Health independent domestic violence advisor jobs
We have an exciting opportunity for an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) to join the Bristol IDVA Service supporting male victims, 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
- 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 33 days plus Bank Holidays
- An extra day off for your birthday & options to buy or sell annual leave
- Pension with 5% employer contribution
- Enhanced sick pay allowances, maternity & paternity payments
- High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment & leisure discounts
- Access to our financial wellbeing hub & salary deducted finance
- Employee assistance programme & wellbeing support
- Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes
- Cycle to work scheme & season ticket loans
- Ongoing training & support with opportunities for career development & progression
About the role:
This role is home based and therefore requires an appropriately confidential home space in which to work.
As an IDVA you will:
- Identify and assess the risks and needs of domestic abuse victims using an evidence-based risk identification checklist.
- Focus on and prioritise high risk cases and provide a proactive, short to medium term crisis intervention service. Deliver individually appropriate tailored support and information, advocacy, and practical support.
- Work with high risk victims of domestic abuse to assist them in accessing services to keep them and their family safe. Develop individual safety plans to meet client's needs as identified in the risks and needs assessment.
- Ensure each victim receives an individually appropriate tailored support and information service that fully meets their needs, keeping complex needs central to all processes and decisions.
- Understand the legal framework relating to the protection of children and vulnerable adults, including the policy and procedures of the Local Safeguarding Adult and Children's Boards.
- Provide advocacy, and information to victims including exploration of legal and civil options, housing, health and finance and support clients through the criminal justice system.
- Support the empowerment of the client and assist them in recognising the features and dynamics of domestic abuse present in their situation.
- Provide information and advocacy to enable service users to navigate and understand the criminal justice process and ensure their rights are upheld in accordance with the Victims Code of Practice.
- Participate fully in the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference framework.
- Maintain accurate and confidential case management records and contribute to monitoring the service.
You will need:
- A SafeLives (or equivalent) IDVA qualification or the willingness to work towards.
- An ability to work independently and as part of a team, sharing, coaching and influencing others.
- A good understanding of domestic abuse including its impact on victims and their children.
- An understanding of the principles of risk assessment, safety planning and risk management.
- Experience of working within a multi-agency and legislative framework.
- Experience of managing a complex caseload, and be able to prioritise work and deal with competing demands.
- Strong crisis management skills
- Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.
About Us:
Victim Support (VS) is an independent charity providing a range of specialist services to people who have been affected by crime across England and Wales. We work towards a world where there are fewer victims but who have stronger rights, better support and a real influence in the Criminal Justice System. Everyone at VS is driven by our Vision Ambitions and Values to play their part in making a difference for those who experience crime and traumatic events. Working for VS gives you the opportunity to play a key role in a national charity providing high quality services to victims and witnesses and being a vital force for change.
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.
Victim Support strives to represent the diverse communities we serve and are passionate about creating an environment where all staff and volunteers feel respected and heard. Being a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture is integral to us being able to meet our aim of ensuring that anyone who is a victim of crime gets the support they need.
As part of our commitment to the Race at Work Charter we particularly welcome applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. VS is also a Disability Confident Employer and we provide a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates that are disabled and meet all essential criteria for a role.
If you have a disability, a learning difficulty such as dyslexia or a medical condition which you believe may affect your performance during any aspect of our selection process, we'll be happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to perform at your best.
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 look forward to hearing from you.
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.
Thank you!
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!
Please note: This post is restricted to women under schedule 9, Part 1, Equalities Act 2010
OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE
The Hospital IDVA (HIDVA) will be part of our dynamic, responsive and highly regarded HIDVA team, providing crisis intervention, advocacy and support to survivors in hospitals, both patients and staff.
Survivors are often in the immediate aftermath of a crisis, such as physical assault, drug/alcohol medical need, attempted suicide or self-harm and the HIDVA will work with hospital staff to provide high quality support focussing on a strengths based, needs led approach. The HIDVA will offer initial advice and crisis safety planning to the survivor, carry out assessments of needs and risks. They will also advise on criminal justice, civil remedies, housing and any other relevant matters.
We provide a visible and proactive presence in the hospitals and work in partnership with hospital staff to identify, contact and support survivors. The HIDVA team attend safeguarding meetings, ward/nurse handover meetings, deliver training and provide advice and support to staff around domestic abuse.
We offer an out of hours service (Friday evenings and weekend days) at William Harvey Hospital and Darent Valley Hospital on an alternating basis. The post holder will be expected to participate in an out of hours rota, working on average one weekend in four.
The Hospital IDVA will be based part-time in the William Harvey Hospital and part-time in Darent Valley hospital. There is also flexibility to work from the Rising Sun main office from time to time to attend team meetings, supervision and training.
