Role Profile:

Job Title:

Outreach DA Support Worker

Grade:

Salary:
Hours:
Contract Type:
Location:
Responsible to:
Responsible for:
Committed

Curiosity

4.5
£28,000 per annum
35
18 Months Fixed Term Contract – full time
Thanet and Dover
Outreach Team Service Manager
All associated reporting data and case studies

Connected

Collaborative

Compassionate

Background:

Oasis is a passionate and ambitious organisation committed to tackling the causes and
consequences of domestic abuse on families. We are known in Kent & Medway for our
dedicated, independent services that have been supporting the cause with a local focus for many
years.

Overall:

We provide an efficient service for families affected by domestic violence and abuse across Kent
& Medway. These families and individuals will have a range of needs, and our client support
work is needs-led, risk-focused & trauma-informed with a focus on developing individual
resilience. We work with clients in a range of settings. We provide group working and all support
colleagues are expected to be capable of integrated working in the wider social system.
Colleagues are expected to work flexibly as needed by service demands, this may include
evenings and weekends. Where necessary colleagues are also expected to participate in the out-
of-hours service, providing an on-call system for the refuge service users (for which
enhancements are paid)

Working with the mission of the organisation:

Frontline roles are the reason for the charity's existence, and the holder of this post must have
excellent team and communication skills (especially in working across the internal and external
systems), must have a strong understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence and abuse,
and must have excellent boundaries in working within the limits of the role and be committed to

ensuring that Oasis service users have excellent support.  This role requires a can-do attitude
helping service users to progress on their journeys, building new lives free from violence and
abuse.

Competency:

Colleagues at Oasis have a commitment to and optimistic approach with the emotional support
and development of their client group. They are reflective about their practice and able to use
techniques to keep their work sound and safe for both them and the client.
The organisation utilises a competency framework to enable the development of competent and
emotionally intelligent behaviors. All colleagues are expected to engage with personal learning
through the use of this framework. A summary is attached at the end of this role description.

Purpose of the role:

The post will be part of Oasis frontline services, including a range of services aimed at creating a
whole family approach to those experiencing domestic abuse living in the community and as the
role dictates, in Oasis accommodation. As a team you will provide a wraparound approach,
along with specialist/statutory services. The team offers flexible support to recent victims of
domestic abuse through a strengths and needs-led, risk-focused approach.

The key purpose of the Community team, communities, and Oasis accommodation, while
enabling service users to address their needs. The service aims to enable victims to discuss
issues relating to their experiences freely and without judgement. They will be supported in
whatever decisions they make and be assisted in accessing other agencies as appropriate to
their circumstances and wishes.

Community DA support worker:

The community team's work is focused on supporting those living in the community and working
with those at medium risk, utilizing a coordinated community response. Following a full needs
assessment, they will create support plans that will include, but are not limited to considering risk,
safety planning, housing, legal, and financial matters, which are tailored to meet their clients'
needs.

Additional Role Responsibilities:
Within the Community DA support worker role circumstances and funding can require the role to
have additional responsibilities and therefore require an additional set of skills and knowledge.
The job title will dictate the additional role requirements.

Community and accommodation DA support worker:
This dual-purpose role covers both the Community DA support worker role and the direct
support of those living in Oasis accommodation.  They are the voice of clients throughout their
journey within the accommodation, creating individually tailored interventions to meet their
practical and emotional needs. This role requires the skills and capabilities to advocate with a
range of multi-agency partners, particularly housing and children’s specialist services, and the
patience and understanding of mental health and trauma to manage any negative coping
strategies of our residents.

Access Accommodation IDVA:
This is a Community and Accommodation DA support worker with an accessibility focus. This
specialist support involves assertive engagement and intervention that creates opportunities for
those who may be deemed to have ‘complex needs’ to be housed within the service. An Access
IDVA should have a good understanding of trauma-informed practice and be able to offer services
that meet the needs of people with a range of additional needs. This will involve excellent multi-
agency working and relationship building.

Key Responsibilities:

1.  To manage a caseload; focusing on medium-risk victims to provide a proactive short to

medium-term service based on the RAISE policies and procedures

2.  To assess incoming referrals and identify the best support agreement for their needs
following the RAISE support framework toolkit, including specific response times.

3.  To contact service users, providing and seeking information with a professional approach

via telephone, online, and in person.

4.  To provide ongoing assessment and review of a trauma-informed SMART support and
safety plan. This will include a holistic, ongoing view of the multiple needs of the
individual.

5.  To provide support, information, advocacy, and signposting, including relationship

breakdown, substance misuse, mental health, safety planning, housing options, welfare &
benefits, civil and criminal legal issues, immigration, budgeting, paying bills, addressing
debt, tenancy sustainment, education, training, employment and access to other
agencies, by telephone, online or in person in a mutually agreed safe place.

