The Role
The post holder will provide dedicated and specialist advocacy support to clients aged 12 + and their loved ones of all genders and gender identities in Co. Donegal and surrounding areas as required. They will work within a Rape Crisis setting to provide pro-active, survivor-led support to service users, including supporting them to access and understand the criminal justice system and support mechanisms. They will build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, as well as help to increase and improve access to DRCC’s services for anyone affected by sexual violence both recent and/or historical.
- Provide pro-active, client led support to anyone affected by sexual violence of all genders aged 12+ working with the relevant support services including An Garda Siochana, SATU Sexual Assault Treatment Unit, referrers, clients and potential clients, parents/guardians
- To facilitate trauma informed, empowerment based, practical and emotional support, information and advocacy to survivors who have experienced, are experiencing sexual violence
- Client support will include:
- Responding to crisis calls and undertaking referral/client follow up/check in calls
- Welcoming and introducing potential clients to the centre and informing them of our various services
- Assisting in ensuring clients and their supporters are provided with a calm, safe space including welcoming current clients and their supporters to the centre
- Organising and undertaking client intake appointments
- To carry out and regularly review risk assessments for clients and new referrals
- Garda Accompaniment, Court Accompaniment and occasional SATU Accompaniment -if required
- Providing information on the legal process including reporting, making a statement and court proceedings and process and providing information on the preparation of Victim Impact Statements
- Co-facilitating parent/guardian group and any other upcoming groups
- Assisting in delivery of DRCC training programmes, information talks and fundraising events
- Identifying suitable referral pathways and carrying out referrals and/or signposting to other agencies and services as appropriate in consultation with the client
- Demonstrate a commitment to Donegal Rape Crisis Service Values and practice and maintain good practice standards at all times
- To work closely with DRCC team maintaining client confidentiality and adhering to GDPR
- To build and maintain a local information base and positive working relationships
- To participate in the development of special projects as agreed by the Service Manager
To actively engage in the Donegal Rape Crisis supervision and appraisal model
- To be committed to your own personal development
- To keep accurate records and information in line with GDPR and Donegal Rape Crisis policies and procedures. To update database and monitoring systems and collate data as required by the service
- To provide reports including funder reports and statistics in line with agreed practices and procedures as requested by the Manager
- Proactively seek feedback from service users in line with DRCC’s monitoring and evaluation procedures, and to ensure feedback from survivors shapes and informs the work of the service.
- To work on a flexible basis within the overall number of contracted hours to provide an accessible service to all survivors. This may include evening and/or weekend work as required
To attend external meetings and training events and represent DRCC when required
- To attend and participate in team and other DRCC meetings as required
- To contribute to the development of Donegal Rape Crisis Centre
- Any other duties as commensurate with the post, as requested by the Manager
Requirements
Specification
Knowledge (including education/qualifications)
Professionally qualified and accredited counsellor/therapist or fully qualified Social Worker
X Essential
An excellent understanding of the impacts of sexual violence on individual survivors, their friends, families and the wider community, and the support needs of those who have experienced sexual violence.
X Essential
An excellent understanding of the impacts of trauma and approaches to working with trauma
X Essential
Have completed training in trauma and/or area of sexual violence
X Essential
An understanding of the support needs of survivors of sexual violence
X Essential
Knowledge of TUSLA child and vulnerable adult protection, retrospective reporting procedures and legislation.
X Essential
A good understanding of data protection and confidential working practices and how these apply to t