Family Court IDVA

Women; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

BSWA is seeking a Family Court IDVA to deliver a high-quality advocacy and support service to women involved in private family law proceedings.

You will work with court partners to ensure women’s voices are heard, carry out risk assessments, and support access to safety and services for women and their children.

Job description

Family Court IDVA

POST : Family Court IDVA

HOURS OF WORK: 30 hours per week (some out of hours work will be expected)

SALARY: £31,537 pro rata

JOB PURPOSE:

• To deliver a high-quality support and advocacy service to women subjected to domestic violence, who are involved in private family law proceedings
• To work alongside court partners to help ensure women’s and children’s voices are heard through the proceedings and safety prioritised.

RESPONSIBLE TO: Children & Families Partnerships Manager

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

SUPPORT WORK:

• To recognise women and children’s individual needs, providing a support service to meet those needs, advocating on their behalf where appropriate
• To support the empowerment of the service user and facilitate their understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence
• To carry out and regularly review risk assessments and safety planning with women, keeping them informed about developments in legal proceedings as they arise
• To support women to access services to help keep them and their children safe and to meet needs
• To devise and implement appropriate and safe methods of communication with women and children, in agreement with your line manager
• To work alongside partner agencies involved in the family court process, ensuring the woman’s voice is heard and represented

DEVELOPMENT:

• To work with line manager to develop operational protocols to define partnership arrangements and the referral process
• To identify and build up links with CAFCASS and other referral partners
• To keep abreast of issues regarding domestic violence on a national and local level, including legislative changes, with particular reference to those that may affect the work of the project
• To participate in multi-agency work, including contributing to training, as agreed with your line manager
• To explore the development of volunteering opportunities within the Project
• To promote awareness of BSWA services and the impact of domestic violence on women and children

ADMINISTRATION:

• To work within BSWA’s administrative and financial systems
• To ensure that clear and accurate records are kept for all service users
• To monitor and evaluate the service, via various methods including feedback from service users
• To contribute where appropriate to the preparation of returns for funders
• To ensure that Health and Safety records are kept up to date

COMMUNICATION:

• To ensure that all staff team members are aware of any matters that are relevant to the welfare and security of the services, staff, volunteers and service users by:
• Maintaining BSWA communication records
• Following safety procedures
• Attending team meetings
• To attend in-house and Family Court training
• To attend support and supervision sessions with your line manager
• To develop a professional working relationship with external agencies
• To feedback relevant issues from external meetings/ training to the staff and management teams as appropriate
• To be involved in the Annual Review process
• To promote awareness of the impact of domestic violence on women and children and BSWA services to external agencies linked with the Court project

GENERAL:

• To maintain the confidentiality of the women and children using the service and, in all matters, relating to the organisation
• To offer an equal service to all women and children regardless of age, class, culture, language, race, religion and sexual orientation
• To work within BSWA policies and procedures and demonstrate a commitment to the values and ethos of BSWA
• To work within BSWA and local multi-agency child and adult safeguarding procedures
• To work within BSWA’s framework for equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice
• To undertake any other duties required by BSWA, which may arise and commensurate with the post

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is at 12 noononWednesday4thNovember. Interviews will take place weeks commencing 16thand 23rdNovember.