RISE
APPLICATION PACK
Thank you for applying for a position with RISE.
Below you will find:-
· Staff Commitments
· Job Description
· Person Specification
The application form and Equalities form are included in a separate document which is the portion which will need to be returned to us.
Please return your application via email to by the date shown on the advertisement. Please quote the reference number and the job title on the subject of the email.
For those who would prefer to handwrite their application, the application form can be printed from the website and returned via post to:
RISE
PO Box 889
Brighton
BN2 1GH
Please quote the reference number and the job title on the envelope and allow delivery time before the closing date.
If you do not receive a response within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion. We regret that we do not write to unsuccessful applicants.
Further information about RISE can be obtained on our
website www.riseuk.org.uk including a copy of our latest report and accounts.
Please be aware that all applicants must be able to legally work within the UK for a minimum period of 12 months or for the maximum term of the contract if less than 12 months and relevant documentation must be provided at interview in the form of a current visa or similar.
EQUALITY & DIVERSITY IN RECRUITMENT
RISE is committed to promoting fairness and eliminating discrimination within its practices. As part of the recruitment process the name, contact details, the details of referees and the page with the Equalities form will be all removed from your application and your application will be given an application number before forwarding on to the shortlisting stage. At least two people will individually score the application. The candidates who have the highest combined score above a set level will be selected for interview.
There may be a written or practical test at interview. In accordance with the Equalities Act 2010, should you require any reasonable adjustments to be made to support you in the interview process, please contact the HR Department by emailing prior to interview.
DATA PROTECTION ACT 1998
Please note that your application form will be stored securely, and the information you have provided will not be disclosed to any outside agency unless we are obliged to do so. Forms from successful applicants will be used as a basis for the personnel record. Forms from unsuccessful applicants will be destroyed after six months, with the exception of forms from applicants who have consented for their details to be held on file for future vacancies; these forms will be held for a further six months.
Thank you for your interest in RISE
STAFF COMMITMENTS
All staff will be committed to:
1. Ensure that appropriate information, advice and support is made available to women, children and families using the service, including where necessary therapeutic help and counselling.
2. Protect the interests of the children using the service, having full regard to their educational, childcare, health, leisure and child protection needs.
3. Identify and respond to the needs of women, children and families using the service, promoting working practises which enable women to gain strength and confidence and to make informed choices about their lives.
4. Share a commitment to and responsibility for work which extends and develops RISE services according to our stated aims.
5. Ensure women are informed of services provided by other agencies, where appropriate referred to them, and supported in their dealings with them.
6. Uphold our equal opportunities policy, and agreed anti-discriminatory practise guidelines.
7. Ensure that all staff and service users are aware of RISE's policies, rules, and complaints procedures, and that these are upheld and implemented.
8. Ensure that the safety of the Refuge is maintained and that the confidentiality of clients is protected.
9. A willingness to work with volunteers and to treat them with respect.
10. Maintain good relations with the local community, and with relevant women's and community groups, striving to learn from them and, in line with the Objects of RISE, meet their needs as they see them.
11. Uphold health and safety standards, providing a clean environment for users of the service and staff, and also taking adequate precautions to maintain users' and staff's personal safety.
12. Ensure that appropriate boundaries are maintained between service users and staff at all times, that service users' privacy is respected, and that staff's home addresses and telephone numbers are not revealed.
13. Have a firm commitment to working within the organisation’s feminist theoretical perspective.
Please note deadline is 5pm on Monday 23 September 2013
JOB DESCRIPTION
EMPLOYER: / RISEADDRESS: / PO Box 889, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 1GH
JOB TITLE: / Senior Practitioner - Independent Domestic Violence Advisory Service (IDVA)
RESPONSIBLE TO: / Manager - IDVA
RESPONSIBLE FOR: / All staff working within the Independent Domestic Violence Advisory Service including sessional workers, volunteers and students on placement
SALARY GRADE: / SCP 29-33
WORKING HOURS: / 37 hours
SPECIAL CONDITIONS: / Some out of hours, weekend and some on call duties may be required.