We are looking for someone with an excellent understanding of domestic abuse and its effects on women and children, who has supported survivors with varying experiences and needs. You will be supported by our Head of Adult Services and HIDVA Manager and receive training and an induction into both the hospital work and Rising Sun’s wider services. If unqualified, we will support you to complete a formal domestic abuse qualification on passing your probation.
Equal Opportunities
Rising Sun is an equal opportunities employer. We recognise intersecting identities, and value what having a diverse team brings, both in terms of effectively responding to client needs, and engaging with each other at work. We encourage applicants from all sections of the community; especially from minority groups, as we are on a journey to increase diversity in our team. Flexible working is available in most roles, and we strive to accommodate the needs of all applicants and team members.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Support to Survivors
- Be present in the hospitals daily to respond to referrals or requests for domestic abuse advice and to meet with survivors.
- Ensure that survivors are aware of their rights and options and explain the effectiveness of criminal and civil sanctions available to them.
- Produce safety plans with the client, enabling them to assess and manage their own safety.
- Carry out needs assessments, including DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour Based Violence) risk assessment, to effectively deliver holistic, survivor centred support.
- Work in partnership with hospital staff, safeguarding departments and other services e.g. the police, housing, social services, mental health (amongst others) to advocate for survivors and complete referrals to ongoing support services where appropriate.
- Attend Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) meetings and refer service users to MARAC when appropriate.
- Assist clients in gaining access to solicitors, benefits agencies, housing departments, education, medical treatment, counselling, support networks, community groups, employment support etc.
- Recognise, respect and address the needs of survivors who face particular barriers when seeking access to services, including those from minority groups or with protected characteristics
- Safeguard the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk; working within safeguarding policies, Child Protection Procedures and local procedures for safeguarding adults at risk.
- Maintain accurate client records, outcome and monitoring data. Prepare information or reports for the monitoring and evaluation of the service.
- Complete daily ward rounds to raise awareness and identify any potential DA support needs for staff or patients.
- Participate in an out of hours rota, providing an on-call phone support service to hospital staff on Friday evenings and weekend days as timetabled.
Partnership Working and Training
- Promote the HIDVA service in the hospitals and build positive relationships with hospital staff, in particular safeguarding teams and clinicians.
- Attend safeguarding, mental health and frequent attenders meetings to screen patients for potential domestic abuse and provide advice to staff. Together with any other helpful meetings that may arise.
- Deliver training to staff in various health settings across Kent to raise awareness of domestic abuse, safe enquiry and appropriate responding.
General
- Uphold the values and good name of Rising Sun at all times, represent the organisation in a way that is consistent with its philosophy and ethos and in line with all Rising Sun’s policies.
- Actively participate in clinical supervision, training and development opportunities.
- Develop your understanding of trauma informed work and embed in your day-to-day practice.
- Maintain an up to date working knowledge to be able to advise women of their rights and options for seeking help and support from other agencies, such as housing options, legislation and welfare.
- Comply with organisational policies and procedures, including Safeguarding and Health and Safety.
- Undertake other duties and responsibilities in keeping with the nature of this post, as may be required from time to time.
This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time it was drawn up and will be reviewed from time to time. Duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and cannot of themselves justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The successful candidate will demonstrate the following experience, knowledge, skills and attitudes.
Qualifications
- Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) qualification (desirable)
- Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA) qualification (desirable)
- Health qualification (desirable)
Knowledge and Experience
- At least 3 years’ experience of working with survivors of domestic abuse, including high risk clients, and assessing client risks and needs
- Experience of co-producing short- and longer-term risk management, safety and support plans with survivors and their children
- Experience of delivering training (desirable)
- Experience working with the police, social services and MARAC
- Experience of lone working and able to work on own initiative
- Experience working with people with mental health needs, substance misuse, other complex needs
- Experience of working in a hospital / health setting (desirable)
- Knowledge of criminal and civil legal remedies and housing law relating to domestic abuse
- Knowledge of domestic abuse risk assessment tools including DASH and extensive understanding of the MARAC process
- A thorough understanding of safeguarding relating to adults with care and support needs and children
- Up to date knowledge of the welfare benefits system and the ability to ensure service users maximise their benefit entitlement (desirable)
- Knowledge of local services and DA Specialists across Kent & Medway (desirable)
Skills and attributes
- Ability to netork face to face and virtually, to develop new contacts and partnerships
- Ability to train professionals on recognising domestic abuse and responding appropriately (desirable)
- Ability to motivate yourself and work independently on your own initiative
- Solution focused and creative in approaching new challenges
- Competent using Microsoft office programmes, in particular MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Passionate about the aim and principles of Rising Sun
- Committed to equal opportunities, safeguarding and maintaining confidentiality
- Able to drive and have access to a reliable car (post holder will be required to attend meetings and across our areas of work)
- Able to work some evenings and weekends
- Eligible to live and work in the UK
Safeguarding Statement
Rising Sun is committed to safeguarding those we provide a service to. The successful candidate will be required to undergo a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, a ‘right to work check’ in accordance with UK government Home Office guidelines, and to provide two references.
