Work for Leeway

Salary: £27,471

Hours: 37hrs

Contract End Date: 1st January 2027

Based: Norwich (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub) MASH

Responsible for: Volunteer Facilitators

Direct Reports: NIDAS Assistant Manager

Job Purpose: You will be part of our team delivering Norfolk Domestic Abuse Services (NIDAS), which is a community-based service providing effective, safe, supportive, and confidential support for service users aged 16 plus who are assessed as high or medium risk and are living with or fleeing domestic abuse.

To enhance the community response to domestic abuse in Norfolk by supporting a network of Domestic Abuse Champions working within services and organisations most likely to have contact with people who are or have been experiencing domestic abuse.

To support early intervention before risk increases by building the skills, knowledge, and capacity of others to identify victims of domestic abuse and respond appropriately.

To co-ordinate and deliver group programmes to provide support for the long-term recovery for survivors of domestic abuse and their children, to prevent re-victimisation and enable survivors to be better able to recover and cope with aspects of everyday life.

To create and deliver training to professionals across Norfolk.

A basic accredited Training and Presentation qualification will be provided where necessary to give the skills and knowledge required for the role (subject to successful completion of probationary period).

Training is provided to facilitate required recovery programmes.

Key Strategic Responsibilities:

• To develop the awareness, confidence, and skills of front-line staff to reduce risk and increase safety for victims of domestic abuse who may not already be engaged with services.
• To ensure the service recognises the needs and concerns of a diverse range of people and addresses them appropriately by working proactively to ensure that a non-discriminatory service is accessible to all eligible service users and external attendees by providing delivery in a range of formats, platforms, locations, and times.
• To communicate positively with colleagues and promote NIDAS values and ethos across the organisation.
• To promote the work of NIDAS modelling a high standard of professional behaviours.

Key Functional Responsibilities:

• To recruit, coordinate and maintain a network of DA Champions within a variety of front-line organisations to deliver a consistent approach to identifying and supporting victims of domestic abuse, ensuring effective coordination with other services.
• Co-ordinate external training delivery to meet national, local, and partner initiatives and develop community capacity that supports wider vulnerability, well-being, economic, and family objectives.
• To facilitate delivery of group programmes across Norfolk by face to face and digital platforms to support the recovery of survivors of domestic abuse and their children and enable them to form support networks and move on with increased confidence and well-being.
• To train and support others to deliver awareness sessions, group programmes and Domestic Abuse Champions training to create a network of recovery facilitators and skills enhancers across Norfolk.
• To undertake regular audits of service user recovery programme needs, external training requirements and distribution of trained domestic abuse champions to identify and develop training and facilitation plans to provide consistent provision that flexibly meets strategic and priority needs.
• Use outcome and evaluation data to review internal and external delivery to ensure that the programmes and training delivered is effective, high quality and meets client and partner need, achieving accreditation for courses that do not currently have this.
• To attend and participate positively in relevant meetings, training, supervision, and appraisals.
• To liaise with and train external agencies to increase public awareness of the issues surrounding domestic abuse.
• To represent NIDAS at appropriate meetings and forums.
• To develop positive links with voluntary and statutory agencies.
• To keep up to date with national and local government decisions pertinent to the role.
• To maintain appropriate records relating to training, DA Champions network, events and other activities.
• To keep clear records relating to safeguarding concerns.
• To undertake all other reasonable tasks requested by the management team.

Education & Qualifications:

• Essential: Idva qualification, or other relevant accreditation would be desirable, or a minimum of two years’ experience of working with victims of domestic abuse.

Experience:

• Essential: Experience of working in a voluntary or statutory agency for a minimum of two years with victims of domestic abuse.
• Essential: Experience and a proven track record of partnership working and have the skills and ability to build and maintain positive relationships with partners and stakeholders.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Essential: Knowledge of legislation, around safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• Essential: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, engaging with both customers, colleagues, and partners.
• Essential: To be confident at presenting information in a variety of situations, including formal training, face to face and remotely and dealing with feedback and challenges.
• Essential: Ability to create an inclusive supportive learning environment that is responsive to the needs of different attendees.
• Essential: IT skills including use of Microsoft Office, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Essential: Inquisitive and problem solving. A commitment to seeking new ways of working to achieve positive outcomes.
• Essential: A clear understanding of Data Protection, confidentiality, and data sharing protocols.
• Essential: An understanding of a strengths-based and trauma informed approach to support.
• Essential: Must have knowledge of Signs of Safety, Family Support Processes, Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adult procedures, Domestic Abuse Risk Assessing, Safety Planning and support agencies.

Values:

• Reliable, enthusiastic, non-judgmental, and understanding.
• Ability to be flexible and work independently, or as part of a team.
• Ability to respond calmly in sometimes pressured situations.
• Respect and value the diversity of the community and recognise the needs and concerns of a diverse range of survivors ensuring the service and your approach is accessible to all.
• Always seek to expand your learning and undertake all training and development essential for this role.

Other:

• Full valid driving licence and use of own transport.

Salary: £29,734

Hours: 37hrs

Based: Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub, Norwich.

Responsible for: Volunteers

Direct Reports: NIDAS Assistant Manager

Job Purpose: The Diverse Communities Specialist IDVA will be part of a confidential, safe, and supportive team, within the Norfolk Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (NIDAS). They will provide effective, safe, supportive, and confidential support for service users aged 16 plus who are from diverse communities and their families including children aged 5-18, who are assessed as high or medium risk, and living with or fleeing domestic abuse.

The purpose of your role will be to work within a multi-agency environment providing a range of support to reduce the posed risk of further harm to service users from diverse communities, and safe engagement when appropriate in criminal justice proceedings, Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Coordination (MARACs), the Sanctuary Scheme and Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) processes.

