Independent Domestic Violence Advocate

TN United Kingdom; Brighton; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established charity is seeking an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate to support survivors of domestic abuse in Brighton. This hybrid role involves working closely with clients to provide trauma-informed care, conduct risk assessments, and develop safety plans. The position offers a competitive benefits package, including flexible working options and ongoing training opportunities. If you are passionate about making a difference and have the resilience to support vulnerable individuals, this role could be your next career step.

Benefits

Flexible working options

28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays

Pension with 5% employer contribution

Enhanced sick pay allowances

High Street discounts

Employee assistance programme

Cycle to work scheme

Ongoing training and support

Qualifications

• Understanding of domestic abuse issues and legal responsibilities.
• Experience in delivering services to vulnerable people.

Responsibilities

• Support survivors by conducting needs and risk assessments.
• Empower clients to identify features of domestic abuse.
• Participate in Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences.

Skills

Trauma-informed support

Risk assessment

Safety planning

Multi-agency collaboration

Client advocacy

Organizational skills

Training delivery

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Job description

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Independent Domestic Violence Advocate, Brighton

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Client:

Location:

Brighton, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Construction

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

6f58e82e2639

Job Views:

2

Posted:

26.04.2025

Expiry Date:

10.06.2025

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Job Description:

We have an exciting opportunity for an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) to join the Domestic Abuse Specialist Service. They will be supporting survivors of domestic abuse in partnership with the Sussex High Harm Perpetrator Programme. This role is full time working 37.5 hours per week on a fixed term contract until 31st March 2026. The role is offered on a hybrid basis, working between home, our office in Brighton, and community locations throughout East Sussex and Brighton & Hove.

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 trauma-informed support 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
* 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 33 days plus Bank Holidays
* An extra day off for your birthday & options to buy or sell annual leave
* Pension with 5% employer contribution
* Enhanced sick pay allowances, maternity & paternity payments
* High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment & leisure discounts
* Access to our financial wellbeing hub & salary deducted finance
* Employee assistance programme & wellbeing support
* Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes
* Cycle to work scheme & season ticket loans
* Ongoing training & support with opportunities for career development & progression

About the role:

This hybrid role includes a combination of home, office and community-based working. You will meet regularly with clients at safe locations of their choosing. There will be travel requirements across East Sussex and Brighton & Hove.

As an IDVA you will:

• Empower survivors, supporting them to identify features and dynamics of domestic abuse
• Work with clients referred to the DASS by the High Harm Perpetrator Programme, holding a caseload of varying complexity and prioritising high risk cases for support.
• Conduct comprehensive needs and risk assessments
• Provide individualized safety and support plans, advocacy, practical support and information
• Participate in the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC), acting as the voice of the survivor and delivering on actions agreed
• Use a person-centred, survivor-focused approach, being mindful of the effects of trauma and additional barriers to access survivors of domestic abuse may experience
• Attend the monthly High Harm Panel and other mandatory conferences (including contributing to the Multi-Agency Tasking and Coordination process where applicable), representing the voice of the survivor and sharing relevant information with key agencies to reduce risk and increase safety
• Assist in delivering training, and provide consultancy and advice to other agencies as required

You will need

:
• An understanding of the issues faced by survivors experiencing domestic abuse
• A good understanding of risk assessment, safety planning & risk management for survivors of domestic abuse
• An understanding of safeguarding issues & the legal responsibilities surrounding these
• Experience of delivering services to survivors of domestic abuse and/or other vulnerable people
• Experience of working within a multi-agency and legislative framework, including building relationships with statutory and voluntary service providers
• Experience of managing a complex caseload, prioritising work and dealing with competing demands demonstrating an organised and methodical approach to work
• Ability to deliver indvidualised safety and support plans, demonstrating sufficient knowledge of risk reduction regarding harmful practices and modern slavery
• Ability to deliver training sessions to professional agencies
• Understanding and knowledge of and active commitment to promoting equal opportunities and diversity
• Ability to self-reflect, identify own welfare needs, and put in place effective self-care strategies
• Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

About Us:
Victim Support (VS) is an independent charity providing a range of specialist services to people who have been affected by crime across England and Wales. We work towards a world where there are fewer victims but who have stronger rights, better support and a real influence in the Criminal Justice System. Everyone at VS is driven by our Vision Ambitions and Values to play their part in making a difference for those who experience crime and traumatic events. Working for VS gives you the opportunity to play a key role in a national charity providing high quality services to victims and witnesses and being a vital force for change.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

Victim Support strives to represent the diverse communities we serve and are passionate about creating an environment where all staff and volunteers feel respected and heard. Being a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture is integral to us being able to meet our aim of ensuring that anyone who is a victim of crime gets the support they need.

As part of our commitment to the Race at Work Charter we particularly welcome applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. VS is also a Disability Confident Employer and we provide a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates that are disabled and meet all essential criteria for a role.

If you have a disability, a learning difficulty such as dyslexia or a medical condition which you believe may affect your performance during any aspect of our selection process, we'll be happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to perform at your best.

How to apply:

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We look forward to hearing from you.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date.

If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.