Benefits
We offer a number of benefits to team members including:
- 25 days annual leave per year
- A bonus day of leave for your birthday
- 3% matched pension contribution
- Access to Rising Sun’s counselling service
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Health care cash plan for you and your children for a number of health treatments (e.g. dental, optical, physiotherapy etc.) and also discounts in shops and attractions
- Up to four weeks sick pay in any 12 month period (eligible after probation period)
How to apply
For further information about both Rising Sun and this role, please visit our website. Please fill out an application form if you feel this role would be a good fit for your skills and experience, demonstrating how you meet the requirements of the person specification in your personal statement.
We request no contact from agencies or media sales please.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
Our vision is a world in which all women and children live free from actual or threatened domestic abuse and all forms of violence.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Location: Redbridge/Waltham Forest (Hybrid)
Salary: Qualified Applicants £29,923 - £32,623 per annum
Unqualified Applicants £28,255 - £29,913 per annum
(Please note that applicants are usually appointed at the bottom of the relevant band)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: Tuesday 22nd July 2025
Closing Time: 00:00am
Are you looking for a rewarding role working for an intersectional feminist organisation? If so, we have an incredible opportunity for you to join our team as an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) at Solace Women's Aid.
You will be joining a team of committed and inspiring individuals whose dedication has saved the lives of thousands of women, men and children in the capital. We are looking for friendly and diligent individuals to join our services and help us make a difference.
Our core values reflect our history and were developed in consultation with staff and service users. Feminism and intersectionality are key to our work and we are committed to the principles of being survivor-led, trauma-informed, empowering, diverse, anti-racist and anti-discriminatory.
About the Service
Our Solace Advocacy Support Service (SASS) teams provide advocacy and support to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse living across London. We are recruiting two IDVA positions in our new Redbridge team.
About the role
The successful candidate will be responsible for risk and needs assessing and safety planning with survivors of domestic violence. They will hold a caseload of service users identified as high-risk requiring crisis short-term intervention, providing advice, advocacy, and onward referral where appropriate.
About You
We're looking for highly organised and self-motivated applicants who are passionate about ending gender-based violence. You will have a “can-do‟ approach and demonstrable commitment to Solace’s feminist approach to supporting women and their children to be safer. Successful applicants will have in-depth knowledge of domestic abuse and its impact on service users and their children, experience of supporting survivor’s domestic and/or sexual abuse including strong casework management skills.
What we can offer you
We provide a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees, including:
- Flexible working
- Focus on learning and development (internal career progression and training)
- Generous holiday entitlement
- Employer pension contribution
- Family-friendly leave and enhanced maternity pay
- Access to Inclusion Networks
- Daily clinical debriefing
- Employee Assistance Programme providing free 24/7 support and advice
- Employee Benefits Platform offering staff discounts, benefits and savings
- Flow & Restore yoga classes
- Meditation sessions
- Cycle to Work Scheme
How to apply
When applying for this role, kindly highlight in your Supporting Statement how your values, knowledge, transferrable skills, and experience align with each point within the following sections of the Job Profile Document:
- Values, Behaviours & Competencies
- Knowledge, Experience and Skills
Solace Women's Aid values diversity, promotes equity, and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, abilities, perspectives, and lived experiences. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay, and benefits. Our Inclusion Networks support staff with protected characteristics and offer inclusive spaces to connect.
We are a Disability Confident Employer and committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as needed and support employees who acquire a disability or long-term health condition, enabling them to stay in work.
This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2) e of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.
As part of safer recruitment practices, we carry out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and right to work in the UK checks.
No agencies.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Location: Tower Hamlets
Salary: Unqualified: £28,255 - £29,913 per annum
Qualified: £29,923 - £32,623 per annum (Dependent on qualifications/experience)
(Please note that applicants are usually appointed at the bottom of the relevant band)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 17th July 2025
Closing Time: 00:00am
Are you looking for a rewarding role working for an intersectional feminist organisation? If so, we have an incredible opportunity for you to join our team as an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) at Solace Women's Aid.
You will be joining a team of committed and inspiring individuals whose dedication has saved the lives of thousands of women, men and children in the capital. We are looking for friendly and diligent individuals to join our services and help us make a difference.
Our core values reflect our history and were developed in consultation with staff and service users. Feminism and intersectionality are key to our work and we are committed to the principles of being survivor-led, trauma-informed, empowering, diverse, anti-racist and anti-discriminatory.
About the Service
Tower Hamlets Solace Advocacy and Support Service (SASS) provides advocacy and support to survivors of DVA with the aim to reduce risk and harm. Our work is holistic and empowering, working alongside survivors to achieve independent lives free from abuse.
