Children’s Domestic Violence Advocate (CHIDVA)
Location: Bury
Salary: £30,200
Contract Type: Permanent
Please note, this is an on-site role only. Due to the nature of our Refuges and Outreach services, it is essential that our teams are present and accessible, enabling us to provide safe, responsive and high-quality support to those who need us most.
This post is open to women only as permitted under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
About Safenet
We provide domestic abuse services across the Northwest of England, including refuges for women and children, safe houses for men, community support, and extra support for those facing addiction, mental health, or other issues.
We understand the serious impact domestic abuse can have, especially on health and wellbeing, and provide support and guidance to help survivors live safely and securely.
Safenet is part of the Calico Group. Here’s what makes The Calico Group unique: each of our specialist companies collaborates and innovates together to have a greater impact than they could alone.
Our shared vision, flexible group structure, and expanding range of services help us adapt to the fast-changing environment and times in which we work.
“A future where everyone can live safe, happy and healthy lives free from abuse, violence and exploitation in their homes, streets and communities.”
About the role
As a Children’s Domestic Violence Advocate (CHIDVA), you will safeguard and support children and young people affected by domestic abuse across the Continuum of Need, including Child Protection. You will deliver child-centred 1:1 and group interventions, complete child-focused risk assessments and safety plans, and ensure children and young people’s voices shape the support they receive. Working with partner agencies (including through MARAC), you will contribute to coordinated responses that improve safety, wellbeing and long-term resilience.
For further information about the role, please visit the Role Profile.
What we are looking for
We welcome applicants from a range of relevant backgrounds; direct refuge experience is not essential, but you do need to bring credibility, confidence and compassion from related fields.
You might come from:
- Substance misuse or addiction recovery services
- Trauma‑informed women’s services
- Mental health or psychologically informed environments (PIE)
- Housing or supported accommodation with complex needs
You will bring:
We believe in recruiting for potential as well as experience. Our ideal candidate will have:
Essential
- SafeLives CHIDVA qualification (or working towards) and/or a relevant children and young people qualification (or working towards).
- Experience supporting children and young people affected by domestic abuse, trauma or adversity.
- Experience managing a caseload and delivering consistent, high-quality support to children, young people and families.
- Experience working in multi-agency settings (e.g., social care, education, health, criminal justice).
- Strong safeguarding knowledge (including Children Acts 1989/2004 and Domestic Abuse Act 2021) and confidence escalating concerns.
- Ability to build trust and communicate effectively with children/young people and professionals, adapting to age and need.
- Strong record-keeping skills and a commitment to confidentiality and data protection.
- Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, including anti-racist and intersectional practice.
Desirable
- Women’s Aid or Respect accredited training (e.g., DAPA) and/or Paladin Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworker (ISAC).
- Level 4 Diploma in Domestic Abuse; DASH risk assessment; trauma-informed care training.
- Experience supporting children and young people with complex needs (including self-harm or suicidal ideation) and knowledge of referral pathways.
- Knowledge of culturally specific forms of abuse and barriers to access for ethnic minority and migrant survivors (e.g., HBV, FGM).
Essential Core Skills
Health & Safety Awareness
All our employees are required to work in a safe way, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and keep themselves, other colleagues and customers safe. You will be expected to update your knowledge and skills on Health & Safety if successful in your application.
Safeguarding
We work with adults and children who may be ‘at risk’ and expect colleagues to work in a way which protects the people we support from harm. Our colleagues are expected to identify people ‘at risk’ and confidently report any Safeguarding concerns as appropriate within the service.
Digital
Across our services, we use a range of technology and systems and expect colleagues to use them effectively and safely following cybersecurity and data protection principles (UK GDPR). Full training on specific systems is provided but a willingness to learn and develop is essential.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
The Calico Group welcomes diversity and champions the rights of those in society who may be marginalised. Our employees are expected to be inclusive, embracing those from different backgrounds to develop a fairer society.
If you share our values and are ready to grow through continuous learning, development, and the support of a dedicated team, we want to hear from you!
What’s in It for You?
At The Calico Group, we value our people and offer a supportive, inclusive culture alongside fantastic benefits:
- Bravo Benefits – Exclusive discounts at popular high street brands including many retailers and restaurants.
- Westfield Health – Our company funded cash plan, with access to a Doctor 24/7 – for you and your dependents.
- Mental Health Support – Access emotional and mental well-being services through Spectrum.
- Cycle to Work Scheme – Save on commuting costs while staying active.
- Pension Options – with employer pension contributions.
- Life Assurance – Peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
- Financial Advice – Expert guidance to help manage your finances.
- Recognition Awards – Celebrate your achievements with our recognition programs.
- Meaningful learning and development programmes with regular focus on your individual growth.
- Gym Membership Discounts – Stay fit with local gym access.
- One Calico Events – Connect and unwind at our employee social gatherings.
