5 Criminal justice recovery practitioner jobs

We have an exciting opportunity to join Birmingham's brand-new Family IDVA Service and help shape the future of domestic abuse support for families across the city.

These Family IDVA positions are permanent and full-time roles (37.5 hours per week). As part of this innovative new service, you'll be based within one of Birmingham's 10 Family Hubs, providing specialist support to non-abusive parents and their children who have experienced domestic abuse. Working as a Family IDVA, you will combine expert risk assessment, safety planning and advocacy with a whole-family, child-centred approach that helps families stay safe, recover and thrive.

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a service from the very beginning. You will help establish a new way of working that brings specialist domestic abuse support closer to families and ensures they can access the right help at the earliest opportunity.

Whether you are an experienced IDVA looking for a new challenge or a skilled domestic abuse practitioner ready to further develop your specialist knowledge and impact, this role offers the chance to work alongside dedicated colleagues and partners to make a meaningful difference every day.

You will also play a key role in building awareness and understanding of domestic abuse across Birmingham, delivering training and guidance to professionals working in Early Help, education, health and community settings.

Are you passionate about supporting families affected by domestic abuse and committed to helping children and parents build safer futures?

If so, 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

We are looking for passionate and dedicated Family Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs) to join Birmingham's new Family IDVA Service. With multiple roles available, this is an exciting opportunity to be part of an innovative city-wide service from the very beginning, helping to improve outcomes for parents and their children who have experienced domestic abuse.

Each Family IDVA will be based within one of Birmingham's 10 Family Hubs, working as part of a multi-agency network to provide specialist domestic abuse support where families need it most. Combining core IDVA expertise with a strong whole-family and child-centred approach, you will work directly with parents aged 16+ and their children under 18, helping them to increase safety, reduce risk and begin their recovery journey.

As a Family IDVA, you will provide a flexible range of interventions tailored to the needs of each family. This may include risk assessment, safety planning, advocacy, practical and emotional support, support through criminal and civil justice processes, recovery-focused interventions, and helping families access wider services and opportunities. You will manage a varied caseload and work closely with partner agencies to ensure families receive the right support at the earliest opportunity, preventing escalation and reducing harm.

Alongside direct support, you will play an important role in strengthening the wider response to domestic abuse across Birmingham. You will deliver targeted training and awareness sessions to professionals within Early Help, education, health and community settings, helping to build confidence in identifying and responding to domestic abuse and ensuring families can access support sooner.

This is a rewarding opportunity for skilled domestic abuse practitioners who are committed to empowering families, championing the voices of children and young people, and making a lasting difference in their local communities.

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.

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.

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

We are looking for a compassionate, confident and experienced Liaison and Diversion Team Lead to provide day-to-day leadership for our Liaison and Diversion outreach team in Surrey.

Working in partnership with Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, you will support the delivery of high-quality, safe and effective services for vulnerable people who have come into contact with the criminal justice system. This is a varied and rewarding role, combining operational leadership, staff supervision, partnership working and a reduced caseload of complex and high-risk clients.

You will lead and support a team of practitioners, help manage service performance and quality, and work closely with health, social care, criminal justice and voluntary sector partners to improve outcomes for people experiencing mental health difficulties, substance misuse, homelessness, learning disabilities, neurodiversity and other complex needs.

We are looking for someone who can bring strong leadership skills, sound judgement, and a commitment to trauma-informed, recovery-focused and person-centred practice. In return, you will be part of an organisation that values Kindness, Integrity and Commitment, and is committed to improving health, wellbeing and life opportunities for people across Surrey.

Location: Frimley Park Hospital, Guildford
Salary: £32,680
Hours: 35 hours per week
Contract: type: Permanent

Key responsibilities:

Leadership and Operational Management

• Provide day-to-day leadership and operational oversight of the Liaison and Diversion team.
• Support the recruitment, induction and development of staff and volunteers.
• Conduct regular supervision, appraisal and performance reviews for team members.
• Support staff wellbeing and promote a positive, inclusive and psychologically safe working environment.
• Provide management cover and deputise for the Catalyst Senior Manager when required.
• Lead team meetings and case discussions.
• Support the implementation of organisational policies, procedures and best practice guidance.
• Monitor staffing capacity and workload allocation to ensure safe and effective service delivery.

Clinical and Case Management

• Hold a complex caseload requiring enhanced intervention, multi-agency coordination and risk management.
• Support staff in managing complex cases involving mental health difficulties, substance misuse, homelessness, learning disabilities, neurodiversity, safeguarding concerns and social vulnerability.
• Formulate support and risk management plans.
• Ensure safeguarding concerns are identified, escalated and managed in accordance with local safeguarding procedures.
• Support clients to access appropriate health, mental health, housing, welfare, treatment, recovery and community support services.
• Promote recovery-focused and trauma-informed practice across the service.
• Ensure service users are supported to engage effectively with criminal justice processes and community services

Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with Police, Courts, Probation, Youth Justice Services, NHS organisations, Local Authorities and voluntary sector partners.
• Represent Catalyst and the Liaison and Diversion Service at internal and external meetings.
• Promote integrated working across health, criminal justice and community services.
• Support the development of pathways that improve outcomes for vulnerable individuals.
• Facilitate joint working and information sharing arrangements in accordance with GDPR and information governance requirements.
• Act as a key contact for partner agencies and support the resolution of operational challenges

Service Development and Quality Improvement

• Support the Catalyst and SABP Service Managers in developing and improving service delivery.
• Contribute to service reviews and quality improvement projects.
• Identify gaps in local provision and support the development of new partnerships and initiatives.
• Promote innovation and evidence-based practice across the service.
• Participate in contract monitoring and performance reporting processes.
• Support the development of community resources that enhance recovery, diversion and social inclusion

Performance and Governance

• Monitor service activity and outcomes to ensure contractual and organisational requirements are achieved.
• Ensure accurate and timely recording of client information on case management systems
• Carrying out service audits, and following thought to ensure all requirements are met.
• Maintain compliance with information governance, confidentiality, safeguarding and data protection requirements.
• Prepare reports, performance information and outcome data as required.
• Ensure all team members maintain accurate case records and complete mandatory training requirements.
• Contribute to risk management and incident reporting processes

About the organisation

Through Community, Specialist and Outreach services, we support recovery, mental health, and wellbeing—together, every step of the way.

 About you

Essential:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience working with adults with complex needs, such as mental health difficulties, substance misuse, homelessness, neurodiversity, learning disabilities or offending behaviour.
• Experience of providing supervision, mentoring or line management to staff.
• Experience of working in partnership with multiple agencies and services.
• Experience of managing complex and high-risk cases.
• Knowledge of mental health, substance misuse and social vulnerabilities.
• Understanding of safeguarding legislation and practice.
• Knowledge of risk assessment and risk management.
• Good understanding of information governance, consent, confidentiality and GDPR.
• Understanding of trauma-informed and recovery-focused approaches.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build and maintain effective partnerships.
• Ability to analyse complex information and make sound decisions.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and workloads.
• Strong report-writing and record-keeping skills.
• Competent in Microsoft Office and electronic case management systems.
• Demonstrates integrity, accountability and professionalism.
• Committed to social inclusion and reducing inequalities.
• Able to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Resilient and adaptable in challenging situations.
• Committed to continuous learning and professional development.

Desirable:

• Degree, diploma or professional qualification in Mental Health, Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, Criminal Justice, Health and Social Care or a related field.
• Leadership or management qualification.
• Understanding of the Liaison and Diversion model and criminal justice pathways

Benefits

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service)
• Pension scheme and access to Simply Health (including optical, dental, counselling sessions)
• Birthday leave, employee discounts, and flexible working where possible
• Supportive probation, sick pay after probation, and wellbeing/EAP resources

Safeguarding & Checks

• This role is subject to a basic DBS check.
• A past history of drug/alcohol issues or criminality will not necessarily exclude you from this role; we encourage applications from people with lived experience where appropriate.
• All applicants must have a valid right to work in the UK

Catalyst Support is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate difference and are committed to fairness, accessibility, and inclusion throughout recruitment and employment.

We welcome requests for reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process.

Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Children’s Domestic Violence Advocate (CHIDVA) 

Women only occupational requirement: This role is restricted to women under Schedule 9 (Part 1) of the Equality Act 2010. The nature of the work involves providing support to women who have experienced domestic abuse, and Safenet considers it a genuine occupational requirement that the post-holder is a woman. 

About Safenet 
Safenet delivers domestic abuse services across the North West of England, including refuges for women and children, safe houses for men, and community-based support. We provide trauma-informed, survivor-led services and work with partners to help people stay safe and rebuild their lives. 

About the role 
We are looking for a compassionate, skilled and trauma-informed practitioner who can provide high-quality support to children and young people affected by domestic abuse. The successful candidate will have strong safeguarding knowledge, experience of working with children, young people and families, and the confidence to manage risk, complete assessments and work effectively with partner agencies. They will be child-centred, inclusive and reflective in their practice, with the ability to build trust, advocate for children’s voices and support safe, positive outcomes for children, young people and non-abusive parents/carers. 

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. 

Key responsibilities 

• Provide emotional and practical support through 1:1 sessions and groupwork using trauma-informed approaches. 

• Complete child-focused risk assessments (including SafeLives DASH RIC) and contribute to dynamic safety planning. 

• Represent children and young people’s needs in MARAC and other multi-agency forums, ensuring their voice informs decisions. 

• Work with social care, education, health and criminal justice partners to coordinate support and reduce barriers to access. 

• Help children and young people understand the impact of abuse, build resilience and develop age-appropriate healthy relationships. 

• Work with non-abusive parents/carers to strengthen safe relationships, attachment and recovery. 

• Identify and act on safeguarding concerns, including self-harm or suicidal ideation, and refer via appropriate pathways. 

• Maintain accurate, confidential case records and monitoring information in line with organisational and funder requirements. 

• Model inclusive, culturally sensitive, anti-discriminatory and anti-racist practice in all work. 

What we’re looking for 

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). 

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of adults, children and young people. Appointment will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment checks. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to inclusive, anti-discriminatory and anti-racist practice.