Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate

Victim Support; London; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Victim Support is seeking an Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate in London to provide vital support to domestic abuse victims. This full-time position involves direct client interaction, crisis management, and collaboration with multiple agencies to enhance safety and promote legal justice for victims. Candidates should possess strong advocacy skills and the ability to assess risk effectively.

Benefits

Flexible working options including hybrid working

25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays

Extra day off for your birthday

£500 bonus after successful probation

Pension with 5% employer contribution

Enhanced sick pay and maternity payments

Discounts on high street and retail

Financial wellbeing support and salary deduction finance

Employee assistance and wellbeing programs

Training and career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Knowledge of domestic abuse victims' barriers and support needs.
• Understanding of legal responsibilities related to domestic abuse.

Responsibilities

• Implement effective working methods to enhance safety and reduce harm.
• Provide frontline services to victims, prioritizing based on risk.
• Collaborate within multi-agency frameworks like MARAC.

Skills

Risk assessment

Crisis management

Communication

Negotiation

Advocacy

Job description

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Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate, London

County/Borough: Hackney

Office location: Old Street

Full time/Part time: Full time

Hours per week: 37.5 hours

Work schedule: Monday to Friday 9-5pm with some flexibility

Basic Salary: Qualified - £28,050 per annum plus £2,800 London Weighting Allowance; Unqualified - £26,010 per annum plus £2,800 London Weighting Allowance

Contract type: Permanent

DBS required: Yes

Police vetting required: No

Closing Date: 13/11/2024

Ref No: 5836

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for an IDVA to join our team in London, working 37.5 hours a week. This role is co-located in Homerton Hospital, Hackney.

Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it? Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care? If yes, then we’d love to hear from you…

What we offer

At Victim Support, we believe in attracting & retaining the best people and offer a competitive rewards & benefits package including:

• Flexible working options including hybrid working
• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 30 days plus Bank Holidays
• An extra day off for your Birthday
• £500 bonus paid on successful completion of probationary period (pro-rata for part-time roles)
• Pension with 5% employer contribution
• Enhanced sick pay allowances & maternity payments
• High Street, retail, holiday, entertainment & leisure discounts
• Access to our financial wellbeing hub & salary deducted finance
• Employee assistance program & wellbeing support
• Ongoing training & support with opportunities for career development & progression

About the role

This role will be part of our IDVA team in the London Victim and Witness Service, supporting clients through the co-location at the hospital liaising directly with departments such as ED, Safeguarding, Maternity, as well as supporting through the criminal justice system. You will work in partnership with other agencies to increase domestic abuse prosecutions.

As an IDVA, you will:

• Implement effective ways of working with victims and those supporting them to increase safety and reduce harm.
• Provide a high-quality, front-line service to victims of domestic abuse, prioritising according to risk, primarily focusing on victim/survivors aged 16+
• Work within a multi-agency framework including MARAC and local partnership responses to domestic abuse, keeping safety central to all services for victims.

You will need

• Knowledge of help-seeking barriers and support needs of victims of domestic abuse (heterosexual or same-sex relationships).
• Good understanding of domestic abuse, its impact on victims and children.
• Understanding of risk assessment, safety planning, and risk management principles.
• Awareness of safeguarding issues and legal responsibilities.
• Experience in direct service delivery to victims or vulnerable people.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills, written and verbal.
• Commitment to equal opportunities and diversity.
• Strong crisis management skills and ability to handle stressful situations.