Male Specialist Abuse Advocate

Role:               Male Specialist Abuse Advocate

Based:            Sandwell and Birmingham

Rate:                £24,310 - £27751

Start Date:      ASAP

Duration:        Permanent

Hours:             37.5 hours Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm  - will consider some flexibility

Our client, a specialist charity is looking to recruit a Male Specialist Abuse Advocate to join their team. You will provide Domestic Abuse (DA) support services within the Birmingham Family Court in relation to private law proceedings. The aim is to provide better support to male victims, children and families involved in private law proceedings, with enhanced support to victims/survivors of DA.

Synopsis of duties:

• To recognise men and children’s individual needs, providing a support service to meet those needs, advocating on their behalf where appropriate
• To support the empowerment of the client and facilitate their understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence
• 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.
• To work alongside partner agencies involved in the family court process, ensuring the woman’s voice is heard and represented
• To carry out and regularly review risk assessments using evidence based tools and to complete safety planning with clients keeping them informed about developments in legal proceedings as they arise
• 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.
• To support clients to access services to help keep them and their children safe and to meet needs
• 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 multiagency meetings, 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 awareness briefings, attending team meetings and drop-ins. 
• To devise and implement appropriate and safe methods of communication with men and children, in agreement with your line manager
• 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 line of policy and procedures.
• To work with line manager to develop operational protocols to define partnership arrangements and the referral process
• To identify and build up links with CAFCASS and other referral partners

Essential Requirements

• Educated to minimum Level 3 or equivalent, with a good level of experience in Health and social care.
• GCSEs English and Mathematics – Grade C or above
• Commitment to providing services within an anti-discriminatory/equal opportunities framework to meet individual needs
• 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.
• Knowledge of family court proceedings including issues arising for Victims and children subjected to domestic abuse

Supporting Futures Consulting acts as both an employer and an agency.