JOB TITLE: ACTING CLIENT SERVICES CO ORDINATOR
DATE OF ISSUE: September *th **Apply on the
website**
RESPONSIBLE TO: Head of Domestic Abuse Services
COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service, operating from a city centre
location, provides support around 1, * women and
their children each year. Those who use our Service are women either
at risk from an abusive partner or have suffered abuse at the hands of
a partner in the past. Our role is to provide a safe space for each
woman and her children and then to assist her in exploring options and
making decisions which will lead to a better life.
THE SERVICE OFFERING IS COMPOSED OF A NUMBER OF STRANDS:
REFUGE – A purpose-built nine-bed refuge. The refuge provides
short-term emergency shelter to any woman who is at risk, who is in
danger and for whom no other place of safety can immediately be found.
The emphasis in refuge is on safety and allowing each woman calm and
time to consider her next steps.
OUTREACH – working with women who continue to live in the community
in their homes and who do not avail of refuge, whether by appointment
or drop-in. COPE Galway offer outreach provision in Galway City and at
various locations in Galway County, and most service users opt to
engage in this way.
CHILDREN’S AND YOUNG PERSON’S SERVICE – Solas Óg offers a
dedicated Children’s and young person’s Service, up to the age of
* years. The Solas Óg team works alongside
mothers and children, to manage the impact of abuse and to support in
healing and the building of resilience. Aligned with the Zero
Tolerance pillar of prevention, our team has a highly sought after
schools programme which addresses Healthy and unhealth Relationships.
ACCOMPANIMENT – women using our Service often seek support in
attendance at court, engagement with legal aid or legal support,
engagement with other agencies, eg, Intreo, local housing authorities,
etc.
TRAINING & AWARENESS – we are committed to addressing the causes of
abuse within our community and to challenging the societal norms that
can appear to make abuse acceptable. This is done through our Training
& Awareness programme, providing training to statutory and voluntary
agencies as well as working with schools, colleges and community
partners.
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION – we are committed to understanding the
issue of domestic abuse and to developing preventative approaches as
well as initiatives that offer better responses to victims. We engage
actively with opportunities to grow our expertise through research and
innovation.
ADVOCACY – COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service operates from a
rights-based approach and espousing a principle of empowerment. Our
work involves advocating with and for each woman, to advance her own
case, in addition to providing a voice for women in respect of shared
issues.
THE ROLE
COPE Galway is a Trauma Informed Organisation and as Client Services
Co-ordinator you will work as part of our vibrant Domestic Abuse
Service team whose focus is on ensuring that we provide a safe and
progressive place for all who seek support. The primary focus of your
role will be on overseeing and coordinating the delivery of case work
by our team to users of the refuge service. You will have specific
responsibility for the operation of the Refuge strand of our Service,
making it a place of welcome, safety and security, working in close
co-operation with our House Co-Ordinator and Refuge Team Leader to
achieve this. You will also be responsible, in conjunction with our
Outreach Coordinator, for ensuring that every drop-in to our service
is appropriately responded to and supported. Central to your role will
be to implement, maintain and support best practice in key work,
ensuring appropriate plans for progression are produced with each
woman, leading to her achievement of best outcomes.
CASEWORK
* To determine the best practice model for casework and ensure all
relevant staff are competent in its implementation, working with the
team to achieve this
* To support staff in the initial assessment of every woman,
including at time of admission
* To devise and implement systems to ensure work is trauma informed
and providing feedback and guidance to the team
* To support the team in working through obstacles in key work,
through better understanding of the woman and through adapting the key
work approach to better fit the woman’s needs
* To devise, implement and monitor an appropriate case file approach
and support the team in its implementation
* To convene regular meetings of key workers to share expertise and
to facilitate peer support
* To support each key worker in determining the level of service
most appropriate to the woman’s needs
* To co-ordinate and support the team in the day-to-day work with
women and children, delegating where necessary and appropriate, and in
co-operation with Solas Óg team
* To ensure adequate follow up and consistency for those using our
service.
* To ensure that all relevant information is conveyed to staff at
the handover meetings and that these meetings work effectively.
REFUGE
* To ensure the refuge is operational */7,
* days of the year, through managing the
allocation of team resources accordingly, and attending where
necessary, ensuring correct staffing levels are rostered at all times.
* To manage the Relief Panel, ensuring that staff cover is always
available, and that the panel contains the relevant skillset to meet
the needs of the women and children requiring our service
* To work closely with the House Co-ordinator on the allocation of
accommodation, and including in the allocation of operational tasks
with the staff team on a day-to-day basis
* To consult and liaise with external voluntary, statutory and
professional agencies, as appropriate.