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced IDVA to join our dynamic team in Tower Hamlets, working with people who have experienced domestic violence and abuse. You will be working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
As an IDVA you are responsible for carrying out risk and needs assessments, safety planning and providing support and intervention to victim/survivors of domestic violence identified at Poplar jobcentre. In addition to this you will build relationships with, and provide advice, guidance and training to external professionals.
About You
You will need a passion for working with victim/survivors and a thorough understanding of domestic abuse and its impact on women and their children, as well as experience of providing emotional and practical support and strong casework management skills.
You will have the skills to provide effective crisis intervention, carry out risk assessments, safety planning, assessment of needs and individual support planning. You should have demonstrable experience of working in an IDVA or similar position with this or a similar client group.
In return, we offer great employee benefits including three per cent employer pension contribution, generous holiday entitlement and a focus on learning and development.
What we can offer you
We provide a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees, including:
- Flexible working
- Focus on learning and development (internal career progression and training)
- Generous holiday entitlement
- Employer pension contribution
- Family-friendly leave and enhanced maternity pay
- Access to Inclusion Networks
- Daily clinical debriefing
- Employee Assistance Programme providing free 24/7 support and advice
- Employee Benefits Platform offering staff discounts, benefits and savings
- Flow & Restore yoga classes
- Meditation sessions
- Cycle to Work Scheme
How to apply
When applying for this role, kindly highlight in your Supporting Statement how your values, knowledge, transferrable skills, and experience align with each point within the following sections of the Job Profile Document:
- Values, Behaviours & Competencies
- Knowledge, Experience and Skills
Solace Women's Aid values diversity, promotes equity, and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, abilities, perspectives, and lived experiences. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay, and benefits. Our Inclusion Networks support staff with protected characteristics and offer inclusive spaces to connect.
We are a Disability Confident Employer and committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as needed and support employees who acquire a disability or long-term health condition, enabling them to stay in work.
This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2) e of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.
As part of safer recruitment practices, we carry out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and right to work in the UK checks.
No agencies.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
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!
Job Summary
Location : Requirement to attend our sites in Basildon, Harlow and Thurrock if required and to team meetings quarterly.
Type: Remote
Salary: £48,000.00 per annum
Hours : 37.5 hours per week
Term: Permanent
Main Responsibilities:
Leadership
1. As a member of the Operational Leadership Team and wider Senior Leadership Team, work collaboratively and take collective responsibility for the strategic management and leadership of the organisation.
2. Work closely with the CEO, Treasurer and Board of Trustees to facilitate good governance and risk management.
3. Manage, maintain and develop all financial systems and control; increasing their impact and quality, and implementing best practices in financial management.
4. To supervise finance assistants and ensure that they are adhering to financial code of practices.
Financial Management
1. Lead and manage all aspects of the financial cycle, including budgeting, forecasting, fixed asset management, reserves & designated fund management and financial reporting.
2. Work with HR & Payroll Officer to manage and retain oversight of the day to day financial operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, banking and general ledger maintenance, including the reconciliation of petty cash, credit cards and all bank accounts on a monthly basis reviewing and approving payment runs and payroll.
3. Work with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team to prepare the annual budgets and forecasts.
4. Lead and manage the provision of regular budget monitoring and reports to budget holders.
5. Assist with the budget preparation for funding bids. Manage, monitor and keep track of any grants, funding or commissioned income, working with relevant managers to provide relevant financial information for inclusion in monitoring reports.
6. Lead and manage the provision of quarterly financial reports to the Board and advise them on financial issues as appropriate
7. Provide insightful financial analysis and reporting to inform and support organisational management, development and decision[1]making, and funding applications across the organisation.
8. Work with the CEO to prepare medium term financial forecasts for the organisation to support strategic decision-making and delivery of strategic priorities.
9. Lead on the audit process and the preparation of year end accounts to trial balance including preparation of the audit file and the closing down of the accounts on our accounting management system to ensure that the organisation is compliant with legal requirements and good practice.
10. To work closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and designated Trustees to advise, review and cost the annual pay award.
11. To provide back-up and holiday cover for the processing of monthly payroll.
12. To work with and support the HR & Payroll Officer in providing payroll information and reconciling payroll monthly.
Governance and compliance
1. Ensure compliance with all relevant financial regulations and reporting requirements (e.g. Companies House, HMRC and the Charity Commission).
2. Attend Trustee Board meetings to report on financial matters, including the identification and management of financial risk, and provide any relevant reports.
3. To support the Trustees, SLT and line managers in managing our finances carefully and within our financial means, through provision of advice, guidance, support and training.
4. To be the main point of contact with external auditors.
5. To ensure that robust financial controls are in place, underpinned by appropriate financial policies and procedures and to ensure that they are adhered to and that the organisation is protected from fraud and error.
Closing date for applications : 21st July 2025
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.