Job summary
The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust are committed in tackling all forms of domestic abuse, sexual violence and harassment affecting patients, families, and staff.
We have a full time Band 5 vacancy for a Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Advocate (DASVA). The role is for two years fixed term contract working Monday - Friday within the Trusts safeguarding team. The DASVA will be part of the Safeguarding Team working alongside partner agencies to support victims of domestic abuse and or sexual harassment or violence. The role of the DASVA is to work on the front line to provide face to face support for victims, survivors, families, and staff which includes safety planning and advice in line with the Domestic Abuse Act (2021), Governments Strategy for tackling violence against women and girls (2021) and the NHS England Sexual Safety in Healthcare Charter (2023).
The role will include supporting staff who are victims/survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual violence/harassment in response to the NHS Sexual Safety Charter (2023).
We are looking for someone with experience of supporting victims/survivors of domestic abuse, managing a caseload and understanding the principles of safeguarding children and adults. The post holder will have a good understanding of the dynamics of domestic abuse and how this can affect victims.
Main duties of the job
The role will focus on four main priorities:
- Supporting, risk assessing, safety planning, signposting victims/survivors of domestic abuse and or sexual harassment/violence.
- Training, education and providing frontline advice to staff in line with national legislation, guidance, and internal processes.
- Multi-agency working with partners and organisations to safeguard victims/survivors.
- Reducing health inequalities for victims/survivors (Equality, diversity, and inclusion).
About us
The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest specialist orthopaedic units in Europe. We offer planned orthopaedic surgery to people locally, nationally and internationally.
Our Trust is a very special hospital; big enough to deliver world class services and small enough to offer exceptional patient and staff experience. We offer a working experience unique in the West Midlands and we're always on the lookout for passionate people to join our award-winning team.
The ROH is an equal opportunities employer. We employ people of difference and are committed to growing an inclusive culture, where difference is celebrated, and people feel able to bring their whole and authentic self to work.
We are a Disability Confident Leader and offer a range of inclusive, family friendly and flexible working arrangements and policies, to support our people in the workplace. Flexible working requests will be considered.
The Trust is committed to the Disability Confident Interview Scheme and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a vacancy and consider them on their abilities.
If you have a disability and need any support with your application or require any reasonable adjustments to be implemented please do get in touch with the Recruiting Manager for this position so that the team can support you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To work within accordance to internal, local, and national policies/guidance and legislation.
- To use trauma informed practice in responding to victims of domestic abuse or sexual violence.
- To identify and assess risks and needs of victims and their children who access our Trust or have disclosed domestic abuse and or sexual violence using the Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour Based Violence Risk Identification, Assessment and Management Model (DASH).
- To work in partnership with HR, freedom to speak up lead and safeguarding team in supporting staff who disclose sexual safety concerns within the workplace.
- Provide safety planning and signposting advice to patients, staff, and their families.
- Liaise with refuge accommodation services and housing departments to ensure the victim has access to safe accommodation.
- Manage a caseload for a time limited period whilst the patient is in hospital and or accessing hospital services ensuring each client receives the appropriate support relevant to their needs and keeps their safety as central to response.
- To also ensure that caseloads are regularly reviewed, actions recorded and undertaken, and cases transferred or closed.
- To partake in MARAC meetings, Child Protection or Child in Need Meetings and or Strategy discussions.
- Ensure effective continuity of service for those being transferred into community-based services or discharged from our care.
- Build relationships within the Trust to provide support for staff who are victims of domestic abuse and or sexual harassment/violence, by ensuring staff receive appropriate support and safety planning.
- Build key relationships with multiagency partners which include the Police, Domestic Abuse Services, Housing, Substance Misuse Services, Community Mental Health Teams, Primary Care Services, Sexual Health Services, Sexual Assault Referral Centres, and adult/childrens Social Care.
- To assist in the identification of training needs, development, and delivery of training programmes by raising awareness across the trust of the signs and the impact of domestic abuse.
- Contribute and participate in Trust Domestic Abuse Audits and service evaluation under the supervision of the Domestic Abuse Lead.
- Ensure appropriate pathways for referrals into the community are easily accessible to frontline staff.
- Maintain accurate and confidential case management records and databases and contribute to monitoring information for the service and report outcomes to the Domestic Abuse Lead.
- Ensure accurate recording of domestic abuse disclosures and actions completed are in line with the Trusts Domestic Abuse and Record Keeping Policy.
- Ensure that appropriate and timely information is shared if a perpetrator is identified as a Person in Position of Trust to the Safeguarding Lead.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To work within accordance to internal, local, and national policies/guidance and legislation.
- To use trauma informed practice in responding to victims of domestic abuse or sexual violence.
- To identify and assess risks and needs of victims and their children who access our Trust or have disclosed domestic abuse and or sexual violence using the Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour Based Violence Risk Identification, Assessment and Management Model (DASH).
- To work in partnership with HR, freedom to speak up lead and safeguarding team in supporting staff who disclose sexual safety concerns within the workplace.
- Provide safety planning and signposting advice to patients, staff, and their families.
- Liaise with refuge accommodation services and housing departments to ensure the victim has access to safe accommodation.
- Manage a caseload for a time limited period whilst the patient is in hospital and or accessing hospital services ensuring each client receives the appropriate support relevant to their needs and keeps their safety as central to response.
- To also ensure that caseloads are regularly reviewed, actions recorded and undertaken, and cases transferred or closed.
- To partake in MARAC meetings, Child Protection or Child in Need Meetings and or Strategy discussions.
- Ensure effective continuity of service for those being transferred into community-based services or discharged from our care.
- Build relationships within the Trust to provide support for staff who are victims of domestic abuse and or sexual harassment/violence, by ensuring staff receive appropriate support and safety planning.
