Mental Health IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advisor)

Birmingham Voluntary Sector Council; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local supportive organization in Birmingham seeks an Advocate for Women to provide support to those experiencing domestic violence. The role involves direct casework, training health professionals, and maintaining accurate documentation. Candidates should have strong advocacy skills, a relevant background in health or social care, and commitment to safeguarding. This position allows for impactful community support and fostering safety for vulnerable individuals.

Qualifications

• Experience in advocacy or support roles, particularly with women.
• Knowledge of domestic violence issues and related services.
• Commitment to safeguarding principles.

Responsibilities

• Provide casework support, information, and advocacy to women experiencing domestic violence.
• Work alongside health professionals to deliver training on domestic violence awareness.
• Maintain accurate records and reports of advocacy work.

Skills

Advocacy

Communication

Training Facilitation

Education

Relevant qualifications in health or social care

Job description

Overview

To provide individual information, support and signposting for women, including young women supported by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust disclosing experiences of domestic violence/abuse. To provide training and support to health professionals within BSMHT on understanding and responding to DVA.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Advocacy and support service
• To provide support to women experiencing DVA referred or signposted by trust colleagues.
• To provide direct casework support, advice and information, advocacy to women experiencing DVA through telephone contact, and/or meetings at the department, face to face contacts in clinical teams.
• To work with women experiencing DVA to increase their personal safety (and that of any children) and inform them of their rights and options in terms of housing, legal and welfare rights.
• To be clear of Safeguarding principles, seeking guidance from the Trust Safeguarding Team where appropriate.
• To develop good working relationships and liaise with outside agencies when needed. This will include referral to colleagues within BSWA, to other specialist DVA services or other external agencies when appropriate.
• To keep accurate records of all work done with or on behalf of clients and produce written reports as requested, including a monthly report of referrals and the take up of these referrals advocacy including outputs and patient outcomes.
• To contribute to monitoring and evaluation of the project.
• Practice-based work
• To work alongside mental health colleagues to deliver training and awareness sessions to health care professionals about DVA within BSMHT.
• To promote awareness of the experiences and needs of women living with or escaping DVA, particularly in relation to their health.
• To develop a good relationship with all staff and work effectively as part of the departmental team, including:
  • provision of systematic support to teams in participating departments, including meeting with individuals and small groups of clinical and administrative staff
  • working closely with DVA champions in each department, where applicable
  • attending relevant meetings
• To further develop effective assessment and monitoring procedures and ensure that clear accurate records are kept and maintained.
• To review number of advocate referrals made by clinicians in participating departments.
• Administration and Monitoring
• To work within BSWA’s administrative and financial systems.
• To keep accurate records of financial transitions in line with BSWA’s procedures.
• To ensure that Health and Safety records are kept up to date.
• To monitor and evaluate the service, via various methods including feedback from service users.
• To contribute where appropriate to the preparation of returns for funders.
• To follow the host Trust’s policies and procedures.
• Communication
• To ensure that all staff team members are aware of any matters that are relevant to the welfare and security of the staff, volunteers and service users by:
  • Maintaining BSWA and trust communication records
  • Following safety procedures
  • Attending team meetings
• To attend in-house and Trust training; to attend support and supervision sessions, including case reviews and safeguarding, with your line manager.
• To develop a professional working relationship with external agencies.
• To be involved in the Annual Review process.
• To participate in multi-agency work, including delivery of training and awareness sessions, as agreed with your line manager.
• To promote awareness of BSWA services and the impact of domestic violence on women and children.
• Training
• To identify and attend training relevant to the post in agreement with your line manager.
• To work alongside colleagues to organise in-house training and information sessions on a range of issues for service users.
• To participate in the development and annual appraisal of a personal individual development plan with the line manager.
• General
• To work within BSWA and Trust policies and procedures and demonstrate a commitment to the values and ethos of BSWA.
• To work within BSWA’s and BSMHT’s framework for equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice and offer an equal service to all women, children and young people regardless of age, class, culture, language, race, religion and sexual orientation.
• To maintain the confidentiality of women and children using the service and in all matters relating to the organisations.
• To work within BSWA, Trust and local multi-agency adult and child safeguarding procedures. Where this may produce conflict immediately raise with line manager. (Worker will be trained to level 3 safeguarding)
• To maintain an awareness of the issues surrounding domestic violence on a national and local level.
• To work within the principles and standards of Birmingham DV Standards and support Birmingham Domestic Abuse Strategy.
• To ensure the efficient use of resources at all times.
• To undertake any other duties required by BSWA, which may arise incidentally, develop, or be assigned commensurate with the post.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications for the above vacancies is Wednesday 24 August at 12 noon. Interviews will take place week commencing 5 September.

If you are interested please download a recruitment pack from www.bswaid.org/jobs/ and return completed forms to: Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid, Central Administration, Ryland House, 44-48 Bristol Street, Birmingham, B5 7AA or email to [e-mail]. Large print documents are available on request.