* To be vigilant for the signs of physical, emotional and sexual
abuse and neglect in children and report and record, in line with
relevant legislation
* To ensure that the team get adequate break and rest time,
providing cover if necessary.
CONTRIBUTION TO MANAGEMENT OF THE SERVICE
* To identify service gaps and prioritise plans for the development
of the service
* To attend on-going training when requested, and contribute to
staff meetings, convening such meetings, as required
* To work in accordance with the policies and procedures of the
service, and to bring any difficulties to the attention of the Head of
Service, including working on the further development of policy and
procedure, as appropriate
* To ensure that all those that need our service are fully involved
in decisions affecting them
* To strive to work within the ethos and philosophy of the service
at all times
* To contribute towards the development of the service and ensure
the philosophy and objectives of the service are upheld
* To assist in the overall administration of COPE Galway Domestic
Abuse Service, in conjunction with the Head of Service
* To track, monitor and contribute to all recording procedures
* To ensure that reports, proposals and monthly statistics are
accurate and completed to professional standards
* To assist in funding applications, service reports, data
collection, media articles, interviews etc, as required
* To delivery trauma informed supervision
* To manage TMS / time recording system for the refuge team
* To monitor the training and development needs of staff and self
HEALTH & SAFETY
* Take reasonable care for your own safety, health and welfare, and
that of others who may be affected by your actions or omissions
* Co-operate with your employer in relation to compliance with
statutory requirements under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work
Act, *, *
* Use protective equipment, clothing or other means for securing the
safety, health and welfare of employees
* Respect protective clothing and equipment provided for securing
the safety, health or welfare of persons arising out of work
activities
* Report to management, without delay, any defects in the workplace,
plant, equipment or systems of work, which may lead to danger
* Ensure to regularly review and proactively stay informed of all
health and safety and fire safety procedures on an ongoing basis
* Be proactive in the area of self-care with regard to identifying
any impacts of the work
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
* A MINIMUM OF FIVE YEARS direct case work / key work experience with
victims of domestic abuse
* Demonstrable knowledge of current domestic abuse legislation and
issues
* Demonstrable knowledge of welfare, housing and other matters as
they pertain to victims of domestic abuse
* Full knowledge of issues pertaining to Children First and
safeguarding
* Management experience, including the supervision of staff, in a
management or leadership role
* Excellent organisational skills, including in the use of ICT
* Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the
capacity to prepare reports, file notes, correspondence to a high
standard
* Capacity to mentor and guide staff
* Fully flexible and a willingness to meet the demands of the role
KNOWLEDGE
* Knowledge of the dynamics of abuse, the impact of abuse on women
and children and how women and children can present
* Knowledge of the role of power and control within an abusive
relationship and how theories of power and control can be utilised to
empower a woman
* Knowledge of key work approaches with women, adaptable to various
forms / circumstances of abuse, and methodologies to be deployed as
support
* Knowledge and an understanding of the impact of trauma and
knowledge / experience of working with women who are so impacted
* Knowledge of a broad range of issues including mental health,
addictions, relationship and family breakdown, poverty and social
exclusion
* A commitment to feminist principles in the practice of working on
violence against women
* A high degree of cultural competency, with knowledge of the impact
of domestic abuse as it pertains to women from various backgrounds
CORE COMPETENCIES
* An ability to take responsibility for service delivery and the
achievement of outcomes
* Ability to encourage and promote a healthy working environment
which fosters trust, respect and hard work
* An ability to generate insights and solutions to challenges
* An ability to deal with unexpected situations in a flexible way
* Committed to collaborating with other agencies and services in the
delivery of this organisational vision and the necessary skill to
achieve this through positive effective relationships and networks
* Innovative in identifying new ways to work with, liaise with and
engage with clients
* The ability to solve complex problems, creating effective and
innovative solutions
* Professionalism and the capacity to act as a role model and
support to colleagues to do the same
* Respect and value differing views and go the ‘extra mile’ and
help colleagues when required
* Promote a culture of high level trust and integrity
* Encourage staff to identify strengths and focus on progress,
despite the challenges they face
* Competent in the collection, collation and analysis of
information, whether through paper-based systems of ICT-based systems
The duties outlined in this job description may be subject to review
in the future.
KEY TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
* Hours: * hours per week
* Contract: Specific Purpose
* Pay Scale On Application
The closing date is 2ND OF OCTOBER.
APPLICANTS CAN SEND THEIR APPLICATION TO **APPLY ON THE WEBSITE**
We need : English (Good)
Type: Permanent
Payment:
Category: Others