BASED AT: / RISE premises and community partnership locations throughout the city
DATE REVISED: / December 2011
JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Practitioner will support the Manager in the day-to-day operational management of the IDVA Service. They will carry a caseload of complex cases. They will supervise IDVA staff, volunteers and students as well as oversee the case management of all new referrals, allocations and processes. They will be responsible for ensuring best practice in all aspects of service delivery. They will have particular regard to the development of the SDVC and MARAC protocols and ensuring that these are successfully implemented.
They will assist in ensuring that services and new developments are delivered to a high standard, that service targets are met, and that the service, budgetary and monitoring requirements of funders and partner agencies are met. They will work proactively within the coordinated partnership response to domestic violence to ensure a safe and effective service for high risk cases.
They will work with the Manager to ensure an inclusive service for isolated and disadvantaged communities, which may have difficulty in accessing the service. They will work to ensure the protection of children’s rights and will work with the Manager to uphold RISE’s Child Protection policies and procedures. They will deputise for the Manager as required.
1. / MAIN DUTIES1.1 / The Senior Practitioner will assist the Manager in the effective and safe running of the IDVA service;
1.2 / Assist in ensuring that all client services provided are of a high standard including information, advice, advocacy and support in accordance with CAADA best practice;
1.3 / Oversee operational systems and procedures that identify and respond to the safety needs of clients and staff, providing a premium service to those at high risk;
1.4 / Provide case management support and supervision to staff to ensure that clients receive a service that is appropriate to needs, risk and safety;
1.5 / Ensure the service is adequately staffed and provide cover where necessary;
1.6 / Oversee operational systems and procedures that identify and respond to the safety needs of clients and staff, providing a premium service to those at high risk;
1.7 / Assist in ensuring that services meet statutory requirement and agreed performance, budget and monitoring requirements including those of partner agencies and funders;
1.8 / Assist in ensuring that all appropriate statistical records and administration systems are maintained, providing information and reports as required;
1.9 / Overseeing SDVC processes and multi-agency partnerships to ensure that they are consistent with internal and external protocols and promote the value of the service;
1.10 / Carry out inter-agency work, liaising and meeting with partner and other agencies and forums as required, and assist in ensuring good communication with and close co-operation between the IDVA service and other RISE services;
1.11 / Assist in co-ordinating consultation with service users and providing reports of such consultation as required;
1.12 / Assist the Manager with the planning and implementation of new developments;
1.13 / Deputise for the Manager in their absence as required.
1.14 / Participate in and contribute to the Senior Practitioners’ Working Group ensuring that best practice is consistent and clear across all RISE services
2. / OPERATIONAL DUTIES
2.1 / Undertake direct work with individual women and families, in particular complex cases;
2.2 / Oversee the MARAC function within the IDVA service;
2.3 / Provide supervision to IDVA staff, seeking assistance where required, liaising regularly with the Manager, consulting with or informing other Managers or CEO as required, sharing information with other agencies in accordance with RISE policies;
2.4 / Provide guidance and advice to staff on practice matters and case management, and ensure that all staff are aware of their responsibilities in relation to agreed codes of practice and safe methods of work;
2.5 / Oversee preparation of reports for case conferences and court, and attend as necessary;
2.6 / Work to ensure that RISE offers an equally effective service to all its service users, taking into particular consideration the needs of vulnerable adults and families that have difficulty in accessing the services, and having particular regard to equalities issues and the needs of black and minority ethnic communities;
2.7 / Take a lead role in the induction of staff, volunteers and students;
2.8 / Assist and deliver training programmes and presentations to partner agencies.
3. / CHILDREN , YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES
3.1 / Work to ensure that the interests of children and young people are protected having full regard to their developmental, education, health, social welfare and child protection needs;
3.2 / Provide close supervision of cases in which there are child protection concerns, liaising regularly with the Manager or other relevant managers, consulting with and informing them or the CEO as required;
3.3 / In line with protocols have full regard to children and young people’s needs as witness and victims of crime, supporting them in any appropriate action they may take to safeguard themselves.
