Children & Young People’s IDVA: Safeguarding Advocate

The Dash Charity; Maidenhead; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

The Dash Charity in Maidenhead is seeking a Children & Young Person’s IDVA under the A&O Services Manager to assess and intervene in cases involving domestic abuse, safeguarding, and child welfare, in line with The Children Act and EYFS principles.

You will manage up to 15 cases, liaise with families and professionals, deliver age‑appropriate therapeutic sessions, maintain case files and risk assessments, and participate in multi‑agency safeguarding panels.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a childcare setting.
• Understanding of basic stages of child development and attachment theory.
• Knowledge of the impact of Domestic Abuse on children as victims in their own right.
• Understanding of child protection issues and legal responsibilities.
• Understanding of the principles of risk assessment and safety planning.
• Understanding of, and commitment to, equal opportunities in practice.

Responsibilities

• Have a full understanding of relevant legislation surrounding domestic abuse, the impact on children and young people and be well educated on current initiatives set by the government to combat this.
• Respond to referrals for children and young people requiring a high level of support due to domestic abuse and be able apply a clear framework for assessment and intervention.
• Implement a needs led assessment for all referred cases to include a support plan, safety plan and risk assessment tailored around individual need.
• Use the Safelives DASH Risk Identification Checklist to identify risk management required.
• Complete therapeutic direct work sessions with referred children and young people following the support plan.
• Manage a caseload of up to 15 children and young people.
• Liaise with families, carers, groups and professionals who refer into the service and subsequently follow the intervention and assessment procedures accordingly.
• Participate and present cases at relevant children and young people’s panels and boards.
• Work closely with The Dash Charity Advocacy & Outreach Team to identify referral routes.
• Work under a multi-agency framework linking in with police, social services, mental health and housing as appropriate.
• Work creatively with children and young people in promoting their life chances through case management and encourage social and personal development.
• To embrace Early Years Foundation (EYFS) with Safeguarding, health & wellbeing and personal development.
• Ensure safety planning is integral to all work completed with cases.
• Ensure all administration work is upheld in relation to case files; reports, support plans and risk assessments.
• Sign post and refer cases on as appropriate and relevant to the child or young persons needs.
• Consult with parents, children and young people about the planned intervention and make changes where appropriate.
• 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.
• Embrace diversity, value difference, expertise and experiences of each child and young person so they are encouraged to interact positively with confidence and trust.
• Understand and manage the complex behaviours children and young people can display due to the abuse they have been subjected to.
• To contribute to the achievements of standards of excellence in childcare practice.
• To operate within clear professional and confidentiality boundaries and to work within The Dash Charity’s codes of conduct.
• Report any concerns, signs and symptoms of abuse to the A&O Services Manager whilst adhering to confidentiality/information procedures in relation to safeguarding children.
• Record and maintain outcomes work, review work and feedback from service users.
• Attend training as required for the role.
• Adhere to all The Dash Charity’s safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Provide ad hoc support to the charity, assisting with events, projects or operational needs as required

Skills

Non-judgemental attitude

Good communication skills

Professional boundaries

Computer literate

Partnership working

Job description

The Dash Charity in Maidenhead is seeking a Children & Young Person’s IDVA under the A&O Services Manager to assess and intervene in cases involving domestic abuse, safeguarding, and child welfare, in line with The Children Act and EYFS principles.

You will manage up to 15 cases, liaise with families and professionals, deliver age‑appropriate therapeutic sessions, maintain case files and risk assessments, and participate in multi‑agency safeguarding panels.