Male Specialist Abuse Advocate

Job Description

Role: Male Specialist Abuse AdvocateBased: Sandwell covering the Black CountryRate:Unqualified £24310.04 Qualified £26430.04Start Date: ASAPDuration: PermanentHours: Full Time 37.5 hours 9am5pm will consider some flexibilityOur client, a specialist Domestic Violence charity based in the Black Country is looking to recruit a Male Specialist Abuse Advocate will provide practical and emotional support to men over the age of 16 who have experienced or who are experiencing rapeand sexual violence, both recent, historic and childhood, stalking and domestic violence and abuse, including intimate partner violence, familial abuse, forced marriage and honour based abuse.Synopsis of duties:

• Provide proactive short to medium term crisis interventions to increase the clients personal safety (and that of any children) and inform them of their rights and options in terms of housing, legal and welfare rights.
• Provide direct casework support, advice, information and empowerment to individuals experiencing interpersonal abuse through telephone contact and face to face meetings, assisting them to develop a support plan and recognise the dynamics of stalking, domesticand/or sexual abuse present in their own situation.
• Advocate for and work with clients to help them access services to keep them and their children safe.
• Identify and assess the risks and needs of male clients using an evidence-based risk identification checklist.
• Take referrals via drop-ins and telephone contact, gathering information regarding the client and their circumstances, assessing the information, agreeing needs and identifying risk.
• Recognise, respect and address the needs of clients who face particular barriers when seeking help to access the advocacy service, including those from hard to reach groups.
• Facilitation of group work, as and when needed, to raise awareness of the dynamics of domestic and sexual abuse and empower clients to live free from abuse.
• Support clients though criminal and civil court hearings, ensuring they are kept informed of the court process.
• Develop good working relationships and liaise with agencies about the risks and needs of clients when needed; this will include joint working and referrals to colleagues within BCWA or other external agencies where appropriate, participating in multiagencymeetings, advocating for clients and raising awareness of the impact of interpersonal violence and abuse on men.
• Develop operational partnerships with community organisations and groups, such as substance misuse services, housing support services and faith groups, to ensure that vulnerable men have access to support. Partnership working may include delivering awarenessbriefings, attending team meetings and drop-ins.
• Assist with the delivery of specialist training internally and to external partner organizations and agencies to raise awareness of interpersonal violence and abuse and the impact on male victims.
• Prepare reports to feed into MARAC and other operational safeguarding forums. Attendance to present cases at MARAC may be required on an ad hoc basis.
• Record case work accurately and ensure that case notes are relevant and regularly updated.
• Ensure that any issues in relation to safeguarding children or vulnerable adults are brought to the immediate attention of the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) within the Rape and Sexual Violence Service.

Essential Requirements:

• Educated to minimum Level 3 or equivalent, with a good level of experience in Health and social care.
• GCSEs English and MathematicsGrade C or above.
• IDVA/ISVA qualification and/or direct experience of working in domestic/sexual violence.
• Experience of working with adults, acknowledging safeguarding concerns and responding appropriately.
• Experience of working with and supporting vulnerable people.
• Experience of handling a caseload.
• Experience of working with clients with complex needs, such as mental health and substance misuse.
• Experiencing of working within a supportive setting for vulnerable people, providing direct support and a needs led service, undertaking risk and needs assessments and support planning, using a variety of intervention tools.
• Experience of working/liaising within a multi-agency setting with a range of stakeholders and representing clients/organization an external meetings.

Futures Consulting acts as both an employer and an agency.