Barnardo’s and Dundee Women’s Aid (DWA) have an exciting opportunity for people to join our Multi-Agency Independent Advocacy Service (MIA), who have a genuine interest in working with victims of domestic abuse.

The MIA Service is currently undergoing a transition to a new model. We are developing an integrated Specialist Domestic Abuse Court Advocacy and Support Service focused on reducing risk and improving the safety and wellbeing of victims of domestic abuse in Dundee, which aims to ensure that all victims; women, children, and men, are safe, informed and supported throughout their involvement with the criminal justice system. Applicants should have a knowledge of domestic abuse and be committed to working with those who experience it, be enthusiastic, motivated, have excellent communication skills and be able to work collaboratively in a multi agency environment, evidencing a respectful and inclusive approach. You will be creative, innovative, adaptable, dynamic and able to deliver an empathic and robust service. The use of a non-judgemental approach is essential, and you should be able to evidence professional curiosity. This is an exciting new service model which is being funded by Scottish Government for 1 year initially, with a possibility of extension dependent on future funding opportunities.

PURPOSE OF THE POST

To provide advocacy and support services to the children of survivors of domestic abuse who are referred to ASSIST following a domestic incident which is proceeding to court. To provide a pro-active, short to medium term, needs-based service within a multi-agency framework to young victims of domestic abuse, focussing on those at most risk. To work with the children and young people of clients at high or medium risk or who have a case proceeding to court.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• To liaise with MIA IDAA Workers to identify children and young people requiring support.
• To collaborate actively with Advocacy Workers to address immediate safety concerns for children and young people.
• To contact the non-abusing parent/carer or young victim by telephone (where appropriate and safe to do so) to offer crisis intervention, information and support specific to the child/young person’s needs. Support the survivor/ young victim to identify and take action to address any concerns s/he may have for the safety or well-being of her/himself and her/his children, while ensuring adherence to existing child protection procedures.
• Where appropriate arrange face-to-face contact with the child/young person and non-abusing parent/carer to provide a supportive environment to discuss the child/young person’s experience of domestic abuse, fears and hopes and to initiate discussion about safety planning, court processes and referral options
• For children of survivors support the non-abusing parent/carer to identify and take action to address any concerns s/he may have for the safety or well-being of her/himself and her/his child/young person
• To liaise with agencies on behalf of children/young victims to facilitate maximum use of local resources, activities and services, this includes raising awareness within MIA of any gaps in services
• To liaise with other agencies at appropriate intervals to ensure the safety and support needs of children and young victims are being addressed, this may include working with the Police, Procurator Fiscal, Victim Information and Advice, Women’s Aid, Victim Support Scotland, Social Work Services, and courts.
• Where a child or young victim is cited as a witness in court, ensure that appropriate action is taken to enable supportive and protective measures can be put in place
• To work closely with the MIA IDAA Workers to actively monitor risk to the child and/or young victim (and the non-abusing parent/carer) and collaborate on developing safety plans inclusive of clients and children/young victims.
• To work directly with children/young victims to develop age-appropriate personal safety plans
• To alert the Service Manager to the need for a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) meeting and participate in and contribute to MARAC meetings as directed
• To follow up on specific actions designated to MIA as part of the MARAC
• To keep the Service Manager informed of problems and successes to enable appropriate action to be taken
• To maintain and update accurate written and electronic service user records and make this information available to the Service Manager and partner agencies (e.g. within the MARAC process), while ensuring adherence to MIA multi-agency information procedures and protocols
• To be involved in the development and delivery of a safe and sensitive process for gathering and disseminating the views of survivors referred to MIA
• Where appropriate support the MIA management team in the preparation and presentation of verbal and written reports
• To keep up to date on relevant research, legislation and policy development and ensure that MIA practice is informed by recent developments in the field of domestic abuse as it impacts upon children and young victims
• To act as an effective representative of MIA by promoting the work and ethos of MIA.
• To undertake any other duties as requested by the Service Manager or Senior IDAA
• To work at all times to the ethos, values, protocols and service standards governing MIA and its partner agencies, Barnardo’s and Dundee Women’s Aid.
• To ensure the confidentiality and security of all information in accordance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK General Data Protection Regulation
• To comply with Barnardo’s/Dundee Women’s Aid Equality Policy.
• To comply with relevant health & safety legislation, good practice and the ethos of the employing agency, Barnardo’s/Dundee Women’s Aid.
• To carry out any other duties relevant to the post, as and when required.

This post requires a PVG scheme record check for both types of regulated work – work with children and work with protected adults.

This job description cannot cover every issue or task that may arise within the scope of the post. The post-holder will be expected to carry out other duties from time to time which are broadly consistent with the duties as detailed above.

For further information, including a generic Barnardo's job description at details of how to apply, please download the Information Pack from our vacancies page linked below.

The recruitment process is being coordinated by DWA and an Information Pack and Application Form are available on the vacancies page on our website dundeewomensaid.co.uk/vacancies.php or for further information please call 01382 220803 or email opportunities@dundeewomensaid.co.uk