Domestic Abuse Health Advocate

NHS; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job description

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in assisting health services to enable victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence/behaviours to become survivors.

Are you an enthusiastic, team player with excellent skills within Domestic Abuse and safeguarding?

Do you want to make a difference every day?

Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it?

Do you have resilience & adaptability?

Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care?

If yes, then we'd love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

To work within STSFT, providing a DAHA service to victims of domestic abuse, supporting South Tyneside and Sunderland Foundation Trust and working in collaboration with other teams within the Safeguarding services.

As a DAHA, you will work in allocated areas to support the wider DA agenda across the South Tyneside and Sunderland Domestic abuse partnerships.

This role involves both face-to-face visibility and virtual support across the trust, especially within the Emergency and Maternity departments. Supporting staff in recognising victims and responding appropriately to DA disclosures will also be key.

You may be a qualified IDVA or a Domestic Abuse Outreach Worker wanting to work alongside health professionals in a hospital environment, although we will consider applicants from other fields providing you are able to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of domestic abuse.

To succeed, you will need to be flexible and assertive and be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of domestic abuse issues within a busy acute hospital, and the wider health economy.

The successful candidate will be required to promote a culture of Think Family as part of the wider safeguarding team.

About us

Please help us by adding your telephone number to your application form; this will allow us to contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award-winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under-represented groups. Looking after our workforce's health and wellbeing is a priority for STSFT. We also provide access to high-quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via the Trust's Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,300 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area, in some cases to a population as great as 860,000. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Childcare Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.

The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated.

Job responsibilities

To provide domestic abuse health advocacy to STSFT patients, especially within ED and Maternity.

The post holder will be expected to be flexible to meet the DAHA services requirement within the commissioning arrangements as set out by North East and Cumbria Integrated Care Board and local delivery teams.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience of working with vulnerable people/ victims of domestic abuse and or sexual violence
• Understanding of health economy
• Experience of managing a caseload
• Experience of working within a multi-agency and legislative framework.
• Have a good understanding of domestic abuse and or sexual violence, including the impact of domestic abuse on victims and their children
• Evidence of practice development
• Experience of coordinating care for a caseload of patients
• Experience of working in a health care setting

Qualifications

• Communication / counselling skills training
• IDVA training
• ISVA training

Skills and Knowledge

• Have theoretical, practical and procedural knowledge of civil and criminal justice support for victims of domestic abuse and or sexual violence and their children.
• Understand child and adult safeguarding and the legal responsibilities surrounding this
• Understand the principles of risk assessment, safety planning and risk management for victims of domestic abuse and or sexual violence and their children.
• Understand the remits and resources of relevant statutory bodies and voluntary agencies.
• Understand and be committed to equal opportunities and diversity issues in policy and practice.
• Analysing and communicating sensitive and complex information in relation to operational issues relating to the organisation and to partner agencies as required.

Physical Skills

• Competent in the use of IT equipment including Microsoft packages eg Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Keyboard skills to complete patient assessment documentation/care plans and other relevant paperwork.
• Ability to maintain accurate patient records, adhering to strict patient and family confidentiality as per GDPR.

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 name

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust