2016

MIA Worker

(Multi-agency independent ADVOCACY)

information pack

Full TIME: 35hrs

salary: £23,933 per annum

Contents

  1. Letter
  2. Guidance on Completing the Application Form
  3. Child Protection Statement
  4. Principles of Practice in supporting and protecting Vulnerable Adults
  5. Job Description
  6. Person Specification
  7. Application form
  8. Disclosure of Criminal Convictions
  9. Equal Opportunities Form

September 2016

Dear Applicant

Thank you for your interest in applying for a post at Dundee Women’s Aid. Please find enclosed the following documents:-

  • Job Description and Person Specification
  • Application form and guidance notes (electronic version available by e-mail on request.
  • Equal opportunities form
  • Disclosure of Criminal Convictions
  • DWA Commitment to Service Users

Please do not send a curriculum vitae as this will not be considered.

Should you wish receipt of your application to be acknowledged, please enclose a stamped addressed envelope with your returned application form (or ask for an email acknowledgement). Please note, all applications and relevant recruitment documents will be held confidentially and destroyed after 6 months, apart from documents relating to the successful applicant.

The closing date for applications is noon on Tuesday 11th October 2016.

If you are not contacted by31st October 2016we regret that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

We look forward to receiving your completed application form.

Yours faithfully

Mary Miller

Manager

2. Guidance on Completing your Application Form

As part of Dundee Women’s Aid’s commitment to equal opportunities, candidates for each post are treated equally. Application forms are the only basis on which the first selection is made to decide whom to call for interview. Therefore only information, which appears on the form (and continuation pages), can be considered. It is very important that your completed form contains both the information we want about your skills and experience and the information you want to give us. These advice notes are intended to help you to complete your form effectively.

1Read all the information provided especially the job description and person specification. These outline the duties you would be expected to carry out in this post and lists the skills, knowledge and abilities that the short listing/interview panel will be looking for.

2The application form will be photocopied so the form should be completed in black ink.

3Question 3 asks you to note down your general experience and is the most important part of your application. This is your chance to explain why you are suitable for the job. It is not enough to say you have the experience – you must demonstrate experience and skills with specific examples. Relevant experience may be from your current or previous jobs or from out with formal employment.

4Should you need to use an additional sheet of paper, please indicate the name of the post on the top of the sheet. Do not send your CV in addition to or in place of a completed application form as it will not be considered by the short-listing panel.

5A Protection of Vulnerable Groups is required as part of the job. Return the completed criminal records form and it will only be considered by the interviewing panel if you are short-listed.

6Completing the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form is voluntary but the information requested here is useful as it allows us to monitor the effectiveness of our policy of equal opportunities in employment.

7All applicants must complete all parts of the application form. Remember: sign, date and returnSection 7. Application Formby post to:Recruitment Administrator, Dundee Women’s Aid, Enterprise House, 45 North Lindsay Street, Dundee, DD1 1PW or by email to:

9Application forms must arrive before noon on the closing date unless otherwise stated. Please allow time for any possible delays when sending emails. Forms arriving late will not be considered.

10References are normally taken up for the short listed applicants before interview. If you do not wish one or both references to be taken up at that point please indicate on the relevant page. It is our policy not to make a job offer without taking up references.

3. Child Protection Statement

Dundee Women’s Aid (DWA) is committed to promoting the rights of children and young people. We are committed to upholding their right to be protected from abuse and harm and upholding their right to be involved in decisions that affect their lives. We believe that the welfare of children and young people should always be the most important consideration in decisions that affect them.

Policy Aims

Our Child Protection Policy has been produced by DWA to help encourage and maintain an environment where all children are valued and their right to safety is upheld and to ensure that the risk of children being harmed or abused is reduced.

Safe Recruitment

DWA will take all reasonable steps to ensure that unsuitable people are prevented from working with children through the use of safe recruitment processes. DWA Recruitment and Selection Policy provides more information on the steps that DWA will take to achieve this.

Child Protection

Child protection is about protecting children from intentional or unintentional abuse and harm. Some forms of abuse include neglect, physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

All DWA workers have the following responsibilities:

  • Respecting and promoting the rights, wishes and feelings of children
  • Recognising and being alert to the signs that children may need protection
  • Taking appropriate actions to protect children who are at risk
  • Work with families, within DWA and across agencies to support and protect children who are at risk
  • Maintaining up-to-date records that detail concerns and risk factors in a child’s file
  • Actively managing the sharing of information with other agencies when a child is in need of protection
  • Keeping informed of current developments and understanding information about data protection, confidentiality, and other legal issues that impact on child protection
  • Attending appropriate training in relation to child protection.

Confidentiality in Child Protection

Where DWA workers have concerns in relation to child protection, they will act in accordance with DWA child protection procedures. This may mean that confidentiality between the service user and worker cannot be maintained

We will make every effort to discuss child protection concerns with the service user/s involved, any actions that we plan to take, and will seek the service user’s consent about disclosing information before instigating any child protection procedures. However, there may be instances where this is not feasible or where failure to act immediately could further endanger a child.

4. Principles of Practice in Supporting and Protecting Vulnerable Adults

Dundee Women’s Aid aims to provide the best possible service to the women, children and young people we work with. We believe that service users have the right to live a life free from abuse or harm and are committed to providing services that empower service users. Our Protecting Vulnerable Adults Policy defines Dundee Women’s Aid’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable adults who use Dundee Women’s Aid’s service.

Dundee Women’s Aid is committed to:

  • Actively work within the principles defined in national care standards: dignity, privacy, choice, safety, realising potential, equality and diversity;
  • Actively work together within an inter-agency framework;
  • Actively promote the empowerment and well-being of vulnerable adults through the services we provide;
  • Act in a way which supports the rights of the individual to lead an independent life based on self-determination;
  • Recognise people who are unable to take their own decision and/or to protect themselves and their assets;
  • Recognise that the right to self-determination can involve risk and ensure that such risk is recognised and understood by all concerned, and minimised whenever possible;
  • Ensure the safety of vulnerable adults by integrating strategies, policies and services relevant to abuse within the legislative framework (ie the NHS and Community Care Act 1990, the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984, the Public Disclosure Act 1990, the Regulation of Care Act 2000, the National Assistance Act 1948, the Human Rights Act 1998, the Adults with Incapacity Act 2000, the Mental Health Care and Treatment (Scotland) Act 2003, the Data Protection Act 1998, and the introduction of the Care Standards by the Scottish Commission for the Regulation 52 of Care 2002).
  • Ensure that, wherever possible, vulnerable adults are protected from criminal acts;
  • Ensure that when the right to an independent lifestyle and choice is at risk the individual concerned receives appropriate help, including advice, protection and support from relevant agencies (e.g. independent advocacy);
  • Ensure that the law and statutory requirements are known and used appropriately so that vulnerable adults receive the protection of the law and access to the judicial process.

5. Job Description

MIA Worker

Job Title: MIA Worker

Accountable to: Team Leader, WSS

Grade: AP 4.1

Location: Dundee

Hours:35 p/wk

Background

Dundee Women’s Aid is a charity which supports women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse in Dundee.

Mission statement

Our mission is to promote a policy of zero tolerance of violence against women, and to provide refuge, support and specialist services for women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse in Dundee.

MARAC Project (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferencing)

Individuals who experience domestic abuse are recognised as being at high risk of repeat victimisation. MARAC is a multi-agency response to promote information sharing, enhance the safety of victims and their children and reduce repeat victimisation. The purpose of MARAC is to:

  • Share information across agencies
  • Identify the level of risk of the perpetrator
  • Take informed actions to increase safety and reduce repeat victimisation
  • Implement multi-agency safety plans to reduce the risk

The MARAC team will include dedicated police, administration and advocacy staff who will work alongside a range of partner agencies across Dundee.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job purpose

The purpose of this post is to provide an independent advocacy service to women who have experienced domestic abuse. Contact is made at the earliest opportunity to women who are assessed at high or medium risk where safety planning is carried out to reduce the level of risk.Those who are still assessed to be at very high risk of repeat victimisation will be referred to the MARAC. The post holder will work directly with women offering crisis intervention, informationand advocacy services.

Work Location

Part of theMIA Service is being managed by Dundee Women’s Aid; however this post will be based within the Police Headquarters and day to day management will be from our partner agency Barnardo’s MIA Service manager. The post holder will also be expected to travel to and work at various locations throughout Dundee. Occasional travel to training and meetings in other areas in Scotland will also be required.

Reporting to

The post holder will be accountable to the Team Leader WSS of Dundee Women’s Aid and day to day management from our partner agency Barnardo’s MIA Service manager.