- Build key relationships with multiagency partners which include the Police, Domestic Abuse Services, Housing, Substance Misuse Services, Community Mental Health Teams, Primary Care Services, Sexual Health Services, Sexual Assault Referral Centres, and adult/childrens Social Care.
- To assist in the identification of training needs, development, and delivery of training programmes by raising awareness across the trust of the signs and the impact of domestic abuse.
- Contribute and participate in Trust Domestic Abuse Audits and service evaluation under the supervision of the Domestic Abuse Lead.
- Ensure appropriate pathways for referrals into the community are easily accessible to frontline staff.
- Maintain accurate and confidential case management records and databases and contribute to monitoring information for the service and report outcomes to the Domestic Abuse Lead.
- Ensure accurate recording of domestic abuse disclosures and actions completed are in line with the Trusts Domestic Abuse and Record Keeping Policy.
- Ensure that appropriate and timely information is shared if a perpetrator is identified as a Person in Position of Trust to the Safeguarding Lead.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Degree or higher education Diploma equivalent
- Accredited domestic abuse course.
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- Diploma in health and social care
- Freedom project trainer.
- IRIS Model training.
- Trauma informed practice training
Experience
Essential
- Have significant knowledge of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) and other interpersonal violence (rape and sexual violence (SV), historical childhood sexual abuse, honour-based Abuse (HBA) and forced marriage (FM)
- Experience of identifying and responding to the risks to and needs of victims/survivors of domestic Abuse
- Experience of working as a frontline worker with vulnerable adults and children
- Experience of working with victims and/ or survivors of domestic abuse
- Significant proven experience of providing direct emotional practical and welfare support to vulnerable people.
- Experience of identifying and responding to the risks to and needs of victims/survivors of domestic violence and knowledge of support available.
- Understanding the impact of domestic abuse on vulnerable victims and children
- Experience of working in a community setting/ refuge/ advice centre or third sector organisations
Desirable
- Experience of managing complex casework, including issues such as child abuse, mental health, substance abuse.
- Working with vulnerable adults and children and crisis intervention
- Experience of preparing effective reports for case conferences or similar proceedings in which women and children may be involved.
- Evidence of continued professional development
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrate a knowledge of duties required for the post.
- Up to date knowledge of housing, criminal, civil and welfare rights legislation relating to domestic abuse
- Evidence of the ability to build effective relationships, both internally and externally, showing sensitivity for others' viewpoints and valuing diversity.
- Evidence of the ability to work as a team member and within a line management structure, understanding the importance of seeking guidance and support when required
- Demonstrate ability to use Microsoft Office (word, excel, outlook) and the internet.
- Excellent organisational skills
- Self-motivated and demonstrates initiative.
- Able to work across professional teams and organisational boundaries.
- Excellent interpersonal skills
Desirable
- Able to participate in planning and delivering teaching programmes.
- Awareness on how gender, social, economic, race, cultural, linguistic, religious and sexual orientation issues may impact on young people's lives.
- Understanding the wider NHS and local agendas.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Professional curiosity
- Take responsibility for own actions and promotes good team working
- Treats others with courtesy and respect always
- Reflective skills
- Ability to communicate with distressed/ anxious patients and families.
Other job requirements
Essential
- Able to demonstrate Trust values.
- A flexible approach to work
- Effective time management
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Degree or higher education Diploma equivalent
- Accredited domestic abuse course.
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- Diploma in health and social care
- Freedom project trainer.
- IRIS Model training.
- Trauma informed practice training
Experience
Essential
- Have significant knowledge of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) and other interpersonal violence (rape and sexual violence (SV), historical childhood sexual abuse, honour-based Abuse (HBA) and forced marriage (FM)
- Experience of identifying and responding to the risks to and needs of victims/survivors of domestic Abuse
- Experience of working as a frontline worker with vulnerable adults and children
- Experience of working with victims and/ or survivors of domestic abuse
- Significant proven experience of providing direct emotional practical and welfare support to vulnerable people.
- Experience of identifying and responding to the risks to and needs of victims/survivors of domestic violence and knowledge of support available.
- Understanding the impact of domestic abuse on vulnerable victims and children
- Experience of working in a community setting/ refuge/ advice centre or third sector organisations
Desirable
- Experience of managing complex casework, including issues such as child abuse, mental health, substance abuse.
- Working with vulnerable adults and children and crisis intervention
- Experience of preparing effective reports for case conferences or similar proceedings in which women and children may be involved.
- Evidence of continued professional development
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrate a knowledge of duties required for the post.
- Up to date knowledge of housing, criminal, civil and welfare rights legislation relating to domestic abuse
- Evidence of the ability to build effective relationships, both internally and externally, showing sensitivity for others' viewpoints and valuing diversity.
- Evidence of the ability to work as a team member and within a line management structure, understanding the importance of seeking guidance and support when required
- Demonstrate ability to use Microsoft Office (word, excel, outlook) and the internet.
- Excellent organisational skills
- Self-motivated and demonstrates initiative.
- Able to work across professional teams and organisational boundaries.
- Excellent interpersonal skills
Desirable
- Able to participate in planning and delivering teaching programmes.
- Awareness on how gender, social, economic, race, cultural, linguistic, religious and sexual orientation issues may impact on young people's lives.
- Understanding the wider NHS and local agendas.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Professional curiosity
- Take responsibility for own actions and promotes good team working
- Treats others with courtesy and respect always
- Reflective skills
- Ability to communicate with distressed/ anxious patients and families.
Other job requirements
Essential
- Able to demonstrate Trust values.
- A flexible approach to work
- Effective time management
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Bristol Road South
Birmingham
B31 2AP
Employer's website
https://www.roh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
