Senior Domestic Abuse Worker

Location: Skelmersdale

Hours:  37.5 hours per week (May include some evenings and weekends)

Salary: £29,777 per annum

Closing date: 28th July 2024

Benefits:

28 days holiday /company pension /flexible working

About the Organisation:

Founded in 1987 by a courageous survivor of domestic abuse, our charity originally began as the West Lancashire Women’s Refuge.  Our services have developed over the years and we now offer a comprehensive range of services to women, children and men affected by domestic abuse.  By providing a safe and supportive environment, we empower survivors to take control of their lives and rebuild their sense of self and well-being.  We provide vital support and services to survivors of domestic abuse, as well as raising awareness and promoting education in the community. By focusing on all aspects of domestic abuse we have a wide-ranging impact on the issue and help to create a safer and more supportive environment for all individuals in West Lancashire.

As an independent charity, we remain committed to empowering survivors and fostering a community free from domestic abuse.

Our mission is to build hope and confidence with people affected by domestic to live a future without fear.

What we do

We currently provide the following services:

• Temporary 24-hour refuge accommodation and support for women and their children
• Outreach and resettlement support for families being rehoused.
• Advice and support for males affected by domestic abuse.
• Counselling
• Group work programmes
• 24-hour helpline
• A drop in and information centre
• Healthy relationships schools project

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

As a Senior Domestic Abuse Worker, managing and supervising staff is a key responsibility.  You will be responsible for coordinating the Outreach and Group work projects using a trauma informed and strength-based approach. This role involves ensuring that the team is effectively supporting survivors, maintaining a high standard of service delivery, and fostering a supportive, inclusive and efficient work environment. Your key responsibilities will include:

Staff Supervision and Support: Overseeing the daily activities of the team, providing guidance, and ensuring that staff are well-equipped in their roles. This includes providing regular supervision sessions, offering emotional support, and facilitating professional development.

Case Management: Ensuring that all cases are managed effectively and that the support provided to clients meets the organisation’s standards. This involves reviewing case notes, offering advice on complex cases, and ensuring that all safeguarding procedures are followed.

Responding effectively to all aspects of referrals, assessments, support planning, and safety planning.

To respect and value the diversity of the community in which we work and recognise the needs and concerns of a diverse range of families ensuring the service is accessible to all.

Training and Development: Identifying training needs within the team and keeping the team updated on best practices and new developments in the field of domestic abuse support.

Policy Implementation: Ensuring that organisational policies and procedures are adhered to by all staff. This includes implementing any updates to policies and ensuring that all staff are informed.

Collaboration and Communication: Facilitating effective communication within the team and with external partners, such as other service providers and community organisations. Ensuring that the team works collaboratively to provide holistic support to clients.

Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly assessing the effectiveness of services provided, gathering feedback from clients and staff, and making improvements as necessary. This might involve compiling reports and data to demonstrate the impact of the organisation’s work.

Crisis Management: Providing support and direction in crisis situations, ensuring that the team responds appropriately and that clients receive the necessary help promptly.

Service Development

Assist the Chief Executive Officer in collecting statistical and financial information for monitoring, auditing and quality assurance purposes.

Work with partner agencies to develop and improve services for victims of domestic abuse

Represent The Liberty Centre to relevant external agencies and attend meetings.

Assist in the recruitment and management of staff and volunteers.

Other Responsibilities

• To engage in regular case management and personal supervision meetings with your line manager.
• To act in accordance with the policies and practices of The Liberty Centre.
• To comply with all aspects of health and safety policies.

In addition to these responsibilities, you will also manage a small caseload, providing direct support to families with complex needs.  Maintaining high quality records and reporting of support provided and outcomes. Your involvement with these cases ensures that you remain connected to the core work of the organisation and can provide informed leadership to your team.  You will be required to participate in our on-call rota.

In addition, other duties at the same responsibility level may be interchanged with or added to this list at any time.

Due to the sensitive and confidential nature of the work, the successful applicant will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring check.

The role will be based at our office in Skelmersdale and will require travel to our other local offices.

Person specification

Essential                      

• Good standard of general education                                          

Desirable

• A recognised social work, counselling or other relevant qualification                                          

Experience     

Essential:                     

• Experience of working with vulnerable adults and children
• Experience of managing and supervising staff and volunteers.       
• Experience of working and liaising effectively with other agencies
• Experience of risk management and implementing safeguarding policies and procedure      
• Experience of managing a caseload, completing assessments, support plans and review
• Experience of developing and delivering one to one and group work programmes           

Desirable

• Experience of working in the voluntary sector                                        
• Experience of engaging in the Early Help Assessment process and attending TAF meetings
• Experience of financial monitoring and developing and managing budgets                                            

Knowledge and skills                        

Essential

• Up to date knowledge of housing, criminal, civil and welfare rights legislation, relating to domestic abuse                                   
• An understanding of domestic abuse and the effects on victims
• An understanding of a trauma informed and strength-based approach
• Ability to supervise the work of others
• Ability to empathise and communicate well
• Good administrative skills, including ability to write reports
• Able to work under pressure and have strong crisis management skills        
• Working knowledge of Microsoft packages and ability to use computerised systems including case management software.          
• Able to maintain confidentiality  
• Ability to work in a non-discriminative way, and promote equality of opportunity
• Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team

Personal Qualities                             

Essential

• Reliable and a good time keeper
• Personable and approachable    
• Positive and supportive attitude towards others
• Experience of using own initiative and working as part of a team
• Willingness to learn and be flexible in approach to meet the needs of the organisation    

Other (including special requirements)                              

• Full clean driving license and use of a car for work purposes          
• Able to work some evenings and weekends.       

You may be expected to conduct yourself in other ways and undertake different duties which are reasonable in the opinion of organisation. Your job profile is not limited and may be modified as necessary to meet the needs of the business.

INDLS