Domestic Abuse Practitioner

A leading charity is looking for a Domestic Abuse Practitioner to join their team in Northampton.

This is a great opportunity to join a well respected charity and make a real difference in the lives of people suffering from domestic abuse.

You will need to drive and have access to your own car due to travel between sites and some unsociable hours. As a domestic abuse practitioner you will also need to be living a "violence free" in their own life

RESPONSIBLE FOR:� Assisting the Operations Manager and DA Practitioner Team Leader in the day to day running of the services for women and children seeking to recover and move on from the impact of domestic abuse.

WORKING ARRANGEMENTS: � The Domestic Abuse Practitioner will be required to work flexibly 37 hours per week worked over 5 days.� Some unsocial/out of hours/evening work will be required, including the provision of On Call Buddy support to the out of hours team on a rota basis.

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE POST: To support survivors of domestic abuse, who may have additional complex needs, to gain and maintain refuge accommodation or remain safely in their home.

To work alongside families overseeing their progress through a programme of activities and interventions, offering support and strategies to achieve against 5 outcomes: �Physical Survival, Safety and Security, Social Needs and Belonging, Self Worth and Esteem and Meaning and Purpose.�

Extensive knowledge and training or a qualification in domestic abuse, with an understanding of the impact of domestic abuse on victim-survivors and society

Excellent knowledge of Domestic Abuse and the relevant criminal and civil remedies in place to offer protection and reduce risk

Good knowledge of welfare benefits, housing options and legislation related to statutory duty.

Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues and ability to address them appropriately.

Ability to liaise and work closely with external professionals to inform and develop Service Users support

Knowledge, understanding and commitment to equal opportunities and diversity issues in policy and practice .

Knowledge of a specialism e.g. mental health, immigration, BME, housing, drugs/alcohol

Experience

Working with people with a wide range of support needs including domestic abuse.

Experience of delivering high quality services to people with a wide range of needs and risks.

Working with vulnerable adults (and children), including those with complex needs.

Working in a team

Keeping written records and undertaking service evaluations

Managing a case load

Delivering specialist domestic abuse group work

Experience of bringing together various elements to complete task/project

Skills

Ability to make professional, client-centred decisions using appropriate policies and procedures to guide those decisions

Excellent communication, negotiation and advisory skills, both written and verbal and ability to interact effectively with a wide range of individuals including service users and other professionals.

Excellent listening skills

Ability to manage own workload, with appropriate administrative, prioritisation and organisational skills.

The ability to work effectively, cooperatively and flexibly with others both on a 1:1 basis and as part of a team

Computer literacy skills with the ability to manage own administration, to use a computer, particularly word processing and case management packages and to maintain effective administration systems.

The ability to show initiative and be proactive when managing a case load and interacting with Service-Users and partner agencies

Ability to develop positive working relationships with a variety of individuals (e.g. colleagues, service-users, children and families, external agencies and other stakeholders)

Strong crisis management skills and the ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations

Ability to deliver domestic abuse specialist group work programmes or be willing to build on existing skills and undertake additional specialist training if required.

Ability to be self-motivated and the ability to motivate others.

Full driving licence and access to own transport.

Personal Characteristics

Demonstrate an understanding of Anti-Discriminatory Practice in service delivery and a commitment to implementing Anti-Discriminatory Practice in relation to job responsibilities.

Demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to working in accordance with confidentiality and equal opportunities policies.

Demonstrate a commitment to work within an organisation which works both with women and children who have experienced domestic violence as well as people who have perpetrated it.

Demonstrate a willingness and ability to work flexibly� and across Northamptonshire.(i.e. unsociable hours)