Independent Domestic Violence Advocate

Victim Support; City Of London; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 20,000; Part time

Job summary

A charity focused on supporting victims of crime is seeking a part-time Independent Domestic Violence Advocate to join the team in Merton. This role offers hybrid working and involves providing essential support to victims of domestic abuse aged 16 and above. The ideal candidate should have experience in direct service delivery and excellent communication skills. This position is integral to ensuring the safety and well-being of domestic violence victims.

Benefits

Flexible working options

28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays

Pension with 5% employer contribution

Enhanced sick pay and support

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Knowledge of help-seeking barriers for victims of domestic abuse.
• Understanding of risk assessment and safety planning.
• Experience in direct service delivery to vulnerable people.

Responsibilities

• Implement effective strategies to increase safety for victims.
• Provide front-line support prioritizing victims based on risk.
• Collaborate with multi-agency frameworks for victim safety.

Skills

Communication skills

Crisis management

Advocacy skills

Negotiation skills

Understanding of domestic abuse

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a part‑time Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) to join the team in Merton, working 18.75 hours a week as a job share opportunity. This role involves both face to face and virtual support in a hybrid model of working, you will work from home and Victim Support Office at Merton Civic Centre.

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?

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 role is based in the London borough of Merton.

As an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate 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, delivering a premium service prioritised according to risk, primarily focusing on victim/survivors aged 16+.
• Work within a multi‑agency framework consisting of the MARAC and local partnership responses to domestic abuse to keep safety central to all services for victims of domestic abuse.

You will need:

• Have a knowledge of help‑seeking barriers and support needs of victims of domestic abuse (in heterosexual or same‑sex relationships).
• Have a good understanding of domestic abuse including the impact of domestic abuse on victims and their children.
• Understand the principles of risk assessment, safety planning and risk management for victims of domestic abuse and their children.
• Understand safeguarding issues, and the legal responsibilities surrounding these issues.
• Direct service delivery to victims of domestic abuse or other vulnerable people.
• Have excellent communication, negotiation and advocacy skills, both written and verbal when interacting with a range of agencies and individuals. Understand and be committed to equal opportunities and diversity issues in policy and practice.
• Have strong crisis management skills and the ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

About Us:

Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences.

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.

At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we offer a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the selection process.

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 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.