Job summary
Blackpool Teaching Hospital Foundation Trust (BTHFT) seeks to appoint a Health Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) to be part of the Safeguarding Team working with Police Colleagues within Operation Provide.
As a health IDVA working on Operation Provide, you will be working alongside Lancashire Police to support victims of domestic violence. The role of the health IDVA is to work on the front line with a police officer for the duration of the shift and provide face to face support for victims of domestic abuse. Health IDVA's often see the Victim, whilst the offender is in custody or may be required to attend a live incident and see the victim once safe to do so. The role of the Health IDVA is to provide immediate safeguarding support and safety planning advice. You will assist victims and signpost to other services and will always have support from a police officer. This service runs over 7 days therefore includes weekend and shift work 0700-1500, 1400-2200 . The area covered is Lancaster and Blackpool , therefore the post holder must have a clean driving licence and access to a vehicle to attend bases.
'This post is subject to satisfactory completion of NHS vetting checks and level 2 police vetting. Level 2 police vetting consists of a personal criminal background check, financial assessment and will require back ground checks on immediate family members, and intimate partners due to the nature of working with confidential and sensitive information'
Main duties of the job
You will have strong communication skills and experience of partnership working, as the role will involve maintaining effective multi-agency relationships and contribute to multiagency working as required by the role and adhering to statutory protocols and procedures.
- To operate within BTHFT frameworks adhering to the policies and procedures of the organisation.
- To provide guidance and training about our service to other professionals in order for them to identify and refer potential high risks victims.
- To provide support and safety planning to victims of domestic abuse and violence
- To establish key working relationships with services.
- Ensure appropriate pathways for referrals into community services.
- Participate and contribute to multi-agency working in respect of adults and children deemed to be at risk, as required.
- Role may involve hospital based working
- Position is flexible to meet the needs of the service which will include evening, weekend and bank holiday working
About us
Blackpool Teaching Hospital Foundation Trust (BTHFT) seeks to appoint a Health Independent Domestic Violence Advisor to be part of the safeguarding team.
The post holder will work out in the community alongside Lancashire Police and will work closely with the victims and other agencies to ensure appropriate safety planning is in place.
Working for the team it is essential that you are victim focused and able to build good working relationships with a range of professionals.
A pro-active service to support victims within a health role, risk assess and keep victims safe. Help victims understand their rights. Help victims access services they require. Aim to reduce repeat incidents of domestic abuse and violence and increase engagement with Safeguarding and with the Police.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This position is also subject to successful Police Vetting in addition to NHS Checks, therefore should your Police Vetting check be unsuccessful after you have commenced in post, this would result in the termination of your contract.
The post holder will:
-
Liaison with and work flexibly in conjunction with a variety of internal departments including the Emergency Department and external agencies. Communicating with members of the public, victims, victims families, witnesses, and other professionals from outside agencies, decisions, and departments.
- Make sure that national standards and procedures are observed, particularly those relating to safe practice, confidentiality and information sharing.
- Follow procedures and protocols with other services so that the safety of the victim is kept central to any process
- Support colleagues, through peer supervision, and partner agencies, through awareness raising and institutional advocacy, to provide the best possible service to victims of Domestic Abuse.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to delivering high standards to the service with an emphasis on Quality at all times.
- Carry out any other duties which are consistent with the nature, responsibilities, and grading of the post.
- Work in a flexible way enabling the needs of the service to be met.
- Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This position is also subject to successful Police Vetting in addition to NHS Checks, therefore should your Police Vetting check be unsuccessful after you have commenced in post, this would result in the termination of your contract.
The post holder will:
-
Liaison with and work flexibly in conjunction with a variety of internal departments including the Emergency Department and external agencies. Communicating with members of the public, victims, victims families, witnesses, and other professionals from outside agencies, decisions, and departments.
- Make sure that national standards and procedures are observed, particularly those relating to safe practice, confidentiality and information sharing.
