Hospital Independent Domestic Violence Advocate
The Hospital IDVA (HIDVA) will be part of our dynamic, responsive and highly regarded HIDVA team, providing crisis intervention, advocacy and support to survivors in hospitals and health settings, both patients and staff.
We are looking for someone with an excellent understanding of domestic abuse and its effects on women and children, who is experienced in supporting survivors with varying needs. You will be report to the HIDVA Manager and receive training and an induction into both the hospital work and Rising Sun s wider services. If unqualified, we will support you to complete a formal domestic abuse qualification.
We offer an out of hours phone service (Friday evenings and weekend days) together with on-site cover within the hospitals during important events where domestic abuse has been shown to increase, such as Bank Holidays, Valentine s Day and Football Tournaments. The post holder will be expected to participate in the out of hours rota, TOIL and flexible working to recompense for this, as well as overtime for bank holidays/ special events if required on site.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Support to Survivors
Be present in the hospitals to respond to referrals or requests for domestic abuse advice and to meet with survivors.
Ensure that survivors are aware of their rights and options and explain the effectiveness of criminal and civil sanctions available to them.
Produce safety plans with the client, enabling them to assess and manage their own safety.
Carry out needs assessments, including DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour Based Violence) risk assessment, to effectively deliver holistic, survivor centred support.
Work in partnership with hospital staff, safeguarding departments and other services e.g. the police, housing, social services, mental health (amongst others) to advocate for survivors and complete referrals to ongoing support services where appropriate.
Attend Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) meetings and refer service users to MARAC when appropriate.
Assist clients in gaining access to solicitors, benefits agencies, housing departments, education, medical treatment, counselling, support networks, community groups, employment support etc.
Recognise, respect and address the needs of survivors who face particular barriers when seeking access to services, including those from minority groups or with protected characteristics.
Safeguard the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk; working within safeguarding policies, Child Protection Procedures and local procedures for safeguarding adults at risk.
Maintain accurate client records, outcome and monitoring data. Prepare information or reports for the monitoring and evaluation of the service.
Participate in an out of hours rota, providing an on-call phone support service to hospital staff on Friday evenings and weekend days as timetabled.
Partnership Working and Training
Promote the HIDVA service in the hospitals and build positive relationships with hospital staff, in particular safeguarding teams and clinicians.
Attend safeguarding, doctor and nurse handover meetings to screen patients for potential domestic abuse and provide advice to staff.
Deliver training to staff in various health settings across Kent to raise awareness of domestic abuse, safe enquiry and appropriate responding.
General
Maintain commitment to and work in line with the Rising Sun Framework.
Uphold the rights of women, children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse, and proactively assess the gender specific, trauma informed needs and the safety of children and women to ensure that any risks/needs identified are addressed, having full regard to Rising Sun Safeguarding Children policy and Safeguarding Adults policy
Ensure confidentiality on all appropriate matters, and adhere to the requirements of the Data Protection Act.
Comply with Rising Sun s policies and procedures.
Demonstrate a commitment to continued professional development, being responsible for personal learning and keeping up to date on research, relevant legislation, policy and practice, and other literature relevant to the role.
Work across teams and undertake such other duties, appropriate to the grade and nature of the work, as may reasonably be expected.
We are looking for someone with an excellent understanding of domestic abuse and its effects on women and children, who is experienced in supporting survivors with varying needs. You will be report to the HIDVA Manager and receive training and an induction into both the hospital work and Rising Sun s wider services. If unqualified, we will support you to complete a formal domestic abuse qualification.
We offer an out of hours phone service (Friday evenings and weekend days) together with on-site cover within the hospitals during important events where domestic abuse has been shown to increase, such as Bank Holidays, Valentine s Day and Football Tournaments. The post holder will be expected to participate in the out of hours rota, TOIL and flexible working to recompense for this, as well as overtime for bank holidays/ special events if required on site.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Support to Survivors
Be present in the hospitals to respond to referrals or requests for domestic abuse advice and to meet with survivors.
Ensure that survivors are aware of their rights and options and explain the effectiveness of criminal and civil sanctions available to them.
Produce safety plans with the client, enabling them to assess and manage their own safety.
Carry out needs assessments, including DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour Based Violence) risk assessment, to effectively deliver holistic, survivor centred support.
Work in partnership with hospital staff, safeguarding departments and other services e.g. the police, housing, social services, mental health (amongst others) to advocate for survivors and complete referrals to ongoing support services where appropriate.
Attend Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) meetings and refer service users to MARAC when appropriate.
Assist clients in gaining access to solicitors, benefits agencies, housing departments, education, medical treatment, counselling, support networks, community groups, employment support etc.
Recognise, respect and address the needs of survivors who face particular barriers when seeking access to services, including those from minority groups or with protected characteristics.
Safeguard the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk; working within safeguarding policies, Child Protection Procedures and local procedures for safeguarding adults at risk.
Maintain accurate client records, outcome and monitoring data. Prepare information or reports for the monitoring and evaluation of the service.
Participate in an out of hours rota, providing an on-call phone support service to hospital staff on Friday evenings and weekend days as timetabled.
Partnership Working and Training
Promote the HIDVA service in the hospitals and build positive relationships with hospital staff, in particular safeguarding teams and clinicians.
Attend safeguarding, doctor and nurse handover meetings to screen patients for potential domestic abuse and provide advice to staff.
Deliver training to staff in various health settings across Kent to raise awareness of domestic abuse, safe enquiry and appropriate responding.
General
Maintain commitment to and work in line with the Rising Sun Framework.
Uphold the rights of women, children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse, and proactively assess the gender specific, trauma informed needs and the safety of children and women to ensure that any risks/needs identified are addressed, having full regard to Rising Sun Safeguarding Children policy and Safeguarding Adults policy
Ensure confidentiality on all appropriate matters, and adhere to the requirements of the Data Protection Act.
Comply with Rising Sun s policies and procedures.
Demonstrate a commitment to continued professional development, being responsible for personal learning and keeping up to date on research, relevant legislation, policy and practice, and other literature relevant to the role.
Work across teams and undertake such other duties, appropriate to the grade and nature of the work, as may reasonably be expected.