Health idva jobs

We have an exciting opportunity for an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor to join the team in Rochdale, 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 are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent. Our competitive rewards and benefits package includes:

• 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

This role is office based in Rochdale Police Station and the ideal candidate will be based 3 days per week with Victim Support and a couple of days with external agencies who deliver direct support to children.

As an IDVA you will:

• provide pro-active, high quality, frontline service to victims of domestic violence & abuse through on-going risk assessment, individual safety planning, advocacy, emotional and practical support.
• 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.
• work with survivors to ensure they have on-going support to manage their safety

Key tasks will include:

• Identify & assess risks and needs of domestic abuse victims using an evidence-based risk checklist.
• Focus on & prioritise high risk cases providing a pro-active, short to medium term crisis intervention service, through individual safety planning, advocacy, emotional and practical support.
• Working with high risk victims of domestic abuse assisting them in accessing services to keep them and their family safe.
• Developing individual safety plans to meet client's needs as identified in the needs and risk assessment.
• Providing advocacy, emotional and practical support and information to victims including exploration of legal and civil options, housing, health and finance and support clients through the criminal justice system.
• Empowering clients to recognise the features and dynamics of domestic abuse present in their situation.
• Providing long-term support to victims of domestic violence & abuse, who's ex partners are attending the Drive perpetrator programme.

You will need

• A good understanding of domestic abuse & its impact.
• To understand risk assessment, safety planning & risk management for victims of domestic abuse
• Knowledge of Safeguarding & legal responsibilities relating to this.
• Theoretical, practical & procedural knowledge of civil and criminal justice remedies for victims of domestic abuse.
• Experience of direct service delivery to victims of domestic abuse or other vulnerable people.

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.

DRIVE - IDVA Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA)

Location: FCWA Offices, 77 Montague Street, Blackpool, FY4 1AT

Salary: 

• £26,500 (FTE unqualified) £21,200 based on 30 hours
• £28,500 (FTE qualified or after 2 years of service) £22,800 based on 30 hours

Hours: 30 hours per week- Over 4 days (Monday–Friday: 9:00am–5:00 pm) Days negotiable

Vacancy Type: 12 Months- continuation is subject to funding

FCWA is an innovative, exciting, and friendly organisation run by a staff team who are passionate about bringing an end to domestic and sexual violence. Our work is holistic and empowering, working alongside survivors to achieve independent lives free from abuse.

The DRIVE IDVA Role and Key Responsibilities

The Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate (IDVA) plays a critical safeguarding role within the Drive Project, providing specialist, survivor-centred advocacy, safety planning and risk management for victims and survivors linked to Drive cases. The role ensures that survivors’ voices, safety, and well-being remain central to system decision-making throughout the Drive intervention.

The role is positioned to work with victims/survivors of domestic abuse; providing specialist support to victims of high-risk, serial, or high-harm domestic abuse perpetrators who are managed by the Drive Project.

DRIVE IDVA’s provide ongoing recovery support to clients for up to 12 months.

• The role requires the successful candidate to;
• Proactively engage with victim/survivors to build bespoke safety plans, including security measures to increase their immediate and long-term safety.
• Act as the crucial link between the perpetrator’s case manager and the victim/survivor to provide current updates and inform disruptive interventions (e.g., police action, bail conditions).
• Conduct regular risk assessments to monitor changes in the perpetrator's behaviour and reduce the risk of harm to the victim/survivor and any children.
• Represent the victim/survivors’ needs in multi-agency meetings (such as MARAC and DAPP), ensuring a coordinated approach between police, social services, housing, and health.
• Serve as the main contact point for victim/survivors to provide consistent support, information and advocacy throughout the intervention process.
• Support victim/survivors through the legal, criminal or civil justice systems. This post will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure and clearance.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Thorough understanding of domestic abuse and its impact on victims, children, and families.
• Knowledge of risk assessment, safety planning, and risk management within domestic abuse services.
• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities relating to children and vulnerable adults.
• Experience of providing direct support to victims of domestic abuse or other vulnerable groups.
• Experience working within multi-agency partnerships and legislative frameworks.
• Experience using SafeLives DASH risk assessment tools.
• Ability to manage a complex caseload and prioritise competing demands effectively.
• Strong crisis management and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, advocacy, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office and electronic case management systems.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and survivor-centred practice.

Desirable Criteria

• IDVA qualification or willingness to work towards accreditation.
• Knowledge of civil and criminal justice remedies available to victims of domestic abuse.
• Experience working with individuals affected by mental health issues, substance misuse, or multiple disadvantage.
• Knowledge of housing, homelessness, welfare benefits, and CAFCASS processes.
• Understanding of Respect Standards and perpetrator intervention programmes.

Benefits:

• Birthday day off
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Regular staff support sessions
• Contributory pension scheme
• Death in Service insurance
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Friendly, values-driven team environment

Additional Information:

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS disclosure and clearance.

Please note that we reserve the right to withdraw or close this vacancy at any time.

To Apply 

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Fylde Coast Womens Aid, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application.

Closing date: 22nd June 2026

Interviews: TBC