Senior Specialist Mental Health Idva

Role:               Senior Specialist Mental Health IDVA

Based:            Hertfordshire based in Broxbourne or Baldock area

Rate:               £28,561 - £30,761 depending on experience and qualifications

Start Date:      ASAP

Duration:        Permanent

Hours:             37.5 hours Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm

Our client, a specialist Domestic Violence charity based in Hertfordshire is looking for a Senior Specialist practitioner to lead the intensive support team which is a peripatetic team, to provide support, multiagency advocacy, case management support, guidance for support workers and clients in refuges who are multiply disadvantaged.

Synopsis of duties:

• Ensure a complete and thorough family or individual needs assessment is in place for all clients.
• Act as the Case-manager for the cohort of clients on the caseload and lead the support planning process working with the team supporting the client/ family which will include.

1. Local refuge case holder who is responsible for the delivery of standard refuge support such as practical, emotional and safety and legal support around the domestic abuse they have experienced.
2. Local Children and Young Peoples worker
3. Other members of the specialist team
4. Others able to contribute to the delivery of the support plan for the adult and any children. leveraging internal resources such as programs, legal advice, therapies and other activities  and resources that can be delivered by third parties such as for example substance misuse support.

• Ensure, the participation of all third-party agencies that should be involved in the case to safeguard a strong multidisciplinary working arrangement to support the family/individual. 
• Ensure that relationships are built with the adult and any children and work with the adult directly on a one-to-one basis by phone, in person or online
• Apply a trauma informed approach to establishing and maintaining effective relationships with each client through an understanding of the prevalence and impact of trauma and the complex paths to healing and recovery.
• Ensure that in advance of weekly review meetings all practitioners and agencies that are working with the client have been invited to the meeting or to update the meeting.
• Task and coordinate the work of the team for the following week and communicate to all involved including the senior practitioner or manager of the local case holder regarding the results of the review and actions for the next week.
• Ensure clients are supported to make choices and access the services identified. This may involve advocating on behalf of your clients for their rights and needs to be met.
• Ensure support is provided to clients and their children living in the accommodation in line with a structured plan that is driven by the risks posed to the client and the needs and preferences of the individual client, which is regularly reviewed with the client and line manager to ensure it reflects their current situation and priorities across the caseload, using mandated best practice tools.
• Report on every case every week through a standard report to the Assistant Director and Director of operations identifying current issues and risks, progress made,  next steps and the need for further support to enable the family to make progress against the  goals the client has agreed within the plan such as escalation for more senior level advocacy with agencies, additional advocacy with agencies  or commissioner involvement through the Director of operations to unlock barriers to progress e.g. .to ensure that a child is provided with a school place without delay, ensuring that a client does receive the Mental Health assessment required, or the debt management support required, in a timely manner and to ensure that all safeguarding responsibilities are being responded to by the relevant agencies without delay.
• Ensure that the standard operating procedure for refuge services is followed at all times and that meticulous case-notes are maintained
• Forge effective professional and close working relationships with colleagues and third party agencies conducting yourself always in a professional manner.
• Ensure accurate records are set up and maintained for all contacts and activities following appropriate legislation and policy.
• Respond to crises, safeguarding issues, and complaints effectively.
• Attend regular casework supervision session with your manager and team to discuss and reflect on client-related work.
• Work closely with the Designated Safeguarding lead to ensure all measures are delivered in respect of clients and their children and that at all times you adhere strictly to policies and procedures in respect of Safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
• To oversee staffing establishments to ensure they are consistent with the needs of service users and at safe and effective operational levels.
• Responsible for the recruitment, selection and retention process for all staff and posts within the area
• Responsible for annual employee appraisals, performance reviews and the professional development of staff.
• To work flexibly within the shift pattern allocated by your line manager

Essential Requirements:

• Managing complex casework including risk and needs assessment, safety and support planning, particularly with clients with multiple needs / disadvantages
• Working within a multi-agency and legislative framework
• Working with clients who have Mental Health
• Experience of supervising staff on a day to day basis.
• Have a good understanding of domestic abuse including the impact of domestic abuse on victims and their children
• Experience of working withi vulnerable people, homelessness/destitution.
• Full Driving Licence with own Vehicle

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