Key activities

  1. Provide an advocacy service to high and medium risk victims/survivors of domestic abuse including those referred to the MARAC process. This will involve close liaison with the MARAC administrator and the domestic abuse staff at the Public Protection Unit as well as working closely with other voluntary and statutory services.
  2. Contact victims/survivors referred to MIA, by telephone or in person (mostly by telephone);offer crisis intervention, safety planning, information and advocacy.Explain the MARAC process and sensitively gather information about the victim/survivor’s views should their case proceed to MARAC.
  3. Support the victim/survivor to identify and take action to address any concerns s/he may have for them or their children’s safety and wellbeing. Carry out risk assessments, identify clients at high risk of further assaults/abuse and involve other services and professionals as appropriate (in line with Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Guidance)
  4. Manage a complex caseload of clients providing information and advocacy in relation to recent experiences of domestic abuse.
  5. Attend MARAC meetings, providing input as required ensuring the victim/survivor’s views are heard
  6. Work with other agencies to ensure safety and support needs of victims and their children are being met. Ensure continuity of care; facilitate referrals for on-going support; and monitor and report on identified gaps between and within services
  7. Liaise with, develop and sustain good working relationships with agencies across Dundee which have a remit to provide services to those experiencing domestic abuse. Take part in appropriate multi-agency working groups and promote the work of the MIA service.
  8. Develop domestic abuse information resources as required
  9. Maintain accurate manual and computer based client records (in accordance with data protection)
  10. Provide statistical information, prepare and present verbal /written reports and contribute to effective monitoring and evaluation of MIA and the MARAC processas required
  11. Comply with relevant health & safety legislation, good practice and the ethos of Dundee Women’s Aid. Take part in staff and service meetings as required and show commitment to on-going personal and professional development. Self-service – the ability to carry out your own filing, photocopying and IT services.
  12. Undertake any other duties as reasonably requested within the overall business objectives of the organisation.

Note: This job profile is intended as an outline of the responsibilities and qualities required for the post, and does not form part of terms and conditions of employment.

6. Person Specification

Qualifications, training and relevant experience / Essential / Desirable
Proven track record in providing advocacy and support services to survivors of abuse / E
Relevant/appropriate qualification (e.g. Counselling, Women’s Studies, Support Skills, relevant SVQ or equivalent ,etc) / D
Experience in working with a range of multi-agency partners / E
Competencies / Essential / Desirable
Understanding of the impact and prevalence of domestic abuse on women, children and young people / E
Understanding of current legislation and best practice in relation to domestic abuse / E
Skills in advocacy, negotiation and liaison / E
Experience of crisis intervention and safety planning with vulnerable client groups. / E
Understanding of court systems and processes of protection for children and vulnerable adults / D
Excellent written and verbal communication skills / E
Competent organisational & IT skills; ability to maintain manual and electronic records. / E
Ability to prioritise, meet deadlines and work well both as an individual and within a team / E
Personal qualities / Essential / Desirable
Articulate and effective communicator / E
Self-motivated, enthusiastic and co-operative / E
Sensitive and empathic / E
Work with some level of autonomy and also as a team / E
Resilient nature / E
Special requirements / Essential / Desirable
Commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice / E
Ability to work office hours, some out of hours and occasional evenings and weekends. A flexible approach to working required. / E
Full driving licence and access to own transport or otherwise be able to travel throughout Dundee / E
Ability to have business user motor insurance if required / E

Organisational culture

Dundee Women’s Aid is committed to bringing an end to violence against women, and providing a high standard of service to its clients and other stakeholders. The post holder must subscribe to the feminist analysis of domestic abuse and share a commitment to achieving the shared objectives of Dundee Women’s Aid and MARAC.

A police and PVG Check will be carried out for this position.

Dundee Women’s Aid strives to be an equal opportunities employer and positively welcomes applications from women from all sections of the community.
Due to the nature of our work Dundee Women’s Aid Women only need apply.
Excepted posts under Schedule 9 (Part 1) of the Equality Act 2010

7. Application Form

Please refer to guidance notes before completing this application Form

Post Applied For
Applicant Number

PERSONAL INFORMATION

(Confidential, the top 3 sheets will be removed and not used for short listing purposes)

1. Personal Details

First Names / Surname
Address
Post Code / Telephone Numbers
Work
Home
Mobile
Email

2. General

Please give two referees. One must your current or most recent employer, the other could be a personal reference. Please indicate if they can be contacted prior to interview. References from relatives will not be accepted.

Contact prior to interview: Y / N
Name:
Job title:
Email:
Address:
Post Code:
Tel. No.:
Relationship: / Contact prior to interview : Y / N
Name:
Job title:
Email:
Address:
Post Code:
Tel. No.:
Relationship:
  1. Current Post Title:
  1. Period of notice required by current employer?
  1. Are there any dates when you will be unavailable for interview?
  1. Are there any adjustments that DWA will need to make, should you be invited to interview? Please state what these are.
  1. Are there any restrictions to your residence in the UK, which might affect your right to take up employment? Yes/No

If Yes, please provide details

  1. If you are successful in your application will you require a work permit prior to taking up employment? Yes/No

Data Protection Statement