4. / FINANCE & PERSONNEL
4.1 / Oversee the volunteer support worker where necessary and provide support ;
4.2 / Line manage IDVA staff, volunteers and students, overseeing all aspects of their work and ensuring that they are effectively deployed;
4.3 / Assess the training and development needs of line managed staff, volunteers and students, and work to ensure that they are met;
4.4 / Having due regard to RISE and client needs as well as staff care, help ensure minimum levels of staff and telephone cover including in the event of sickness and annual leave;
4.5 / Assist in ensuring that the staff team meets regularly, deputising for the Manager as required;
4.6 / Attend meetings, training and supervision as required.
4.7 / Take responsibility for and manage internal team finance system (petty cash)
5. / GENERAL DUTIES
5.1 / At all times protect the safety and security of RISE, service users, staff, volunteers and buildings, and the confidentiality of records and other information;
5.2 / Uphold the rights of women, children and young people who have experienced domestic violence, advocating vigorously for them while offering protective strategies, and appropriate safe services;
5.3 / Ensure the effective implementation of and adhere to the RISE’s policies and procedures and to the terms of relevant legislation, and keep abreast of any changes or proposed changes in relevant legislation, policy and practice;
5.4 / Undertake such other duties, appropriate to the grade and character of the work, as may be reasonably required.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This is a developing post and the Senior Practitioner - IDVA will be required to have an open and flexible approach to the change process. The job description sets out the duties of the post at the time it was drawn up and will be reviewed as necessary. Duties may vary without changing the general character of the job or the level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and cannot in themselves justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post.
PERSON SPECIFICATION: SENIOR PRACTITIONER
INDEPENDENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVISORY SERVICES
E = Essential
D = Desirable
The Senior Practitioner will possess:
KNOWLEDGE AND QUALIFICATIONS:
1. / A relevant qualification (e.g.CAADA); , preferably in social work, CAADA or other area such as education, law, youth work; / D2. / A comprehensive knowledge of issues relating to domestic violence including the dynamics of domestic violence and its impact on women, children, families and communities and relevant legislation including housing, benefits, matrimonial, legal and civil options and safeguarding vulnerable adults; / E
3. / An excellent knowledge of child abuse and child protection issues; / E
4. / A sound knowledge, understanding and commitment to the value of multi-agency response to domestic violence; / E
EXPERIENCE:
5. / Significant experience of supporting vulnerable adults; / E6. / Significant experience of working with children and families; / E
7. / Experience of supporting and giving advice to vulnerable adults and providing advocacy for clients on an institutional and individual level; / E
8. / Experience of inter-agency working; / E
9. / Experience of supervising staff or volunteers; / E
SKILLS:
10. / The ability to oversee complex cases and to advise on practice issues and case management; / E11. / The ability to provide effective case management ; / E
12. / Excellent verbal and written communication skills / E
13. / Proven ability to implement challenging development plans and manage change; / E
14. / The ability to prepare information for monitoring reports; / E
16. / Good IT skills, including word processing, the internet and preferably databases and spreadsheets; / D
17. / The ability to help lead a service and motivate a team effectively under pressure within a stressful environment, and to deal with difficult or unpredictable situations effectively; / E
19. / An ability to communicate effectively with a range of different statutory and non-statutory agencies; individuals and groups; / E
GENERAL:
20. / Meet the following five Core National Occupational Standards for all RISE employees (and any others identified as relevant to the post):· Communicate effectively with people
· Communicate effectively in a business environment
· Promote equality and value diversity
· Contribute to the effectiveness of teams
· Support the health and safety of yourself and individuals.
21. / Clear boundaries and a willingness to accept line management and make effective use of supervision; / E
22. / A good understanding of the importance of confidentiality and anti-abusive practice, safe practice and health and safety procedures; / E
23. / A good understanding of cultural and equality and diversity issues; / E
24.. / A firm commitment to promote women’s and children’s rights and to work with RISE’s feminist theoretical framework and its core values; / E
25 / Willingness to carry out the policies and procedures or the organisation and to work to agreed guidelines and codes of conduct; / E
26. / A commitment to participating in fundraising and promotional activities as required by RISE and an understanding of working in the third sector; / E
27. / A driving licence and the use of a vehicle. / D
Please see Appendices 1 and 2
APPENDIX 1
National definition of IDVA work