- Follow procedures and protocols with other services so that the safety of the victim is kept central to any process
- Support colleagues, through peer supervision, and partner agencies, through awareness raising and institutional advocacy, to provide the best possible service to victims of Domestic Abuse.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to delivering high standards to the service with an emphasis on Quality at all times.
- Carry out any other duties which are consistent with the nature, responsibilities, and grading of the post.
- Work in a flexible way enabling the needs of the service to be met.
- Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- IDVA qualification or have relevant experience working with victims of Domestic Abuse
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of Domestic Abuse; its impact on victims and their children.
- Knowledge of Honour-Based Violence, Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation
- Knowledge of perpetrators abusive behaviours within relationships including family relationships, male victims, same sex relationships and older adults.
- Thorough knowledge of safeguarding practice, procedures and legislation
- Good understanding of the criminal justice system and civil options available to domestic abuse victims.
- Knowledge and understanding of national and local policies and strategies in all aspects of domestic abuse.
- Demonstrable knowledge of recent health and care guidance and legislative policy specifically in relation to domestic abuse.
- A good understanding of the importance of confidentiality and safeguarding.
- Extensive experience of managing a caseload and supporting service users
- Experience of advocacy work including undertaking of risk and needs assessment, safety and support planning and management of cases where complex/multiple needs are present.
- Experience of domestic abuse policy, procedures, process in a social/health care related environment
- Experience in working collaboratively with other professionals and agencies with complex issues and in complex situations
- Experience of supporting and educating others in relation to domestic abuse.
Desirable
- Leadership qualities and experience
- Experience of Supervision of staff.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent listening and communication skills with a wide range of people of all ages and backgrounds.
- Ability to work in partnership, network, influence, problem solve, overcome barriers and apply solution focused approaches
- Good time management skills and ability to work under pressure and to deadlines.
- Excellent presentation skills and able to deliver training relevant to the role
- Ability to work well within a team and under own initiative and maintaining professional boundaries with service users
- Effective interpersonal and influencing skills including being able to communicate effectively across all disciplines
- Sound reporting skills
- Computer IT literate
- Good understanding of the NHS, social care including the political, strategic and operational environment in which it operates
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- IDVA qualification or have relevant experience working with victims of Domestic Abuse
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of Domestic Abuse; its impact on victims and their children.
- Knowledge of Honour-Based Violence, Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation
- Knowledge of perpetrators abusive behaviours within relationships including family relationships, male victims, same sex relationships and older adults.
- Thorough knowledge of safeguarding practice, procedures and legislation
- Good understanding of the criminal justice system and civil options available to domestic abuse victims.
- Knowledge and understanding of national and local policies and strategies in all aspects of domestic abuse.
- Demonstrable knowledge of recent health and care guidance and legislative policy specifically in relation to domestic abuse.
- A good understanding of the importance of confidentiality and safeguarding.
- Extensive experience of managing a caseload and supporting service users
- Experience of advocacy work including undertaking of risk and needs assessment, safety and support planning and management of cases where complex/multiple needs are present.
- Experience of domestic abuse policy, procedures, process in a social/health care related environment
- Experience in working collaboratively with other professionals and agencies with complex issues and in complex situations
- Experience of supporting and educating others in relation to domestic abuse.
Desirable
- Leadership qualities and experience
- Experience of Supervision of staff.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent listening and communication skills with a wide range of people of all ages and backgrounds.
- Ability to work in partnership, network, influence, problem solve, overcome barriers and apply solution focused approaches
- Good time management skills and ability to work under pressure and to deadlines.
- Excellent presentation skills and able to deliver training relevant to the role
- Ability to work well within a team and under own initiative and maintaining professional boundaries with service users
- Effective interpersonal and influencing skills including being able to communicate effectively across all disciplines
- Sound reporting skills
- Computer IT literate
- Good understanding of the NHS, social care including the political, strategic and operational environment in which it operates
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Blackpool & Lancaster Police Station
Gerry Richardson way
Blackpool and Lancaster
FY4 4FG
Employer's website
https://www.bfwh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
