Purpose of the post:

• To work as part of the Women’s Support (WS) team to support and empower women who have experience of domestic abuse. In doing so, providing a quality service that meets legal requirements and DWA standards, policies and guidelines.
• To promote the work of DWA in the local and wider community and work in partnership with others to develop services and provide support within the community.
• To work with a wide range of women who may have complex needs.
• To participate as part of the team in the ongoing development of services to abused women whether in refuge, re-housed from refuge or through the outreach service.

Key tasks & responsibilities

1. Direct Services to Women

• Complete assessments (face to face and by telephone) with all women accessing DWA services, identifying risks and supporting women in managing their safety through development of safety plans and liaising with police and other relevant agencies.
• Provide emotional, practical support and information to women as required. This could be on a one-to one basis, and/or in group setting.
• Update and maintain DWA case management system for new referrals, managing the waiting list, and regularly checking in with those who are awaiting allocation of a DA Practitioner.
• Support and empower women as appropriate and as determined by a person-centred assessment and support plan, with a particular focus on domestic abuse.
• Admit women and children (if any) to refuge OR support them to access alternative accommodation as required.
• Ensure women accessing the services receive appropriate and accurate information including advice about their rights, in particular their various housing options.
• Liaise and advocate on behalf of service users with external agencies. This may involve accompanying women to appointments and referral to other appropriate agencies.
• Deliver and support the delivery of our group work programmes.
• Encourage good relationships between mother and child(ren) and be aware of child protection issues.
• Keep up to date with changes in legislation and working practices and ensure Health & Social Care Standards and SSSC requirements are met at all times.
• Ensure, in conjunction with the Facilities Team, that refuges are maintained to a high standard.
• Attend multi agency meetings, as appropriate, for the purposes of protecting and advocating on behalf of service users.
• Cover DWA telephone support line on a rota basis

2. Promoting the Work of DWA

• Help raise awareness of domestic abuse within the local and wider community
• Help develop positive working relationships with key partner agencies and stakeholders in pursuance of WS objectives.
• Support the promotion of DWA’s public and media profile.
• Attend appropriate meetings and events on behalf of DWA.
• Liaise and work in partnership with education, health, housing professionals, other voluntary and statutory agencies who could share knowledge and resources.
• Work in partnership with Scottish Women’s Aid and the wider Women’s Aid to share and develop good practice.

3. Internal

• Work in accordance with: Dundee Women’s Aid standards, policies, procedures and guidelines; requirements of funders; Health & Social Care Standards, Child Protection and other relevant legislation.
• Encourage and support service users in participating in events and opportunities to help the shaping of our service, including through monitoring and evaluation and service user focus groups.
• Assist with the development, monitoring and evaluation of the services to women in refuge, follow on and outreach.
• Perform administrative tasks timeously to ensure a seamless service.
• Ensure quantitative and qualitative information on support and related issues is completed regularly.

4. Working Approach

• Work collaboratively and assist, as appropriate, other DWA workers. This includes regularly attending team/other relevant meetings and keeping colleagues up-to-date on relevant work issues.
• Support the CEO and Directors in creating a positive, supportive and participatory working environment which fulfils the aims and objectives of DWA.
• Reflect on practice to ensure delivery of a professional service and positive learning experience.
• Support the CEO and Directors in creating a continuously improving organisation focussed on service users and service user involvement.
• Take a proactive role in promoting equality and anti-discriminatory practice throughout all aspects of the work.

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 details about the role and to apply, please visit the Dundee Women’s Aid website

Closing: 8:00am Friday 28th January 2022.