DRIVE Case Manager (Domestic Abuse)

Direct Work with Service Users

• Maintain a proactive response to service users, continuously providing positive options for behaviour change throughout the service users' time in the Drive project.
• Use a combination of motivational work, relationship building, and a broad range of therapeutic skills to engage service users in addressing their abusive behaviour.
• Motivate and support service users to address the broad range of needs that may contribute to the risk that they pose to others or act as a barrier for them in addressing that risk. e.g. housing, substance use etc.
• Ensure that service users understand that the community and Drive project will ensure that they are accountable for continued use of abuse and abusive behaviour towards others.
• Ensure that there is a consistent delivery of services to the identified perpetrators of domestic abuse, including comprehensive risk assessment, support planning, referrals to other agencies, and MARACs.
• Develop strategies that will disrupt the continued risk posed by service users.
• Undertake assessment of risk, needs, and attitudes to inform the individual service user’s intervention plan.
• Ensure that risk assessment and risk management procedures are followed at all times.
• Respect and value the diversity of the community in which the service works in, providing a service that recognises the diverse needs of service users and their families.
• Work closely with the IDVAs’ supporting the partners, ex-partners, and new partners, and family members of service users in managing risk and developing intervention plans, as set out in the Drive Manual.
• The welfare and safety of children and young people is paramount, considered in every aspect of your work, address parenting needs where appropriate, and take action to safeguard children.

General

• Remain up-to-date and compliant with all relevant legislation connected to your work, including organisational procedures, policies, and professional codes of conduct and practice guidance, in order to uphold standards of best practice.
• Represent the service at local events; deliver training and presentations as required.
• Feed into the learning process via the Service to improve services to perpetrators of domestic abuse ensuring that the experiences of service users and other agencies inform this process.
• Be confident to evidence reflective practice in all aspects of work, sharing learning and.
• Be committed to reviewing individual and team practice and undertake regular training.
• Act with integrity and respect when interacting with service users, employees, agencies, and individuals.
• Competent in defensible decision making, recording, and being held accountable.
• Show initiative in tackling issues within the service and in relation to other agencies.
• Act as a champion for the implementation of the pilot programme in your area.
• Hold a full driving license, have access to a car, and be able to travel across the pilot area as required.
• Partake in evening and weekend work as required.

Person Specification

Essential Experience

• Direct work with vulnerable service users.
• Working within a public protection/safeguarding multi-agency setting. e.g. Child protection, vulnerable adults, MARAC, MAPPA.
• Managing safeguarding issues and procedures.
• Writing and presenting information formally and informally, to a range of audiences.
• Working within legislative frameworks and using this application to develop, influence, and encourage partnership working.
• Working within conflict management continuum.
• Evidence of keeping reliable and timely reporting and meeting deadlines.

Desirable Experience

• Work with victims and/or perpetrators of domestic abuse.
• Work with service users with complex needs and/or challenging behaviour.
• Working with service users with diagnosed mental health issues.
• Working with service users with substance misuse.
• Work with young people aged 16-25 years.
• Using pro-social modelling and motivational interviewing in practice.

Knowledge and Understanding

• Have an excellent understanding of domestic abuse, including the impact on victims and their children, and the legal and practical remedies available.
• An understanding of public protection arrangements, the provision of policing, child protection, health and social care, housing support, and multi-agency/partnership working.
• Have a good knowledge of effective ways of working/engaging with perpetrators of domestic abuse.
• Have a thorough understanding of IDVA work including risk assessment, risk management, and comprehensive safety planning.
• Have theoretical and procedural knowledge of other services involved in the response to domestic abuse.
• Understand multi-agency partnerships in relation to domestic abuse.
• An understanding of the MARAC process at an operational level.
• Understanding of the child protection system.

Skills

• Ability and willingness to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good relationship management with regard to multi-agency work that incorporates sensitivity, responsiveness, and attention to the promotion of congruent and effective partnership working.
• IT skills, including the use of Microsoft Office.
• Hold a relevant degree, a vocational qualification, or equivalent experience.
• Support and guide your service users, and have excellent advisory, negotiation, and persuasive skills.
• Empathy.
• Have excellent conflict and crisis management skills and the ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations.
• Have excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lead and facilitate discussions to achieve a positive outcome.
• Excellent networking skills and the ability to develop strong working relationships with other agencies.
• Reflection and self-awareness.

Attributes

• Have confidence in their own ability to make decisions.
• An ability to work collaboratively as part of a team; whilst also having the initiative to work independently as necessary.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and oral).
• Belief in perpetrator behaviour change.
• A comprehensive understanding of risk.
• Range of experience in domestic abuse sector.
• Capacity to manage raw emotions including conflict, challenge, and trauma.
• Proactive and self-motivated.