Health independent domestic violence advisor jobs
Main purpose of job: To provide emotional and practical support and information to victims and survivors of sexual violence who have reported to the police, or are considering reporting to the police.
Location: Hybrid: working from home, with regular attendance at CARA premises in Colchester and regular travel across mid and north Essex.
Preferred start date: ASAP (subject to enhanced DBS Check and satisfactory references)
Salary: £32,151 - £34,020 (pro rata).
Contract: This is a permanent contract.
Hours: 28 - 35 hours per week.
Holiday: 25 days per year pro-rata, plus additional gift days at Christmas.
To apply: Please complete the application form, which can be downloaded from our website, explaining how your skills and experience relate to the person specification.
Application deadline: 9am, Monday 2nd February 2026.
Interviews: Wednesday 11th February 2026.
This post is restricted to women applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1.
Job Description
Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs) provide emotional and practical support and information to victims and survivors of sexual violence who have reported to the police, or are considering reporting to the police.
The role of an ISVA is to support victims and survivors by:
·Ensuring their voice is heard.
·Helping them make the choices that feel right for them.
·Accompanying them to important appointments and to court.
·Supporting them with their next steps after the legal process is over, regardless of the outcome of the case.
If victims and survivors are considering reporting to the police, ISVAs can also help them by:
·Providing impartial information to enable them to make an informed decision.
·Offering an overview of police processes and what to expect if they do decide to report.
·Supporting them in their next steps.
CARA provides an ISVA service to adults, young people and children who have been victims of sexual violence from across mid and North Essex, and Uttlesford.
Most ISVA clients are referred to CARA through the Police or the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). Clients can also refer themselves.
Duties and Responsibilities
For all clients
· To liaise with CARA’s Information and Referrals Coordinator and First Contact Navigators in supporting new referrals to the ISVA service.
· To undertake risk assessment and support needs analysis with clients.
· To develop individual service plans to address risks/support needs of clients.
· To help clients access services to which they are entitled, e.g. through setting up fast-track referral systems to sexual health follow-up services, making referrals to mental health services, assisting with return to work/absence from work arrangements.
· To provide face-to-face and telephone support (non-therapeutic) to clients and their supporters where appropriate.
· To help clients to develop their own support network.
· To explain criminal, legal and if relevant, civil remedies to clients.
· To provide information in relation to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
· Where relevant and with client’s consent, to keep other agencies informed about important changes in client’s situation.
· To consider safeguarding issues and follow CARA’s safeguarding policy and procedures.
If a client reports to the Police
· To support the client throughout their time in the criminal justice system, explaining the procedures and their role and rights within it.
· Subject to local arrangements and their wishes, to support the client at every step; from the provision of their witness statement through to a trial.
· To liaise with the police and CPS on behalf of the client. To keep them informed about the progress of their case on behalf of the police in line with the requirements of the Victims Code of Practice.
· To participate in case conferences with the police and CPS.
· To understand and support the need for some clients to access special measures.
General
· To manage a caseload of around 50 clients (pro rata), including adults, young people and children.
· To travel to client meetings in a variety of settings, including outreach premises and clients’ homes.
· To maintain and monitor records, using a purpose-built online database.
· To follow procedures and protocols so that the safety of the client is kept central to any process.
· To note and feedback to other agencies any difficulties clients are having accessing their service.
· To contribute to the development of service policies, protocols, guidelines and strategies within areas of practice as necessary.
· To develop and maintain effective communication systems with key partners including the police, CPS, HMCTS, social services, education, primary care trust (mental and sexual health), Victim Support, Witness Service, CAFCASS and voluntary sector organisations.
·To participate in team meetings, supervision, training and development.
·To participate in co-location working within Colchester and Chelmsford police stations.
· To provide specialist advice to other workers and agencies, including participation in the delivery of training sessions.
· To have a clear understanding of the myths surrounding sexual violence, and the trauma and long-term mental health effects it creates, including self-harm, suicidal feelings and suicide attempts.
· To be aware of resources available regarding interpreters, signers etc.
· To attend regular team meetings and to work with colleagues to further the objectives of CARA.
· To adhere in full to all CARA’s organisational policies and procedures, including safeguarding.
· To report to the ISVA Manager, Head of Operations, CEO and Trustees as required, including the production of written reports.
· To be administratively self-servicing.
· To undertake any other related activities as required by the ISVA Manager, Head of Operations, CEO or Board of Trustees.
About CARA
CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) works with victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, providing independent, specialist support and promoting and representing their rights and needs.
CARA is a registered charity working with adults of all genders, young people and children from across mid and north Essex. We have a head office in Colchester and outreach premises in Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton-on-Sea, Great Dunmow and Harwich. We also provide remote services.
CARA seeks to be an inclusive organisation that actively encourages, supports and values diversity amongst both our service-users and our workers. We wish to create a culture in which discrimination, in all its forms, is recognised and addressed.
You can read more about CARA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion on our website. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds.
About Synergy East
CARA is part of Synergy East. We work closely with SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis) to deliver the contract for the Office for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex for services for victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse across Essex.
Registered Charity 
21 - 50
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Birmingham and Solihull Women’s aid have for over 45 years supported women and children with services around domestic violence and abuse. Could you be a part of our team as we continue our mission to end domestic violence and abuse?