6.  To enable service users to develop the skills and resources necessary to move on and

maintain independence and self-reliance.

7.  To provide emotional support, using solution-focused practice and ways to wellbeing.
8.  To identify and risk assess complex multiple needs such as substance misuse and mental

health.

9.  To follow Risk Assessment and Safety Planning processes as detailed in the RAISE toolkit,

including the DASH checklist.

10. Manage the safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children in line with organisational

policy, in discussion with a Senior/Manager, and with open communication with Children
and Families and Adult Services.

11. Risk assessment and safety plan with service users and deliver service in keeping with the

result.

12. Support the empowerment of the client and assist them in recognising the dynamics of

domestic/sexual violence.

13. Develop individual safety and support plans to meet individual risks and support needs
that clients face, regularly review cases ensuring that all agencies are meeting the needs of
clients. Ensure effective liaison with agencies regarding case management.

14. Refer appropriate clients to MARAC, explaining procedures and rights within the MARAC
process to the client and, keeping clients’ safety central to all coordinated responses,
ensure all safeguarding referrals are made.

15. Where required, work alongside the MARAC team to support High-risk clients within

accommodation settings.

16. To refer to High-risk clients to MARAC using the RAISE team protocols.
17. To support clients within the criminal justice system.
18. To support clients through the criminal justice system, explaining the procedures and

their roles and rights within the court process, and ensuring that, whenever possible,
clients have realistic expectations of the criminal justice system.

19. To liaise with the CPS, Witness Care Unit, police, and other partner agencies to ensure

that the client's safety needs are considered within the judicial process

20. To facilitate group work.
21. Provide direct support to Police, primary care services, housing departments, and adult

and children’s social services in the provision and coordination of support developing
strong relationships with these and other partners to improve the outcomes for clients.

22. Provide coverage at One Stop shops, drop-ins and helplines as required.
23. Where engagement requires, to provide support in a location that meets the needs of
the client, ensuring that the lone working policy is adhered to and the location is
mutually agreed to be safe

24. To participate in co-located working with partner agencies, such as police, social services,
housing, and any other places where attendance is beneficial to the client group.

25. To attend any multi-agency meetings or forums as required
26. To participate in awareness raising and training to partner agencies and the general

public as requested

27. To ensure that caseload is regularly reviewed, actions recorded and undertaken, and

cases transferred or closed following case review.

28. To hold a caseload efficiently and effectively.
29. To ensure that regular opportunities are given for service users to feedback on the

service.

30. To maintain thorough, confidential, and up-to-date service user records and case

management notes using a client database.

31. To engage with all impact analysis and story gathering for organisational learning.
32. To remain up-to-date and compliant with all organisational policies and procedures and

professional codes of conduct to uphold standards of best practice.

33. Participate in an on-call system for out-of-hours emergencies for accommodation clients.
34. To perform other reasonable tasks as identified by the organisation.
35. To engage positively with the clinical supervision process.

Additional Responsibilities (Community and Accommodation DA support worker role):

1.  To manage the day-to-day running of the accommodation,  including undertaking health and
safety and fire checks and assessments, and ensuring compliance with relevant health and
safety legislation.

2.  Manage the dynamic relationships with the household, including any resident and

neighbour disputes and complaints,

3.  Encourage participation in service user consultation and involvement with the organisation.
4.  To make applications to appropriate funders and charitable organisations for appropriate

individual grants for those leaving the accommodation.

5.  Chairing regular House meetings.
6.  Managing the daily safety and security of the accommodation.
7.  To support clients to fulfill their potential throughout their journey in accommodation.
8.  Provide 12 weeks of resettlement support to those who have moved on from refuge into

settled accommodation.

Additional Responsibilities (Access Accommodation DA support worker role):

1.  Supporting the development of the referral and assessment pathway for those who

struggle to access services.

2.  Working face-to-face is integral to this service provision and may often be in the form of

joint visits with other providers.

3.  Advocate on behalf of our most vulnerable client group to ensure that their voice is heard,

their needs are met and they are treated with the respect and dignity they rightfully
deserve.
Initiating, attending, and developing drop-ins and other services to support complex
service users both, within the accommodation and in the community.

4.

5.  Attending local forums and meetings that consider our most vulnerable client groups and

6.

developing strong networking opportunities with attendees.
Identifying awareness-raising and primary prevention opportunities in the community.
This will include regular visits to community groups and other agencies to aid the
development of close multi-agency referral systems

7.  Complete additional monitoring information for the service as required and support and
engage with all impact analysis and story gathering for organisational reporting and
learning

Review arrangements:

The details contained in the role specification reflect the content of the job at the date the
document was prepared. It should be remembered, however, that it is inevitable that over time
the nature of individual jobs will change; existing duties may be lost and other duties may be
gained without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility
entailed. Consequently, we will expect to revise this role specification from time to time and will
consult with the post holder at the appropriate time.