- Paid Professional Fees – We’ll cover the cost of professional subscriptions so you can continue growing your career.
And much more! We also offer enhanced holidays, sickness, maternity, and paternity options, ensuring you feel supported when you need it most.
How to Apply
Click Apply Now to complete your application online. Applications close on 24/07/2026
We can’t wait to welcome you to our team!
This post is open to women only as permitted under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
SafeNet is working towards Equal Opportunities for all and actively encourages applications from disabled, ethnic minority and LBGTQI+ women who are under-represented. SafeNet is a Registered Charity No. 1091544 and a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 3860803.
Inclusive Hiring at Calico
We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and can thrive. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process or would like to discuss accessibility, please let us know.
Our Commitment to Safeguarding
The Calico Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our customers employees, and volunteers. Successful candidates will be subject to a DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service) and appropriate pre-employment checks in line with our safeguarding policies.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Join Citizens Advice Richmond as an Advice Session Supervisor
Citizens Advice Richmond, a local charity with over 85 years’ experience delivering free, independent and impartial advice, is seeking an experienced Advice Session Supervisor to join our team. This role is the backbone of our service quality: you’ll mentor and support our paid and volunteer advisers, champion quality, and help ensure clients across the borough receive the life-changing advice they need.
You will manage and supervise advice sessions across all channels – face-to-face, telephone and email – supporting advisers and assessors, carrying out quality assurance and independent file reviews, identifying training needs and keeping advice knowledge up to date. The role combines leadership, quality assurance and hands-on advice work within a friendly, diverse team.
The Opportunity: Why This Role Matters
This is an exciting opportunity to join our dedicated team as an Advice Session Supervisor. This role is the backbone of our service quality. You won’t just be managing sessions; you will be a mentor, a quality champion, and a key support for our passionate team of paid and volunteer advisers who are on the frontline of helping our community.
Working within a collaborative team of supervisors, you will ensure the advice we provide across all channels—face-to-face, telephone, and email—is of the highest standard. This is a role with real impact, where your guidance directly helps individuals develop their skills and ensures our clients receive the life-changing support they need.
For more information and how to apply, please see the job pack attached.
What We Offer
- Annual leave of 28 days per year
- A pension contribution scheme
- Flexibility, with hybrid working arrangements considered depending on service needs.
- A strong commitment to your professional development, with ongoing training opportunities
- A positive and supportive working environment in a friendly and diverse team
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Legal Casework
- Work closely with the Public Law Supervisor, Director of Legal Casework and Asylum Aid Executive Director to develop a public law caseload and drive change through strategic litigation;
- Provide legal advice and representation to clients on asylum and human rights claims, and on judicial review challenges pertaining to asylum and immigration matters and the treatment of asylum seekers and other migrants;
- Identify common problems and issues from the wider team’s caseload which are suitable for strategic challenges;
- Contribute to internal strategy discussions
- Attend external meetings on behalf of AA and contribute to strategy discussions within the wider sector
- Where appropriate, apply for LAA Case Funding through the CCMS, obtain appropriate costs and scope extensions, and submit claims for payment;
- Ensure that legal aid and other income is maximised, and targets are achieved;
- Maintain client files and records in line with file management procedures;
- Provide technical supervision and training in judicial review procedure to other staff where necessary.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The first stage is to complete on our online application form on our website by 9am on Monday 27th July 2026
The website form will ask you to:
- Upload a short covering letter. Please tell us why the position appeals to you, and how your
relevant skills and experience, including any voluntary experience and lived experience, matches the listed responsibilities and person specification. Please also state in your covering letter when you would be available to start the role.
- Upload your current CV
- Complete an online Equal Opportunities monitoring form – completion of this form will help us ensure that our recruitment procedures operate in such a way as to provide genuine equality of opportunity. The questions are entirely optional, and this information will not be available to members of the selection panel.
SELECTION PROCESS
We will invite candidates to an initial 15-minute online screening meeting week on 3rd, 4th or 5th August followed by shortlisted candidates attending in-person interview at our office in Old Street on 10, 11th or 12th August. We will also ask you to complete a short exercise on the day.
At Asylum Aid we want to be transparent about what kind of qualities we are looking for and build trust from the very beginning of your journey with us. The first step is your interview, and we mean ‘your’ interview so we will provide you with your interview questions ahead of the interview. This will allow you time to prepare, and ensure you have your best examples in mind. We will also ask you some questions which you will not have prepared.
We offer a guaranteed interview for refugees, stateless people and others with lived experience of forced migration, provided that they meet at least 50% of the essential criteria, where practical.
EXPERTS BY EXPERIENCE SUPPORT
We are also proud to be a member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network which aims to increase representation of people with lived experience in the charitable sector.
If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network and access other information and resources. You can also request 121 interview mentoring ahead of your interview from them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.