IDVA

First Light; Devon and Torbay; Vor Ort; GBP 26.000 - 28.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Hybrid working policy

Wellbeing day

External supervision

Wellbeing resources

Employee Assistance Programme

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Disability Confident Committed

Annual pay review and pension

Zusammenfassung

First Light in Plymouth seeks an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) to deliver proactive, trauma-informed support to adults experiencing high-risk domestic abuse. You will assess risk, develop safety plans, and provide advocacy across housing, health, legal and financial needs.

The role involves community outreach, collaboration with MARAC and partner agencies, and managing a complex caseload to keep victims safe and empowered on their path to recovery.

Qualifikationen

• Literacy skills and experience working with databases.
• SafeLives IDVA training certificate, or a relevant degree, or demonstrable equivalent experience, or vocational qualification.
• Experience supporting victims of domestic abuse, or working with vulnerable people.
• Understanding the impact of domestic abuse on victims and their children.
• Knowledge of safeguarding issues and legal responsibilities.
• Understanding risk assessment, safety planning and risk management for victims and their children.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and advisory skills with agencies and individuals.
• Handling confidential and sensitive information appropriately.

Aufgaben

• Provide proactive, high-risk domestic abuse support to keep victims and families safe.
• Complete risk assessments and create individualised safety plans.
• Provide advocacy, emotional, practical support and information across housing, health, legal and financial areas.
• Deliver support in the community with essential face-to-face outreach.
• Prioritise and manage daily referrals and ensure timely first contact.
• Participate in MARAC meetings and follow up on actions.

Jobbeschreibung

IDVA

Location: Plymouth

Salary: £25,954 per annum rising to £26,364 per annum on successful completion of probation and £28,002 per annum after accreditation.

Vacancy Type: Permanent, 37.5 hours per week

Closing Date: 4th of December 2026

The Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) role will deliver a proactive, person-centred and trauma-informed support service to adults experiencing high-risk domestic abuse in all its forms. The role focuses on keeping victims and their families safe through support intervention, comprehensive safety planning, and coordinated multi-agency responses.

The post holder will provide a premium service to those assessed as being at the highest risk, working assertively and flexibly to engage clients, including completing face-to-face outreach in community settings and their homes where required. Clients may present with complex and multiple needs, including substance misuse, mental and physical health issues, learning needs, criminal justice involvement, and other vulnerabilities.

The IDVA will work proactively within multi-agency forums, including MARAC, to assess risk, share information, and develop robust safety and support plans. Strong advocacy and partnership-working skills are essential to ensure victims are supported to access statutory and voluntary services appropriate to their risks and needs.

The role requires a highly motivated and adaptable individual who can work unsupervised on a day-to-day basis, effectively prioritising and managing a complex caseload while maintaining a strong focus on victim safety, empowerment, and recovery.

Key responsibilities:

• To provide a pro-active service to those experiencing high risk domestic abuse to keep them and their families safe, including access to support for the abusive person.
• To complete person-centred individualised risk assessments and support plans to reduce risk and identify individual needs. To deliver appropriate support in keeping with the results.
• To provide advocacy, emotional, practical support and information to victims to address identified risks and needs including safety planning, housing and security, online safety, separation and post separation, children, health and wellbeing, legal, financial and any other additional support needs identified.
• To deliver support in the community, essential face to face support in the environment which best suits the client.
• To manage, support and prioritise daily referrals received, ensuring timescales are met in respect of first contact.
• To participate in the MARAC framework including:
  • Referring High risk victims to MARAC
  • Attending and participating in MARAC meetings
  • Following up on actions agreed in MARAC
  • Receiving referrals direct from MARAC
• To ensure, through liaison with both the client and partner agencies, that clients receive the support they require and to which they are entitled.

Essential requirements:

• Literacy skills and experience working with databases
• Hold a SafeLives IDVA training certificate, or a relevant degree, or demonstrable equivalent experience, or vocational qualification
• Supporting victims of domestic abuse, or working with vulnerable people
• Have a good understanding of the impact of domestic abuse on victims and their children.
• Understand safeguarding issues (children and vulnerable adults) and the legal responsibilities surrounding these issues.
• Understanding the principles of risk assessment, safety planning and risk management for victims of domestic abuse and their children
• Have excellent communication, negotiation and advisory skills, both written and verbal when interacting with a range of agencies and individuals
• Handling confidential and sensitive information appropriately
• Understand and be committed to equal opportunities and diversity issues in policy and practice

Added benefits:

• A comprehensive induction and training programme, with a hybrid working policy for a better work/life balance.
• A wellbeing day per financial year (1st April to 31st March)
• Access to external supervision to discuss personal or emotional responses to traumatic cases, to ensure emotional and psychological wellbeing.
• Health and wellbeing resources including our staff Wellbeing Group, Staff Consultation Committee and active participation in our employee engagement platform.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme which includes a 24/7 telephone helpline offering medical, emotional and financial support.
• Working for an organisation committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We encourage applications from all sections of the community, and all backgrounds regardless of age, race, faith, disability, neurodiversities, genders, gender expression or sexuality.
• First Light are a Disability Confident Committed Employer.
• Annual pay review and employer contribution pension scheme.