Reports to: Advocacy & Outreach Services Manager
Hours of work: 37.5
Holidays: 25 days
Fixed term until end of March 2026 (with the possibility of extension, subject to funding).
Objectives:
Under the general direction of The Dash Charity Management Committee to undertake the duties of Diverse Communities Support worker as specified below on behalf of The Dash Charity. To work within the aims, policies, guidelines and practices of The Dash Charity, paying particular attention to key areas of Health & Safety, Confidentiality and Equal Opportunities.
Purpose of Job:
To provide a pro-active, short to medium term service in a multi-agency framework, to Medium risk clients of domestic abuse focussing on risk and safety management.
The Diverse Communities Support Worker will support a caseload of clients with a specific focus on diversity (race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio- economic status, age, physical abilities, and religious beliefs) seeking to understand the needs of groups who face additional barriers to disclosure and responding appropriately. The Diverse Communities Support Worker will work with female and male survivors and other agencies and monitor the care pathway. This service will be located away from The Dash Charity’s main refuge houses.
The role will cover clients residing in the Slough area.
Main Duties:
To operate within clear professional and confidentiality boundaries and to work within The Dash Charity code of conduct.
Ensure clients are clear about their rights and obligations whilst receiving support.
Daily check e mail and answer urgent requests
Review workload daily and prioritise
Ensure that meaningful involvement of clients is central to all activities, applying equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory policies and ensuring rights to privacy and confidentiality.
Contribute to the development and review of The Dash Charity policies and procedures.
To implement and adhere to The Dash Charity policies and procedures
To hold a caseload of 25 clients at any one time, providing bespoke practical and emotional support over a period of approx. 12 weeks.
To fully adhere to the Dash Charity IDVA Case Management Policy, ensuring files are to the required audited standards, ensuring SafeLives Leading Lights status is maintained.
To undertake risk assessments in line with Safelives standards and guidelines
To use the outcome of the risk assessment to create a tailored support plan and safety plan in conjunction with the client.
To regularly review risk assessments and safety & support plans on an ongoing basis.
Work within a multi-agency setting and keep the client’s safety central to all co-ordinated responses (this will include referral and participation in the local MARACs [Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference])
Support clients with options of civil remedies and child contact options.
Support clients through criminal justice system.
To support clients through the social care processes, providing written reports and attending multi-agency meetings alongside a client
Attend agency meetings as client’s advocate as and when necessary.
To ensure clients are treated with respect, dignity and sensitivity. A Support Worker will respect the diversity of the community and work to ensure all survivors have access to the services they need.
To understand that each individual is unique and recognising individual differences.
Support the empowerment of the client and assist them in recognising the dynamics of domestic abuse.
Respect and understand the diversity of the local community and proactively support clients to access services on an equitable basis.
Support colleagues, through peer supervision and partner agencies, through awareness raising and institutional advocacy to provide the best possible service to victims of domestic abuse.
Keep and maintain accurate and confidential records and contribute to monitoring and evaluation information for the project as directed by the Line Manager
To keep abreast with relevant legislation, guidance and service provision
To establish and maintain solid links and referral pathways with targeted multi agency partners to develop a bespoke and effective diverse service.
To further own research into marginalised groups, seeking to understand communities, vulnerable groups and barriers to support and disclosure. Through supervision, explore and implement different approaches to tailor interventions to identified groups of marginalised clients
To identify and action participation in relevant boards, forums, networking events in order in order to raise awareness of the diversity role, make key contacts to increase referral pathways and gain an insight into the needs and wishes of marginalised groups.
To show commitment to client involvement and ensure the client voice is heard through feedback, questionnaires and focus groups, with actions identified and actioned as a result.