Oasis Domestic Abuse Service is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of
children; applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to
the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Essential  Desirable

Person Specification
1. Experience
Substantial experience of providing emotional and practical support to service
users, probably acquired over a period of not less than 2 years.
Experience working in a multi-agency setting with a willingness for partnership
working
Experience in engaging with service users through assertive outreach
Experience in liaising with social services, police, health agencies, housing
providers and voluntary organisations
Experience working within a residential setting/refuge/women’s advice
centre or similar, or another relevant agency.
ACCESS ACCOMMODATION DA SUPPORT WORKER ONLY:
Experience working with service users with mental health, drug or alcohol or other
additional vulnerabilities.
2. Knowledge & Qualifications

Advanced theoretical, practical and procedural knowledge regarding the issues
surrounding the impact of domestic abuse and sexual violence victims
and their families and the civil and criminal justice remedies relating to domestic
and sexual violence.
Knowledge of when to refer, coupled with the ability to understand complex
needs such as substance misuse and mental health issues.
Knowledge of child and adult protection issues and legal responsibilities

Knowledge of undertaking risk assessments and designing safety plans

Knowledge and understanding of the remits of the relevant statutory and
voluntary agencies
A recognised social work, counselling or related qualification

Good understanding of trauma informed practice

3. Capabilities & skills

Highly skilled in delivering group work sessions

Highly skilled in assessment of the service user’s needs
Skilled in motivational interviewing and approaches such as brief therapy
intervention
A methodical and well organised approach to workload and an ability to work
within a stressful environment and be able to work on own initiative with minimal
supervision
Excellent inter-personal and communication skills, able to communicate
effectively both orally and in writing. Able to work effectively within a team setting

An ability to manage crisis situations calmly and with a problem-solving approach.
Excellent advisory, guidance, negotiation and persuasive skills in order to influence
outcomes for service users
An ability to develop a trusting and confidential relationship with abused service
users and interpret assessments in order to support a safety plan

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

To be respectful, non-judgmental, non-directive and confidential in supporting
service users. To encourage service users to take control of their lives and set
realistic objectives and goals. Ability to communicate effectively with service
users whilst maintaining professional boundaries.
Ability to work within a line management structure
Good administrative skills. Computer literate and able to maintain accurate records

Experience of working with an online case management system

4. Emotional intelligence
Self Awareness: recognizing own emotions, strengths and limits, being self-
confident
Self Regulation: having self-control, honesty, accountability, flexibility and being
welcoming of new ideas.
Motivation: drive to achieve the best outcome, ability to align with the values and
goals of the organization, opportunistic, persistent
Empathy: understanding others, developing others, client focus, cultivating
diversity, able to read and work with group/ team dynamics.
Social skills: able to influence, convincing and adult communication, inspiring
messages, able to drive change, nurturing of instrumental relationships, working
together on shared goals and able to create group synergy.
5. Other
Candidates must be willing to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service
check
Evidence of qualifications listed on the application form
Full driving license and access to own vehicle

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y
Y

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Personal
Skills
determine how we
manage ourselves

Social Skills
determine how we
handle
relationships

Self-
awareness
knowing one's
internal states,
preferences,
resources and
intuitions
Self-
regulation
managing one's
internal states,
impulses and
resources

Motivation
emotional
tendencies that
guide or facilitate
reaching goals

Empathy

awareness of
others' feelings,
needs and
concerns

Social Skills
adeptness at
inducing desirable
responses in others

Emotional Awareness

Recognising one’s emotions and their effects

Accurate Self-
Assessment

Knowing one’s strengths and limits

Self-confidence

A strong sense of one’s self worth and capabilities

Self-Control

Trustworthiness

Keeping disruptive emotions and impulse in check

Maintaining standards of honesty and integrity

Conscientiousness

Taking responsibility for personal performance

Adaptability

Innovation

Drive

Flexibility in handling change

Being comfortable with novel ideas, approaches and new information

Striving to improve or meet a standard excellence

Commitment

Aligning with the goals of the organisation

Initiative

Optimism

Readiness to act on opportunities

Persistence in pursuing goals despite obstacles and setbacks

Understanding Others

Sensing others’ feelings and perspectives, and taking an active interest in
their concerns

Developing Others

Sensing others’ development needs and bolstering their abilities

Task Focus

Anticipating, recognising and meeting client needs

Cultivating Diversity

Cultivating opportunities through different kinds of people

Political Awareness

Reading a group’s emotional currents and power relationships

Influence

Wielding effective tactics for persuasion

Communication

Listening openly and sending convincing messages

Conflict Management

Negotiating and resolving disagreements

Leadership

Change Catalyst

Building Bonds
Collaboration &
Cooperation
Team Capabilities

Inspiring and guiding individuals and groups

Initiating or managing change

Nurturing instrumental relationships

Working with others towards shared goals

Creating group synergy in pursuing collective goals