Advert for Part Time Post in Women’s Aid.

Information and Support worker, Dolphin House Support and Referral Service.

12 hours per week

The successful applicant will report to the Women’s Aid services manager and work alongside our partners – The Inchicore Outreach Centre, and Dublin 12 Domestic Violence Service, primarily based off site in the Support and Referral Service office in Dolphin House (Dublin Family Law District Court, East Essex St, Dublin 2).

Job Description:

Women’s Aid invites applications for this post of part time information and support worker for 12 hours a week. The days are set 9.30-1.30 Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. These are not negotiable.

Very occasionally there may be a need for additional hours and the information and support worker will be remunerated for these.

The information and support worker will be responsible for meeting with women on the designated days, providing immediate information and support, and acting as a referral point to Domestic violence and other services. They will be responsible for the coordination of the service in partnership with Dublin 12 Domestic Violence Service and the Inchicore Outreach Centre, and work in close cooperation with court personnel. The worker will also be responsible for gathering and collating information for Women’s Aid statistics and ongoing evaluation of the service.

Applications must be made on the application form – note CV’s will not be considered – by 9am, 30th May 2016.

Interviews will take place on 11th June 2016.

Purpose of post:

  • To meet with women who have come to Dolphin House who are experiencing domestic violence.
  • To act as a referral point for women to domestic violence services.
  • To work with the courts personnel to continue to promote the service.
  • To work closely with the services manager for ongoing management and review of the service.
  • To contribute to the development of increased support and improved responses for women to experiencing domestic violence.
  • To promote the overall aims of Women’s Aid.

External candidates must have two years working/volunteering experience supporting women who have experienced domestic violence including experience of the court processes. Knowledge of family law is essential as is a non-judgemental approach.

Internal candidates must have completed the Women’s Aid helpline training and have at least one years’ experience working on the line.

Main Duties:

  • To run the service in line with policies and memo of understanding with the Courts service, Dublin 12 Domestic Violence service and the Inchicore Outreach centre.
  • To see women who drop in, at agreed location at agreed times to provide a support, information and referral service.
  • To safety plan with women.
  • To promote the service.
  • To liaise with and develop links with a range of personnel to promote the service e.g.Courts ,Gardai, Solicitors.
  • To work in cooperation with D12 and Inchicore Outreach staff.
  • To participate in quarterly meetings with Women’s Aid, D12, Inchicore Outreach and chief court clerks.
  • To participate in other relevant meetings for progress of the service.
  • To document details of women using the service (non-identifying) and to provide data to services manager and administrator.
  • To writereports for Women’s Aid managers meetings and Board of Management –these should include work carried out, progress on the project and analysis.
  • To write other reports and maintain records and prepare statistics as required.
  • To provide information and observations on issues Women’s Aid is working on more broadly.
  • To attend team and organisation meetings and supervision with the services manager.
  • To perform other duties as appropriate to the post as may be assigned from time to time.

Skills required:

Essential

  • Internal candidates must have completed Women’s Aid Helpline training and have at least one year’s experience working on the line.
  • External candidates must have a minimum of two years working in the sector and having taken a lead role in service delivery.
  • Knowledge of family law, and legal options for women and court procedures.
  • A feminist analysis of domestic violence.
  • Knowledge of difficulties experienced by women in abusive relationships.
  • Experience of working co-operatively with other statutory and NGO services, and strong relationship building skills.
  • Ability to work in a non-judgemental and calm manner with women.

Highly Desirable

  • Experience of court accompaniment.
  • Experience collating and analysing information

Competencies:

Knowledge

  • Maintains reviews and implements relevant systems appropriate for the smooth administration of the project
  • Understands the difficulties experienced by all women in abusive relationships
  • Keeps accurate records of visits and provides statistics as required
  • Keeps up to date with legal, social and all relevant information
  • Works in a non-judgemental and calm manner with women
  • Maintains a level of self-awareness, particularly in relation to personal boundaries

Planning and organisation

  • Strategizes with members of the team for the development of the project, the outreach services and the organisation
  • Plans for the effective and efficient use of time
  • Works to deadlines as required
  • Establishes priorities and allocates time and effort accordingly
  • Demonstrates good time keeping practises

Communication

  • Written and verbal ideas and objectives clearly expressed
  • Actively listens to ensure clear understanding
  • Asks for input to ensure clear understanding
  • Acknowledges and addresses issues in an honest and non-judgemental way
  • Comfortable with IT systems of communication
  • Liaises with manager and team members as necessary
  • Responds to external queries and forwards relevant information

Teamwork

  • Attends team and organisational meetings as required
  • Works actively with team members to accomplish results
  • Listens and responds respectfully to members of the team

Support Supervision and Training

  • Attends support and supervision sessions
  • Maintains the confidentiality of the session as required
  • Responds constructively to suggestions
  • Implements actions agreed at the session

Flexibility/willingness to adapt to change

  • Views change as an opportunity, not a problem
  • Actively seeks out new approaches to presenting issues

Decision making and Initiative

  • Within defined limits uses own discretion to evaluate whether consultation with colleagues and manager is necessary
  • Takes appropriate action when confronted with new, difficult or complex situations
  • Seeks out new and/or additional duties
  • Demonstrates ability to generate new ideas and acts on them accordingly

Problem Solving

  • Resolves problems with reference to relevant staff members
  • Transfers knowledge from previous experiences to new situations
  • Develops and shares innovative solutions to problems

Professionalism

  • Works in accordance with the ethos and principles of the organisation
  • Maintains confidentiality about the organisation, colleagues and clients
  • Maintains appropriate boundaries with colleagues and clients
  • Works to promote the strategic goals of Women’s Aid