Job Overview
The Step Down Domestic Abuse Specialist Support Worker plays a vital role in providing specialised support to individuals transitioning from crisis intervention to ongoing recovery. This position involves working closely with clients who have experienced domestic abuse, offering emotional support, guidance, and practical assistance. The role requires a compassionate and empathetic approach, ensuring clients feel safe, supported, and empowered to rebuild their lives.
Purpose of the Role
- To deliver a comprehensive, empowering “step down” support service for survivors of domestic abuse whose risk has reduced to medium or low, following their transition from a high -risk IDVA Service.
- To act as a single point of contact for medium or low risk victims of domestic abuse, offering consistent, accessible trauma informed support, tailored to individual needs.
- To work collaboratively with the IDVA Services across Western Bay to ensure a smooth transition and effective case handover for survivors moving from high risk to medium or low risk support.
- To assess, review and monitor risks to adult survivors and their children using recognised risk assessment tools, and implement appropriate safety planning processes and procedures.
- To ensure timely interventions are in place to prevent bottlenecks in support, avoiding the risk of survivors becoming dependent on services rather than progressing towards independence.
Key Accountabilities:
- Create a positive environment where survivors can develop skills and build confidence.
- Develop safety and support plans in partnership with individuals.
- Develop an integrated service between Western Bay IDVA Services and Calan’s core services.
- Develop a comprehensive recovery package for survivors of domestic abuse.
- To signpost service users in accessing services such as social services, welfare benefits, legal services, counselling and other resources such as training and educational opportunities as required.
- To keep detailed case notes of all work undertaken with users in accordance with Data Protection and other legislation, Calan DVS policies and procedures and best practice.
- Monitor risk assessments to avoid reescalation.
- Develop, monitor and review needs assessment plan.
- Promote the right of individuals to make their own choices, ensure their involvement in decision-making and awareness of their rights and responsibilities.
- Help survivors to identify and recognise the effects of domestic abuse on children and young persons and enable them to work towards recovery from this.
- Promote positive parenting and positive family relationships, providing practical resources, support planning and information sharing, to encourage a secure, nurturing and mutually respectful relationship.
- Monitor the length of support to maximise referral response.
- Prepare and assist survivors to become confident enough to move on from the service.
- Encourage participation in Calan’s additional services to aid long term and everlasting recovery.
- Attend joint team meetings with IDVA Teams
- Integrate with all Calan’s services
Skills
- You will be able to demonstrate the following key knowledge, skills, behaviours and experience:
- Minimum NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in a relevant field or willingness to work towards one, i.e. social care or health.
- Experience of working collaboratively with organisations in the community to raise awareness, network and build partnerships.
- Commitment to ongoing professional development.
- Minimum of 2 years working with vulnerable adults/families and/or children and young people.
- Proven experience of liaising with statutory and voluntary agencies.
- Proven ability to assess needs and an in depth understanding of the role of key worker.
- Experience of needs assessment, risk assessment, risk management and support planning.
- Knowledge and understanding of the issues associated with domestic abuse and its effects families.
- Ability to engage families in solution- focused problem solving.
- Proven experience of liaising with other appropriate organisations and agencies.
- Knowledge of the benefits system and how these can be accessed.
- Knowledge of housing legislation and its application.
- Competency in Information Technology including internet and software packages.
- Commitment to the principles, aims and objectives of Calan DVS.
- Proven commitment to personal and professional development.
- Willingness to work flexible hours
- Possession of a valid full driver’s licence and ability to use own car for work purposes.
- Good verbal and written communication skills, including report writing.
- Ability to work on own in an unsupervised setting or as part of a team.
- Enthusiastic, positive and energetic approach
This position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals affected by domestic abuse while developing professional expertise within a supportive environment.
Pay: From £24,500.00 per year
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