The region’s leading charity in tackling violence against women and girls, BSWA offers a helpline, webchat, drop in and and community support as well as emergency accommodation in six refuges across the area.
Projects supports women in the criminal justice system, in healthcare settings, and throughout the community, offering support to women and children experiencing domestic violence. Alongside this, we also have staff offering training and consultancy to businesses and health and social care professionals alike, raising awareness on gender based violence issues.
We seek like-minded women to join our enthusiastic team of workers, all of us passionate about the vital and valuable work we do to support women and children who have experienced domestic abuse, and tackling the wider issues of violence against women and girls.
·To plan and implement high quality support and advocacy services for women affected by domestic violence who are deemed as being high risk.
· To work within a multi-agency framework to ensure the safety of women is prioritised.
- Providing practical and emotional support to women and children affected by domestic violence.
- Offering advice and information and advocating for service users on a range of issues including homelessness, benefits, legal, social welfare issues etc.
- Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with external agencies
- Working within safeguarding guidelines to protect and promote the well-being of children and vulnerable adults.
Benefits
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31 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays)
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Up to 6% matched pension contribution
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Free access to Employee Assistance Programme
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Life Assurance scheme while in employment (a lump sum of 4 times salary)
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Cycle to Work scheme
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Health Cash Plan scheme available to all employees from day one
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Successful candidates may have the opportunity to work under hybrid working arrangements, subject to the role and to the terms of our Hybrid Working Policy
BSWA is a Disability Confident Employer. We want everyone to have equal chance at being considered for our jobs. Should you be unable to submit your application online and would prefer an alternative method, or you are experiencing another barrier to completing your application, please contact our recruitment team.
These posts are covered by a Genuine Occupational Requirement (Schedule 9; Equality Act 2010) and women only need apply.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is at 12 noon on Monday 9th Feb. Interviews will take place weeks commencing 2nd and 9th March.
Thank you!
Location: Sheffield and covering one other location TBC
Salary: Grade 7 - £49,488 per annum
Closing date: Sunday 1st February 2026 at 11.30 pm
Full time - 35 hours per week
Join Shelter as a Managing Housing Solicitor, in our mission to drive systemic change and fight for Justice.
If you are a dedicated Solicitor with specialist knowledge in housing and homelessness law, and a strong commitment to addressing the housing crisis we welcome you to apply for this role.
At a time when the housing emergency continues to deepen, your experience could help transform lives and challenge the systems that perpetuate injustice. Come and play a central role in our mission as a Managing Solicitor to lead a team to defend the right to a safe, and secure home.
Working with Shelter means being part of a passionate team that believes a safe home is a fundamental right. Here, your legal skills don’t just change lives—they shape a fairer housing system.
About the role
You will ensure you and your team will deliver high quality legal services and manage our Legal Aid Contract, with your main focus being on your own caseload and to manage and supervise the legal teams who are advocating for clients with housing issues, as well as bringing about systemic change. You will be dealing with personnel issues, providing professional support and supervision to your team, including but not limited to, independent file reviews (IFRs), time recording and good case management, as well as carrying your own caseload of housing litigation.
Contributing to the strategic direction of Shelter legal services nationally will be an important aspect of the role too, as will taking the lead on delivering strategic change aligned to Shelter’s strategy and ensuring Legal aid contract requirements and performance targets are met.
You will be able to identify test case opportunities to address systemic bad practice and so achieve change for a greater number of people and will work closely with the Head of Legal Services, the Hub Management Team and teams within Communications, Policy and Campaigns and Business Development. As a key member of the management team, you will also get to play your part in the management of our offices, including attending management team meetings and collaborating with other teams.
About you
1. You will be an experienced housing solicitor, court advocate, carrying your own caseload as well as managing and supervising others.
2. You will have a minimum of 4 years post qualification legal practice experience
3. You will have supervisor status and have substantial knowledge of housing and homelessness law.
4. You are able to carry out research and policy analysis in the areas of housing, homeless and welfare law, produce reports and presentations.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 32 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
About the team
Our legal Teams (Managing Solicitors, Solicitors, Legal Advisors and Trainees) are based throughout the England hubs, we are currently based in London, Plymouth, Dorset, Bristol, Norwich, Birmingham, Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Sheffield and Newcastle.
Our teams are enthusiastic, driven and champions for fighting the housing injustice. Our teams whilst generating an income also address the housing crisis.
Shelter Sheffield provide housing advice and support to people across the city, with a focus on emergency homelessness, intensive support for children and families, people experiencing domestic abuse and people with multiple and complex needs. A holistic approach is taken to help people deal with interrelated issues that can impact their ability to keep a home and work for systemic changes to prevent homelessness, supporting over 5000 people every year.
About Shelter
Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.
We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.
We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.
How to apply
Please submit your CV with a supporting statement with responses to the 'About You' points 1-4 outlined in the job description of no more than 1000 words total. Please provide specific examples following the STAR format and ensure you demonstrate how you address the behaviour below throughout your responses:
- We prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset
CVs without an accompanying supporting statement will not be considered.
Safeguarding Statement
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
Recruitment Agencies
Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.