Independent Domestic Violence Advocate

Victim Support; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Working Options

Generous Annual Leave

Birthday Leave

Pension Plan

Enhanced Allowances

Exclusive Discounts

Financial Wellbeing

Wellbeing Support

Inclusive Networks

Sustainable Travel

Career Development

Job summary

Victim Support in London is seeking an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) for the DRIVE team. The role blends face‑to‑face and virtual support in a hybrid working model, focusing on victims aged 16+. You’ll deliver frontline services, risk-focused advocacy and multi‑agency collaboration to improve safety.

The role requires knowledge of domestic and sexual abuse, safeguarding, and crisis management, with strong communication and negotiation skills to influence service delivery.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication with victims and agencies.
• Strong understanding of domestic and sexual abuse dynamics.
• Experience in risk assessment, safety planning and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Deliver frontline support to victims of domestic and sexual abuse.
• Work within a multi-agency framework including MARAC.
• Provide high-quality advocacy and casework with a focus on safety.

Skills

Communication

Risk assessment

Advocacy

Crisis management

Negotiation

Diversity & equal opportunities

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate to join the DRIVE team in London, working 37.5 hours a week.

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.
• Generous Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
• Birthday Leave: An extra day off for your birthday
• Pension Plan: 5% employer contribution.
• Enhanced Allowances: Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
• Exclusive Discounts: High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
• Financial Wellbeing: Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary-deducted finance.
• Wellbeing Support: Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
• Inclusive Networks: Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
• Sustainable Travel: Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
• Career Development: Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career progression.

About the Role

You may be a qualified IDVA or a Domestic Abuse Outreach Worker wanting to work alongside professionals in a multi-agency environment, although we will consider applicants from other fields providing you are able to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of both domestic and sexual violence.

This role involves both face to face and virtual support in a hybrid model of working. There is an expectation that you will do a mixture of working from home & attend our office in Singer Street.

As a DRIVE 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 and sexual 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 and sexual abuse to keep safety central to all services for victims of domestic and sexual abuse.
• Have excellent communication skills, a proactive approach and the confidence to be able to influence the way in which this service is delivered are key.

You will need to:

• Have a knowledge of help‑seeking barriers and support needs of victims of domestic and sexual abuse (in heterosexual or same‑sex relationships).
• Have a good understanding of domestic and sexual abuse including the impact of abuse on victims and their children.
• Understand the principles of risk assessment, safety planning and risk management for victims of domestic and sexual abuse and their children.
• Understand safeguarding issues, and the legal responsibilities surrounding these issues.
• Experience of direct service delivery to victims of domestic and sexual abuse or other vulnerable people.
• Have strong 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 a 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 will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.