Current vacancies
Community IDVA & Refuge Support Worker
Job Title: Community IDVA - Refuge Support Worker (Independent Domestic Violence Adviser)
Salary: £24597.04 (Unqualified) / £26,505.44 (Qualified) per annum
Hours: 35
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: Thanet & Dover
Responsible to: Service Manager
Responsible for: No designated reports
Application deadline: Tuesday 14 th November at 5pm
Interviews: Group interview session 23rd November / Panel interview session 24th November
Background
Oasis is a passionate and ambitious organisation committed to tackling the causes and consequences of domestic abuse on families. We are known in Kent & Medway for our dedicated, independent services that have been supporting the cause with a local focus for many years.
Overall:
We provide an efficient service for families affected by domestic violence and abuse across Kent & Medway. These families and individuals will have a range of needs, and our client support work is needs-led, risk-focused & trauma-informed with a focus on developing individual resilience. We work with clients in a range of settings. We provide group working and all support staff are expected to be capable of integrated working in the wider social system. Staff are expected to work flexibly as needed by service demands, this may include evenings and weekends. Staff are also expected to participate in the out-of-hours service, providing an on-call system for the refuge service users (for which enhancements are paid) where necessary.
Working with the mission of the organisation
Frontline roles are the reason for the charity’s existence, and the holder of this post must have excellent team and communication skills (especially in working across the internal and external systems), must have a strong understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence and abuse, and must have excellent boundaries in working within the limits of the role and be committed to ensuring that Oasis service users have excellent support. This role requires a can-do attitude in helping service users to progress on their journeys, building new lives free from violence and abuse.
Competency
Staff at Oasis have a commitment to and optimistic approach to the emotional support and development of their client group. They are reflective about their practice and able to use techniques to keep their work sound and safe for both them and the client.
The organisation utilises a competency framework to enable the development of competent and emotionally intelligent behaviors. All staff are expected to engage with personal learning through the use of this framework. A summary is attached at the end of this role description.
Purpose of the role
The post will be part of the adult services (RAISE interventions), including a range of services aimed at creating a whole family approach to those experiencing domestic abuse living both in a refuge setting and in the community. As a team, you will provide a wraparound approach, along with specialist/statutory services.
The team offers flexible support to recent victims of domestic abuse and their children through a needs-led, risk-focused approach.
The key purpose of an IDVA is to enhance the safety of individuals and children in their homes and communities whilst enabling service users to address their needs. The service aims to enable victims to discuss issues relating to their experiences freely and without judgment. They will be supported in whatever decisions they make and be assisted in accessing other agencies as appropriate to their individual circumstances and wishes.
Community IDVA & Refuge Support Worker
The Community IDVA role has a dual focus, supporting those who are assessed at medium risk in the community and those in refuge accommodation. Community IDVA’s will need to be boundaried and organised in their practice to balance an assorted caseload of both refuge and community clients.
Refuge - 1 to 1, face-to-face support is provided to clients residing within Oasis refuge accommodation, with tailored interventions to meet their individual practical and emotional needs. This involves close liaison with our children’s and family services to offer holistic support for the whole family. Community IDVAs can support the voice of clients throughout their journey within the refuge and must have the skills and capabilities to advocate with a range of partners, particularly when giving resettlement support for clients ready to move on from refuge. Community IDVA’s are responsible for the day-to-day running of our supported accommodations with guidance from the Service Manager.
Community - Much of the support provided to community clients mirrors the needs-led approach provided to refuge clients, but can be provided remotely. The Community team provides emotional support and reassurance, to empower clients to develop the skills and resources necessary to recover, move on and maintain independence and self-reliance. They create support plans that will include but are not limited to, safety planning, housing, and legal and financial matters, which are tailored to meet their clients' needs.
Oasis Domestic Abuse Service is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children; applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
To apply, please send a complete Application Form to recruitment@oasisdaservice.org by 5pm on Tuesday 14th November 2023.
We are a Mindful Employer
We are an equal opportunities organisation. Some roles may be exempt under the Equality Act 2010 pursuant to Schedule 9, Part 1. As such on occasion we may only be able to consider applications from women.