Female* Rural IDVA

Next Link; Bristol; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading domestic abuse service provider is seeking a Female Rural Independent Domestic Violence Advisor in South Gloucestershire. This role involves outreach and community support for domestic abuse victims, focusing on safety and recovery. Candidates should have experience in support planning and an understanding of the impact of domestic abuse. The position offers a full-time fixed-term contract with a competitive salary and various benefits.

Benefits

3 extra holidays including International Women’s Day

Excellent development and training opportunities

Employer pension contribution (minimum 5% of salary)

Mindful Employer Plus Scheme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Long Service Awards

Health and wellbeing programme

Qualifications

• Understanding of the impact of domestic abuse on women, men and children.
• Knowledge of the safety options available to survivors experiencing domestic abuse.
• Experience of support planning and risk assessment.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain support to survivors and their children.
• Provide support to help survivors maintain their accommodation.
• Co-deliver Survivor programmes and Peer Support group activities.

Skills

Understanding of domestic abuse impact

Knowledge of safety options for survivors

Support planning and risk assessment

Assessing risks and needs of vulnerable people

Experience with police and community organizations

Understanding of cultural diversity

Full driving license and transport access

Job description

Overview

We have a rewarding opportunity available for a Female Rural Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) to join our team based in South Gloucestershire. You will join us on a full-time, Fixed Term Contract to 31st March 2026 working 37.5 hours per week with some additional evening and Saturday work on a rota basis. In return, you will receive a competitive salary of £28,598 (unqualified) or £30,024 (qualified) per annum plus benefits.

Established in 1999, Next Link is the leading provider of domestic abuse services to women and children in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. At Next Link we are committed to providing holistic, empowering and personalised support and advocacy to women and children experiencing domestic abuse. With a focus on survivor’s safety and recovery; we believe the provision of flexible support tailored to survivor’s needs can be transforming, helping to maximise independence and self-determination so survivors can make informed choices.

Benefits

In return for joining us, we will offer you the following fantastic benefits:

• 3 extra holidays including International Women’s Day
• Excellent development and training opportunities
• Employer pension contribution (minimum 5% of your gross salary)
• Mindful Employer Plus Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Long Service Awards
• Health and wellbeing programme

About the role

This post will be based within Next Link Domestic abuse services providing outreach, and community-based support to high risk victims of domestic abuse across South Gloucestershire.

Working across Next Link with victims in rural areas of South Gloucestershire and in close partnership working with Lighthouse, MARAC, DRIVE and rural agencies to provide a coordinated package of emotional and practical support, advice and advocacy to female or male survivors of domestic violence and their children.

The role involves empowering survivors to increase their options, make positive choices/decisions, increase their confidence, safety and recovery.

Key duties and responsibilities of our Female Rural Independent Domestic Violence Advisor:

• To establish and maintain support to survivors and their children, with a victim centred approach, focusing on safety and recovery
• Providing support to enable survivors to safely maintain their current accommodation, access welfare benefits, legal advice alternative housing, and support services.
• Maintain an effective support service with the aim of enabling the survivor and her children to develop the skills and resources necessary to move on and maintain independence and self-reliance.
• Co deliver Survivor programmes (e.g. Freedom Programme) and Peer Support group work activities
• Provide training to professionals that work across rural communities
• Champion service user empowerment and involvement
• To liaise effectively and collaboratively with all appropriate agencies and community groups to ensure the best access to services and meaningful community engagement for service users

This is not an exhaustive list of your duties and outlines the general ways in which it is expected you will meet the overall requirements of this post.

What we are looking for in our ideal Female Rural Independent Domestic Violence Advisor

• An understanding of the impact of domestic abuse on women, men and children
• Knowledge of the safety options available to survivors experiencing domestic abuse
• Experience of support planning and risk assessment
• Experience of assessing the risks and needs of vulnerable people who have experienced domestic abuse and/or complex needs
• Experience working with the police, Lighthouse, MARAC and DRIVE
• An understanding of cultural diversity
• A full driving licence and access to transport

If you are motivated, resourceful and passionate about empowering female victims of domestic abuse, please apply now to join us as our IDVA and contribute to the valuable work Next Link and its wider services, delivering hope and support to survivors of domestic violence and abuse.

How to apply

Pleasedownload the application pack from our website and complete the application form. Please submit your application by 9am on Friday 10th October 2025. Please do not send CVs. Interviews will be held on Tuesday 21st October 2025.