You will work with statutory and voluntary agencies to identify and establish clear referral pathways and support agencies to generate new referrals and provide information and guidance to increase the identification of service users from diverse communities who have experienced abuse in existing services. Y0u will support colleagues and partner agencies, to provide the best possible service for service users from diverse communities ensuring the service is accessible to all.

You will ensure that our service users receive an excellent level of support that uses a strengths-based and trauma informed approach and is centred around their aims and aspirations.

You will work alongside our service users to ensure that they feel safe, happy with the service they are receiving and have the widest opportunities available to them to enhance their lives and improve their safety and wellbeing. You will participate in the rota system providing cover over 7 days a week. You will represent the service by attending events, providing presentations and talks about NIDAS to multi-agency partners, to promote the service across the county as required.

This role is subject to DBS and enhanced Police security clearance.

Full and accredited IDVA training will be provided where necessary to give the skills and knowledge required for the role (subject to successful completion of probationary period).

Key Strategic Responsibilities:

• Respect and value the diversity of the communities in which the services work in and recognise the needs and concerns of a diverse range of service users ensuring that the service is accessible to all.
• To remain up to date with domestic abuse and working with diverse communities practice and legislation to ensure an informed and effective service.
• To work in a multi-agency environment, safeguarding adults and children.
• Promote Equality, Diversity, Fairness, and Inclusion at all times.
• Promote a ‘Team NIDAS’ culture across the service delivery.
• Ensure that our service users voices are central to all aspects of service delivery and is evidenced through safety and support planning, risk assessment and reviews.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues throughout the NIDAS Partnership to deliver our visions, values and objectives.
• Be innovative in identifying methods to successfully engage with people across a wide range of backgrounds and with diverse needs.
• Look for opportunities to improve and develop services that we offer.
• To promote collaboration and multi-agency working for service users and maintain up to date knowledge of local services to enable recovery.
• Support our service users to link into statutory, health and social care services to maximise their wellbeing and recovery.
• To provide awareness raising on the issues that service users from diverse communities may experience.
• To promote NIDAS and create referral pathways within local diverse communities.

Key Functional Responsibilities:

• To identify and assess the risks and needs of service users from diverse communities using an evidence-based risk identification checklist.
• Build effective relationships with each service user and engage at their pace and in their preferred way; taking a service user led, flexible approach to providing practical and emotional support and advocacy.
• Support the empowerment of service users and assist them in recognising the dynamics of domestic abuse present in their situation and help service users to regain control of their lives.
• To manage a caseload, and regularly review support and safety needs in line with the accredited standards.
• Facilitate a holistic assessment with each service user, building a relationship and creating a personalised support plan that incorporates risk and safety, and builds on their strengths and needs.
• Participate in facilitation of group programmes within the service, supporting colleagues and service users to create and contribute to an environment that makes participation safe, supportive, and fulfilling. Similarly, support group programmes and activities including drop-ins at other services to support service users in the community.
• Comply with all health and safety policies and procedures and carry out activities in a safe manner.
• To maintain accurate and thorough case records.
• Comply within Data Protection, GDRP legislation and best practice.
• To offer a flexible service over 7 days a week to ensure referrals reach the NIDAS IDVA service.
• To offer telephone, virtual, group or face to face advice and support to service users who have been assessed as high or medium risk.
• To liaise with other teams within the NIDAS partnership to ensure seamless handover of service between the triage service and other teams within NIDAS.
• To track cases through the Police, CPS, court, and other systems to ensure service users have accurate and up to date information in compliance with the GDPR, confidentiality and data protection.
• To provide or coordinate support for criminal justice trials as required.
• To ensure that all safeguarding issues and concerns are reported and dealt with in accordance with organisational policy and procedure, legislation, and best practice.
• To promote and work within the policies and guidelines of NIDAS and employing organisations.
• To attend regular supervision and case management sessions.
• To complete comprehensive induction and training agenda.
• To carry out any such duties that may be reasonably required.

Education & Qualifications:

• An accredited IDVA qualification or working to work towards one.
• Driving licence, business insurance and ability to travel around Norfolk

Experience:

• Lived experience of belonging to a diverse community.
• Experience of working with vulnerable service users from diverse communities.
• Experience of working in a voluntary or statutory agency for a minimum of two years with victims of domestic abuse.
• Experience of public speaking and advocating for victims.
• Experience of working within a multi-agency environment.
• Experience of managing a complex caseload.
• Experience of using risk assessment tools for victims of domestic abuse.

Knowledge & Skills:

• A good understanding of domestic abuse including the impact of domestic abuse on service users from diverse communities and their children.
• A good understanding of common experiences and needs of diverse communities, including the specific barriers to disclosure of domestic abuse for service users from diverse communities.
• Understand and be committed to equal opportunities and diversity issues in policy and practice.
• Knowledge of legislation around safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, engaging with service users, colleagues, and other professionals.
• Excellent IT skills including use of Microsoft Office, Teams, case management systems, and databases.
• Inquisitive and problem solving. A commitment to seeking new ways of working to achieve positive outcomes.
• A clear understanding of data protection, confidentiality, and data sharing protocols.
• An understanding of a strengths-based and trauma informed approach to support.

Values:

• Reliable, enthusiastic, non-judgmental, and understanding.
• Ability to be flexible and work independently, or as part of a team
• Ability to respond calmly in sometimes pressured situations.
• Respect and value the diversity of communities and recognise the needs and concerns of a diverse range of service users ensuring the service and your approach is accessible to all.
• Always seek to expand your learning and undertake all training and development essential for this role.