Family Court Pathfinder Independent Domestic - Blaina, United Kingdom - Phoenix DAS

Description

Job Title:
Family Court Pathfinder Independent Domestic Violence Adviser

Number of hours:
up to 37 Hours per week


Remuneration:
Salary - £ 29,705


Contract:
Current funding to 31 March 2025, pending review thereafter

Accountable to:
Family Court Pathfinder Operational Manager

Location:
Phoenix DAS offices in Blaina

Travel Within the SE Wales Designated Family Judge area incorporating local authority areas of: Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Newport and Monmouthshire.

Attendance at Family Courts within these areas may be required.

Benefits A generous package including 25 days holiday a year (rising by one for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30) plus public and discretionary holidays, Flexible Working Hours Scheme, employee pension scheme with employer contribution, childcare voucher scheme.

Background

SMT and Phoenix DAS are registered charities specialising in domestic abuse, adopting a whole family approach we provide advocacy, support, awareness and early intervention, recognition and behaviour change.

Working collaboratively, SMT and Phoenix DAS are the appointed service providers for the Family Court Pathfinder service in the South East Wales Designated Family Judge area.

As detailed in the 'Harm Panel Report', the current model of private law proceedings is adversarial and does not meet the needs of families, particularly those affected by domestic abuse.

The Family Court Pathfinder service will work with HMCTS, CAFCASS Cymru, Local Authorities, Police and wider partners at an earlier point in proceedings to improve the experiences of children and families particularly parent victims of domestic abuse and their children.

Purpose of the post:

Lead the provision of specialist domestic abuse support to families accessing Family Court where there are concerns, evidence and/or accusations of domestic abuse, including the completion of Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour Based Violence (DASH) assessments with victim-survivors referred to them by Cafcass Cymru and provision of in-court IDVA support to those who need it.

Support an investigative and problem-solving approach which integrates the court with wider services that can support families.

Support a child welfare focused approach and work closely with agencies to promote the voice of the child.


Main Tasks:

Adopting a trauma informed, strengths based and needs led approach with all victims and survivors of domestic abuse accessing the Family Court system offering support, information and advocacy to maximise positive and timely outcomes at court.

Identify and assess the risks and needs of families referred to the service using the DASH risk identification checklist and provide the assessments to the referring social work agency (CAFCASS Cymru or Local Authority) within agreed timescales.

Adopting a multi-agency approach, improving coordination between the Family Court and agencies, such as local authorities and Police and the way allegations of domestic abuse and other risks of harm are dealt with.

Work with partners to enable earlier engagement with children within proceedings, ensuring their voice, feelings and wishes are centred within the process.

Provide high quality telephone or face to face support, advice and advocacy to service users in respect of their rights, housing, legal options, health and finance.

Explore and assess cases of counter-allegations, and present these findings to Cafcass Cymru/Local Authority

Based on the evidence you collect, provide a professional report for Cafcass Cymru/Local Authority to present to court.

Empower individuals to know and exercise their rights and protect these by holding to account agencies who are responsible for respecting, promoting, and fulfilling these rights.

Support the empowerment of victims and assist them in recognising the features and dynamics of domestic abuse present in their situation and help them regain control of their lives.

Contribute to and participate in multi-disciplinary training including specialist domestic abuse training.

Participate in multi agency conferences in respect of safeguarding children and adults as required, providing reports and undertaking actions as necessary.

Comply with data protection legislation, confidentiality and information sharing policies and procedures.

Commit to ensuring a non-discriminatory service which includes identifying barriers to access for vulnerable groups.

Maintenance of accurate, up-to-date and comprehensive file notes.

Effective engagement in monthly case review meetings with line manager

Ensure that all statistical and outcome evidence is captured, maintained and reported in line with commissioner and organisation reporting procedures.

Provide information to other agencies in accordance with the organisation's confidentiality policy and agreed information sharing protocols.

To work in partnership with other agencies to sa