Job Title: MARAC Connections IDVA - (Independent Domestic Violence Adviser)

Salary: £26,505 (Unqualified) / £28,477 (Qualified) per annum

Hours: 35

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: Medway

Responsible to: Service Manager

Responsible for: No designated reports

Application deadline: Friday 1oth November at 5pm

Interviews: Group interview session 29th November / Panel interview session 1st December

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 work 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. Where necessary 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)

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 MDAS (Medway Domestic Abuse Service) team, which offers a range of services aimed at creating a whole family approach to those experiencing domestic abuse living 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 through a needs-led, risk-focused approach.

The key purpose of an MDAS 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 judgement. They will be supported in whatever decisions they make and be assisted in accessing other agencies as appropriate to their individual circumstances and wishes.

They work within a multi-agency partnership to ensure risk-led support of clients experiencing domestic abuse. They will conduct rigorous safety planning, enable the client to move forward in their recovery, and ensure a coordinated community response to the client’s needs. When the client’s risk is deemed high, MDAS IDVAs work to support and represent clients through MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference).  They are the voice of clients during the MARAC process and must have the skills and capabilities to advocate with a range of partners and this role will include your attendance at the MARAC meeting.

The team creates support plans that will include, but are not limited to, safety planning, housing, legal, and financial matters, which are tailored to meet their clients' needs. This role will also have an accessibility focus. This involves assertive engagement and intervention that creates opportunities for those who may be deemed to have ‘complex needs’ to be involved with the service. They should have a good understanding of trauma-informed practice and be able to offer services that meet the needs of people with a range of additional needs.

In addition, IDVAs may have specialisms as described below.

Connections IDVA

This is an MDAS IDVA who will specifically be supporting those experiencing domestic abuse living in Asian communities.

The Connections IDVA role is an exciting new post that has a dual focus, directly supporting those who are assessed at all risk levels in the local Asian communities and building relationships with those same communities in Medway to raise awareness and dispel myths of domestic abuse, whilst respecting cultures and faiths. Acting as the point of contact within local faith and community groups, the aim of the Community IDVA is to promote referrals that enable victims to discuss issues relating to their experiences freely and without judgement.

The Connections IDVA will have a comprehensive understanding of Asian cultures and be willing to positively engage with community groups and Faith leaders at a time convenient to them.

There will be an expectation to assist the Service Manager with report writing and collating evidence and data relating to the issues surrounding this client group, as well as sharing good practice and information with colleagues, funders, and partner agencies.

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.

We are an Equal Opportunities organisation. This role is exempt under the Equality Act 2010 pursuant to Schedule 9, Part 1. As such we can only consider applications from women.

Oasis values diversity promotes equity, and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, abilities, perspectives, and lived experiences.

To apply, please send a complete Application Form to recruitment@oasisdaservice.org by 5pm on Friday 1oth November 2023.

Application Form 

Job Description