity and A&E wards within Oxfordshire NHS Trust and will carry a caseload of survivors and their children that require additional support. The post holder will empower survivors by providing them with emotional, practical, and personal welfare support.
Hold a caseload and work to conduct comprehensive assessments of needs and risk (DASHH) for women experiencing domestic abuse referred to our services, carry out short- and longer-term risk management, safety planning and support.
Ensure effective access to the service for women and girls and encourage their engagement with services, through multi-agency working and service flexibility.
Whilst working with high risk victims of domestic abuse to help them access services to keep them and their children safe, all referrals should be suitably passed to either internally within the service or sign posted to other service providers as required.
Develop and deliver support plans that include delivery of high-quality face-to-face or telephone crisis intervention, information, advocacy, and support, in respect to criminal and civil remedies, housing, health, welfare rights, children’s legislation and other appropriate interventions.
To provide practical and emotional support to women and men, applying the principles of effective casework when supporting survivors of domestic abuse at the highest risk and their children and to advocate for survivors to ensure their needs are met.
Advise clients of their rights and options for seeking help and support from other agencies, making referrals and co-ordinating the provision of multi-agency support where necessary, and proactively advocate ensuring barriers to accessing support and protection are minimised.
Support the empowerment of the client and assist them in recognising the features and dynamics of domestic abuse present in their situation, and help them regain control of their lives.Having an understanding of multi-agency partnership structures and work within a multi agency setting which will include participation at the MARAC. You will contribute interventions and help design a plan to protect victims and any children, while maintaining an independent role on behalf of your client, keeping their safety as central to any response.
To develop and deliver individual support and risk management plans to address the risk of harm to survivors of domestic abuse and their children, working directly with all key agency partners to ensure that their plans are coordinated through the MARAC.
Attend Child Protection and MARAC meetings as required and also attend court, advocating on client’s behalf, advising on all aspects of family /criminal justice system and their legal rights.
Take referrals from clinicians in response to routine enquiry or other disclosure and provide a timely response which ensures the clients needs are met.
Ensure that agreed case recording and monitoring systems are kept up to date and secure, and write internal and external reports where required, including for safeguarding conferences, team meetings, managers and others as required.
Support colleagues and partner agencies, through awareness raising and institutional advocacy, in order to provide the best possible service for victims of domestic abuse.