Job summary
Blackpool Teaching Hospital Foundation Trust (BTHFT) seeks to appoint a Health Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (HIDVA) to be based at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. As a Health IDVA, you will be working alongside multi-agency professionals to support victims of domestic abuse and violence. The role of the Health IDVA is to provide immediate safeguarding support, safety planning and risk management plan. You will assist victims and signpost to other services and will have support from a wider safeguarding team. This service runs over 7 days and is shift work between the hours of 07:00 and 00:00. The post holder must have a clean driving licence and access to a vehicle to attend various bases.
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 is hospital based working
- Position is flexible to meet the needs of the service which will include evening, weekend and bank holiday working
About us
A great employment opportunity has arisen at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals as a Health Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (HIDVA). Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation is the provider of HIDVA services across Blackpool and the Fylde Coast and Lancaster and Morecambe, providing an enhanced response to victims of domestic abuse. Our Health IDVA service aims to achieve better outcomes for victims of domestic abuse. The service has been recognised nationally, winning a Nursing Times Award in 2020.
Working for the team it is essential that you are victim focused and able to build good working relationships with a range of professionals. If you have proven experience in supporting victims of Domestic Abuse and want to be part of an innovative team ensuring a more timely response to support victims of DA, this role could be for you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will:
- Develop healths role in service provision for victims of Domestic Abuse and violence.
- Work with colleagues to identify, assess, provide immediate support and refer potential victims of Domestic Abuse for further support.
- Play an active part in the planning and delivery of the Trusts multi-disciplinary and multi-agency training.
- Contribute to monitoring, auditing, and review of training delivered to ensure training is of a high standard and up to date.
- Demonstrate an ability to manage, over prolonged periods of time, emotionally demanding work that is frequently distressing and stressful.
- 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.
- Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle.
The post holder will work closely with the victims to ensure appropriate safety planning is in place.
Promote a pro-active service to support victims within a health setting, risk assess and keep clients safe. Help clients access their rights. Help clients access health and other services they require. Aim to reduce repeat incidents of domestic abuse and violence and increase engagement with Safeguarding, Police and community Domestic Abuse services.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will:
- Develop healths role in service provision for victims of Domestic Abuse and violence.
- Work with colleagues to identify, assess, provide immediate support and refer potential victims of Domestic Abuse for further support.
- Play an active part in the planning and delivery of the Trusts multi-disciplinary and multi-agency training.
- Contribute to monitoring, auditing, and review of training delivered to ensure training is of a high standard and up to date.
- Demonstrate an ability to manage, over prolonged periods of time, emotionally demanding work that is frequently distressing and stressful.
- 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.
- Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle.
The post holder will work closely with the victims to ensure appropriate safety planning is in place.
Promote a pro-active service to support victims within a health setting, risk assess and keep clients safe. Help clients access their rights. Help clients access health and other services they require. Aim to reduce repeat incidents of domestic abuse and violence and increase engagement with Safeguarding, Police and community Domestic Abuse services.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- IDVA qualification or have extensive case management experience, for example in criminal justice work, health, social care or other relevant area.
- 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.
- 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 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
- Experience of domestic abuse policy, procedures, process in a social/health care related environment
- Demonstrable knowledge of recent health and care guidance and legislative policy specifically in relation to domestic abuse.
Skills
Essential
- EExcellent communication skills with ability to communicate effectively across all disciplines
- Ability to work in partnership, network, influence, problem solve, overcome barriers and apply solution focused approaches.
- Good time management skills with 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
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries with service users
- Ability to produce comprehensive reports
- Computer IT literate
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- IDVA qualification or have extensive case management experience, for example in criminal justice work, health, social care or other relevant area.
- 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.
- 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 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
- Experience of domestic abuse policy, procedures, process in a social/health care related environment
- Demonstrable knowledge of recent health and care guidance and legislative policy specifically in relation to domestic abuse.
Skills
Essential
- EExcellent communication skills with ability to communicate effectively across all disciplines
- Ability to work in partnership, network, influence, problem solve, overcome barriers and apply solution focused approaches.
- Good time management skills with 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
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries with service users
- Ability to produce comprehensive reports
- Computer IT literate
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).