(Violence Against Women and Girls) VAWG Advocate

To provide information, advice, support and advocacy work on all forms  of  gender based  violence faced by migrant women,  including  forced marriage,  rape  and sexual  abuse,  honour based  crimes  and related  issues  such as  immigration/asylum  and no  recourse  to public  funds,  matrimonial and  children,  housing and  homelessness,  mental health  and  financial matters.  Your  casework will  focus  on women  with  complex needs. 

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES 

1. Provide  a  professional high-­quality  VAWG  advocacy and  outreach  service.  
2. Undertake casework  and  advocacy (this  will  include liaising  with  relevant professionals  and  agencies such  as  solicitors, social  workers,  police officers  etc.)  
3. Provide  practical  support such  as  accompanying women  to  appointments and  courts when needed,  making reports  to  such agencies  or  collecting belongings  and  otherwise taking  all  necessary steps  to  ensure the  general  safety and  wellbeing  of women  and  children.  
4. Write  assessment  reports and  support  letters, and  under  supervision, help  to  collect evidence  and  statements, as  well  as undertake  some  basic legal  representation.    
5. Undertake   risk   assessments  for   referral   to  the   Multi-­Agency   Risk  Assessment   Conferences  (MARACs)    
6. Establish  links  with key  partners  [local authority,  police,  health, schools,  etc.]  to ensure  effective  referral routes  and  information sharing  protocols.    
7. Assist  in  developing and  meeting  quality standards  in  relation to  advice  and casework.  This  includes administration  and  IT systems  for  advice and  casework.
8. Cover the helpline as required.  
9. Assist migrant women to access immigration advice, and assist in meeting their housing needs.   
10. To  undertake  campaigning and  policy  work arising  from  the advice  and  casework (this  may  involve some  weekend/evening  work)    
11. Where  necessary  to assist  staff  in organising  and  running support  group  activities and  consultations  for women  who  are isolated  and  vulnerable due  to  their experiences  of  violence and  abuse.    
12. To  publicise  and provide  S4S  services, and  attend,  contribute and  represent  the organisation  at  relevant local  meetings  or initiatives.  
13. To  support and mentor the Women’s Council.  
14. Follow  S4S policies  and procedures,  and  maintain IT  and  case file  management  systems.    
15. Contribute  to  S4S record  keeping  and provide  information  for monitoring,  evaluation,  policy, and  research  and training  purposes.  
16. Ensure  women  are referred  to  S4S projects  and  activities as  required  for example,  counselling or group work.
17. Support women residing in the refuge as required.  
18. Be self-­servicing  and  to assist  other  workers when  required.  
19. Undertake  any  additional duties  which  will contribute  to  the smooth  running  of the  S4S services  and projects.     

GENERAL  DUTIES AND  RESPONSIBILITIES   

1. Contribute to  the  smooth running  of  the project  and  activities
2. Assist in maintaining high standards in all aspects of the organisations work; including conduct with colleagues, external agencies and service users.
3. Comply and promote issues of confidentiality, equal opportunities and other policies and procedures of the organisations.
4. Attend supervision, training and staff, management and team meetings when required.
5. Promote equality and diversirty in all aspects of Safety4Sisters work. 

In order to deliver services effectively, a degree of flexibility is required, and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. Such duties, however, will fall within the scope of the job at the appropriate grade. 

This job description will be subjected to review with the post holder, to ensure that it accurately reflects the duties and range of the post. The aim is to improve the quality of service for Black and minoritised women and all matters relating to their well-being.

When necessary, the post holder may be expected to work evenings and weekends. This time can be claimed back as TOIL. 

This post is: 

• subject to Enhanced DBS Disclosure
• subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.  It will be necessary for a disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and barring Service for details of any previous criminal convictions.
• open to women* only (*exempt under the Equality Act 2010 Schedule 9, Part 1).