Stalking Advocate

Role:              Stalking Advocate

Based:           Basingstoke, East Hampshire, Hart & Rushmoor

Rate:              £27,720.54 -- £28,829.28

Start Date:     ASAP

Duration:       Permanent

Hours:           37 hours per week (Mon-Thurs 09.30-17.30, Fri 09.30 – 17.00)

Our client, a specialist domestic abuse charity is looking for a Stalking Advocate to provide a high-quality and pro-active front-line service to victims of stalking, delivering a pathway of care focusing on safety and protection to those experiencing stalking

Synopsis of duties:

• To fully understand risk posed to victims of stalking and to utilise appropriate risk management tools and strategies to reduce risk
• To ensure that the practical and emotional needs of victims and survivors living in the community are met including immediate and ongoing safety planning. 
• Identify and advocate for survivors and victims of stalking at the Hampshire Stalking Clinic and contribute to effective risk management strategies and a co-ordinated multi-agency response.
• Work with high-risk stalking victims to help them access services, engage with the criminal justice system and to keep them and their children safe.  To undertake risk assessments and utilise progress measurement tools as appropriate.
• Use and share best practice when supporting victims of stalking to upskill the wider Pan-Hampshire workforce.
• To collaboratively work with the allocated domestic abuse worker (internally and externally) when appropriate, to ensure the range of needs of victims are met. 
• Work in partnership with internal colleagues to shape training offers to adults and young people to raise awareness of stalking behaviours, both in professional and community capacities.
• To work in partnership with victims and survivors to identify the needs of their children and support them to access appropriate services.
• To ensure that a high standard of information, advice and support is provided for victims and survivors. 
• When necessary to support victims attending court, housing, or other appointments.
• To provide advice by telephone and face-to-face to assist victims and survivors experiencing stalking to understand the services available and make choices about their own future.
• Advocate for victims with agencies who can help to address the stalking by understanding the role of all relevant statutory and non-statutory services available to victims and how your role fits into them. Work directly with all key agency partners to address the safety of victims and ensuring that their safety plans are coordinated particularly through the MARAC/HRDA process.
• Manage a case load ensuring every victim and survivor receives the appropriate service individual to their needs.  Focusing on safety planning, practical safety measures and the use of civil and criminal justice systems to increase protection.
• Ensuring that all relevant records are kept accurately and confidentially in a timely manner.

Essential Requirements

• Safeguarding Adults Level 2 and / or Safeguarding Children Level 2 or demonstrable
• equivalent experience or the ability and commitment to achieve qualification within one month of employment.
• An understanding and awareness of the needs of women, men and children of all ages who have experienced stalking and domestic abuse
• Experience of managing a caseload of victims of stalking or domestic abuse for at least 1 year.
• An understanding of the additional risks associated with stalking.
• An understanding and knowledge of child protection and safeguarding and the ability to work within national, local and organisational guidelines
• An understanding of safe working practices while working in client’s homes
• Awareness of the legal and housing issues affecting victims and survivors and knowledge of the benefits system
• A clean driving licence and car owner

Supporting Futures Consulting acts as both an employer and an agency