Support Practitioner | Ending Violence and Abuse Aberdeen (EVAA) - 419838

Aberdeen Cyrenians; Aberdeen City; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job description

Position

Job Title: Support Practitioner | Community Support - Violence and Abuse Services

Responsible to: Community Service Manager

Responsible for: Relief Workers, Volunteers and Student Placements

Hours of work: Full-time (36.5 hours per week)

Contract: Fixed term to 31st March 2026

Salary: Scale point 26 (£23,760)

SSSC registration level: Practitioner

Required Qualification: A qualification of N/SVQ3 in Care, or equivalent or the willingness and ability to attain this within five years

Service Information: Community Support Violence and Abuse Services

Our EVAA service works across the whole spectrum of domestic violence, gender-based abuse and exploitation and past trauma. Recognising the complexity of multiple forms of abuse and crisis, the service offers person-centred, empowering support to individuals for both emergency and recovery needs.

Main Responsibilities

Proactively support and deliver holistic, person-centred and recovery orientated violence and abuse services, through trauma-informed key working and case management with survivors of violence and abuse.

Job activities

• Work in alignment with the service and organisational aims and values, demonstrating a commitment to empowering marginalised and vulnerable individuals.
• Engage and support survivors to identify their specific needs, providing both emotional and practical support, to ensure positive outcomes.
• Conduct thorough needs assessments and review survivors' circumstances by gathering accurate and appropriate information. Develop personalised support plans, conduct risk assessments, and create safety plans.
• Support the delivery of psychologically informed interventions and group work.
• Liaise with various agencies on behalf of survivors, including social work, housing, health, police, courts, utility companies, debt agencies, Department for Work & Pensions, other voluntary sector organisations, and professionals to ensure seamless service delivery.
• Assist in protecting survivors from harm and collaborate with other agencies to ensure appropriate safeguarding.
• Ensure survivors' views remain paramount, provide agreed advocacy, assist with communication issues, and address potential obstacles such as literacy and numeracy.
• Maintain professional confidentiality and boundaries at all times.
• Contribute to the production of statistical data through robust case management and evidence-based tools for measuring and supporting change.
• Perform other relevant tasks commensurate with the post as required.

Essential Role Requirements and Quality Standards

• A qualification of N/SVQ3 in Care, or equivalent, or the willingness and ability to attain this qualification.
• Literacy, numeracy, and IT skills sufficient to maintain all appropriate records, report writing, and support plans.
• Experience in a social care, trauma-informed environment in a voluntary or paid capacity.
• Understanding of social issues such as homelessness, mental health, substance use, and relevant legislation/practice.
• Register with the Scottish Social Services Council and adhere to all relevant legislation, standards, service delivery, impact reporting frameworks, and regulatory requirements.
• Willingness to develop skills through reflective practice, personal and professional development, and supervision.

Systems

• Inform/Outcome Star: Professional recording and maintenance of records related to survivors' case management and journey of change.
• CareSkills: Organisational and service-specific training.
• Microsoft 365: Word, Excel, Email, SharePoint, Teams.

Aims, Values, and Behaviours

• Respect and work in accordance with the core values and behaviours of the organisation.
• Promote and adhere to our Equality and Diversity Policy in daily work.
• Take care of your own health and safety and that of others affected by your actions at work.
• Cooperate with employers and coworkers to meet legal requirements.
• Raise any specific queries or concerns regarding your workplace with your line manager or health and safety representative.

Key Capabilities

• Interpersonal understanding - listens and understands expressed feelings; demonstrates concern for others; encourages others to express themselves.
• Emotional awareness - manages strong emotions and responds constructively; keeps own feelings in check; deals with stress.
• Flexibility - adapts easily to changes at work; modifies behaviour in response to a situation; sees the merits of differing viewpoints.
• Initiative - takes responsibility; looks ahead and anticipates what needs to be done; is able to assess and manage risks.
• Team working - contributes fully to teamwork; establishes positive relationships with the team.
• Working within Professional Boundaries - Demonstrates professional curiosity; accepts responsibility for own work; seeks and uses professional support; understands the principle of confidentiality.
• Developing others - case management responsibility for developing service users' skills; encourages initiatives.

Circumstances

• Able to work unsocial hours (where applicable).
• Driving/clean licence (desirable).