JOB REQUIREMENTS:

The purpose of your role will be to work within a multi-agency environment providing a range of support to reduce the posed risk of further harm to LGBT service users and safe engagement when appropriate in criminal justice proceedings, Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs), The Sanctuary Scheme and Clare’s Law Disclosure processes.
You will work with statutory and voluntary agencies to identify and establish clear referral pathways and support agencies to generate new referrals and provide information and guidance to increase the identification of LGBT abuse in existing services.
You will support colleagues and partner agencies, in order to provide the best possible service for LGBT service users ensuring the service is accessible to all.
You will ensure that our service users receive an excellent level of support that uses a strengths-based and trauma informed approach and is centred around their aims and aspirations.
You will work alongside our service users to ensure that they feel safe, happy with the service they are receiving and have the widest opportunities available to them to enhance their lives and improve their safety and wellbeing.
You will participate in the rota system providing cover over 7 days a week.
You will represent the service by attending events, providing presentations and talks about NIDAS to multi-agency partners, to promote the service across the county as required.
This role is subject to DBS and enhanced Police security clearance.

ESSENTIAL:

• Lived experience of belonging to the LGBT community.
• Experience of working with vulnerable LGBT service users.
• Experience of working in a voluntary or statutory agency for a minimum of two years with victims of domestic abuse.
• Experience of public speaking and advocating for victims.
• Experience of working within a multi-agency environment.
• Experience of managing a complex caseload.
• Experience of using risk assessment tools for victims of domestic abuse.

Desirable:

• A good understanding of domestic abuse including the impact of domestic abuse on LGBT service users and their children.
• A good understanding of common experiences and needs of LGBT communities including the specific barriers to disclosure of domestic abuse for LGBT service users.
• Understand and be committed to equal opportunities and diversity issues in policy and practice.
• Knowledge of legislation around safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, engaging with service users, colleagues, and other professionals.
• Excellent IT skills including use of Microsoft Office, Teams, case management systems, and databases.
• Inquisitive and problem solving. A commitment to seeking new ways of working to achieve positive outcomes.
• A clear understanding of data protection, confidentiality, and data sharing protocols.
• An understanding of a strengths-based and trauma informed approach to support.

THE ROLE:

The LGBT Specialist IDVA will be part of a confidential, safe, and supportive team, within the Norfolk Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (NIDAS). They will provide effective, safe, supportive, and confidential support for LGBT service users aged 16 plus and their families including children aged 5-18, who are assessed as high or medium risk, and living with or fleeing domestic abuse.

KEY STRATEGIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Respect and value the diversity of the community in which the services work in and recognise the needs and concerns of a diverse range of LGBT service users ensuring that the service is accessible to all.
• To remain up to date with domestic abuse and LGBT practice and legislation to ensure an informed and effective service.
• To work in a multi-agency environment, safeguarding adults and children.
• Promote Equality, Diversity, Fairness, and Inclusion at all times.
• Promote a ‘Team NIDAS’ culture across the service delivery.
• Ensure that our service users voices are central to all aspects of service delivery and is evidenced through safety and support planning, risk assessment and reviews.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues throughout the NIDAS Partnership to deliver our visions, values and objectives.
• Be innovative in identifying methods to successfully engage with people across a wide range of backgrounds and with diverse needs.
• Look for opportunities to improve and develop services that we offer.
• To promote collaboration and multi-agency working for service users and maintain up to date knowledge of local services to enable recovery.
• Support our service users to link into statutory, health and social care services to maximise their wellbeing and recovery.
• To provide awareness raising on the issues that service users from the LGBT community may experience.
• To promote NIDAS and create referral pathways within local LGBT communities.

KEY FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• To identify and assess the risks and needs of LGBT service users using an evidence-based risk identification checklist
• To Build effective relationships with each service user and engage at their pace and in their preferred way; taking a service user led, flexible approach to providing practical and emotional support and advocacy.
• Support the empowerment of service users and assist them in recognising the dynamics of LGBT domestic abuse present in their situation and help service users to regain control of their lives.
• To manage a caseload and regularly review support and safety needs in line with the accredited standards.
• Facilitate a holistic assessment with each service user, building a relationship and creating a personalised support plan that incorporates risk and safety, and builds on their strengths and needs.
• Participate in facilitation of group programmes within the service, supporting colleagues and service users to create and contribute to an environment that makes participation safe, supportive, and fulfilling. Similarly, support group programmes and activities including drop-ins at other services to support service users in the community.
• Comply with all health and safety policy and procedures and carry out activities in a safe manner
• To maintain accurate and thorough case records.
• Comply within Data Protection and GDRP legislation and best practice.
• To offer a flexible service over 7 days a week to ensure referrals reach the NIDAS IDVA service as part of a duty rota system.
• To offer telephone, virtual, group or face to face advice and support to service users who have been assessed as high or medium risk.
• To liaise with other teams within the NIDAS partnership to ensure seamless handover of service between the triage service and other teams within NIDAS.
• To track cases through the Police, CPS, court and other systems to ensure service users have accurate and up to date information in compliance with the GDPR, confidentiality and data protection.
• To provide or coordinate support for criminal justice trials as required.
• To ensure that all safeguarding issues and concerns are reported and dealt with in accordance with organisational policy and procedure, legislation, and best practice.
• To promote and work within the policies and guidelines of NIDAS and employing organisations.
• To attend regular supervisions and case management sessions.
• To complete comprehensive induction and training agenda.
• To carry out any such duties that may be reasonably required.