Independent domestic violence advisor jobs

To provide high-quality and comprehensive advice, information, practical and advocacy support relating to domestic and other forms of gender-based violence perpetrated against Black and minoritised women and children.

To assist with educational, developmental, policy and campaigning work arising from advice and casework.

To promote the aims and objectives of SBS as a specialist organisation for Black and minoritised women and children.

Why work with Southall Black Sisters?

Southall Black Sisters is committed to providing a supportive working environment, where team members feel valued, empowered and safe. To that end, we provide an excellent package of employee benefits including:​

• Generous annual leave entitlement 
• Hybrid working 
• Enhanced pension contribution
• Enhanced sick pay
• Subsidised public transport season ticket
• A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, including access to confidential support from MBACP therapists 
• Clinical supervision with an MBACP therapist to explore issues arising from casework
• A focus on continued learning and development through accredited training delivered by experts in their field
• Organisation-wide away days
• Career development pathways and support
• The opportunity to learn and grow within an organisation renowned for inspiring political activism and campaigning successes
• Employer eye care scheme

To Apply

Submit a completed application form along with the optional equal opportunities monitoring form by the application deadline. Please do not send us your CV as this will not be considered.

Please note, incomplete applications will not be considered.

Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!

We are looking for a Senior IDVA

Salary: £32,000 - £33,000 depending on experience

Location: Hammersmith

Hours: 35 Hours per week including Thursdays early shift (8am) and evening between 6-9pm on rota basis (so approximately every 4-5 weeks)

Contract: Permanent

This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Please note: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

About us

Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community.

We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies.

Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

Job Summary

As Senior IDVA you will work within a dynamic, fast-paced crisis intervention, advocacy, and support service to ensure the voice of survivors informs every stage of the process. This role combines oversight of the Duty IDVA service with specialist responsibility for MARAC coordination and participation. You will lead on MARAC responsibilities, oversee the Duty service, line manage two Duty IDVAs, support the Angelou Service Manager with administrative tasks, and hold a reduced caseload providing high-quality advocacy and support based on client-led needs and risk assessments.

You will ensure that the Duty service runs effectively, maintaining referral pathways, ensuring that documents and procedures are in place and embedded into working practice supporting those covering duty as required.

You will line manage the Duty IDVAs and will manage the allocation of cases from duty, liaising with Managers. You will assist the Manager with data collection, data analysis and problem solving.

Acting as the MARAC lead for the team you will oversee the quality of the internal MARAC process, ensuring cases are prepared and presented effectively, attend MARAC meetings on a rota basis and follow up on agreed actions.

You will also contribute to duty work, conducting calls and initial assessments and responding to crises, working within the team to make proactive contact and provide high quality advocacy and support based upon a client led needs and risk assessment to women referred to our service.

You will have an excellent understanding of domestic violence and its effects on women and children and of best practice within the domestic abuse sector and in working with women with children. The post holder will be proficient in data collection and case work recording. As an experienced domestic violence advocate who has worked with complex and multiple needs, you will be skilled in risk management and safety planning, remaining calm in a crisis and in handling sensitive information on a daily basis. Experience of direct work with female survivors of domestic violence and of working within safeguarding procedures is essential for this post, as is the need to adopt and promote a strong partnership approach to service provision.

How to apply:

 Please submit your up to date CV along with a covering letter vie our careers site.

• Closing Date for Applications: 6th July 2026 @ 23:59

• Interviews will be taking place the week of the 13th July 2026

*Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate.

What we can offer you - Employee Benefits:

• A 35-hour working week

• An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that's nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!)

• Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home

• Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more

• Pension scheme

• Enhanced maternity/adoption provision

• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme

• Employee eye-care scheme

• Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles

• Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation

• Organisation wide away days

• Thorough induction and training

• Career development pathways

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Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.

Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. 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.

Safeguarding

Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.

We are looking for a proactive and compassionate Hospital Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse within a hospital setting.

The role is based at Princess Royal University Hospital along with some working from the Victim Support office in Old Street and some home working.

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

As an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate you will provide pro-active, high quality, frontline service to victims of domestic abuse through on-going risk assessment, providing individual safety planning, trauma-informed support, guidance, information, and advocacy and enabling victim/survivors to access the services they need in the aftermath of the abuse and trauma they have experienced.

You may work within a Hospital Trust's Safeguarding Team to support both patients and staff in an Acute Hospital setting, who have experienced Domestic Abuse. You will make initial contact with victims of domestic abuse, explaining our services and assessing the impact of crime, or receive referrals from colleagues, in order to provide on-going support and case management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assess risks and needs using evidence-based checklists.
• Focus on high-risk cases with short to medium-term crisis intervention.
• Assist high-risk victims in accessing safety services.
• Deliver tailored support and information.
• Understand legal frameworks for protecting children and vulnerable adults.
• Provide advocacy on legal, housing, health, and financial options.
• Empower clients to recognize domestic abuse dynamics.
• Participate in Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC).
• Work with a team to deliver respectful, dignified, and sensitive services.
• Maintain accurate and confidential case records.
• Comply with data protection laws and organizational policies.
• Stay updated with procedures, policies, and professional codes.

About You

Ideally, you will have knowledge about legal remedies for domestic abuse victims and have experience working with drug, alcohol, and mental health issues. An understanding of benefits, housing, and homelessness would also be beneficial.

You will need:

• Strong understanding of domestic abuse and its impact.
• Demonstrate proficiency in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Experience in statutory, voluntary, or multi-agency settings.
• Competency in risk and needs assessment frameworks.
• Understanding of safeguarding issues.
• Direct service delivery experience to victims or vulnerable people.
• Ability to manage complex caseloads and prioritize work.
• Strong crisis management skills.
• Effective communication, negotiation, and advisory skills.
• Commitment to equal opportunities and diversity.

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.

Job Title: Independent Domestic Violence Advocate x2

Location: Warwickshire
Salary: £26,701.36 per annum 
Contract type: Full Time, Fixed Term Contract (Until 31 March 2027)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

We want kind and empathic people to work at Refuge, who believe in equality, diversity, and inclusion, are experts in their area of knowledge, want to make a positive difference and improve the lives of the women and children we support.

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate supporting women and children who are impacted by domestic violence.

We are looking for a skilled, values driven IDVA who is committed to challenging inequality, reducing harm, and improving safety for adults and children affected by domestic abuse. You will bring relevant professional experience, strong skills in assessment, engagement, safety planning and communication, and the ability to work safely in complex and high risk situations. We are seeking people who can hold clear boundaries and accountability while offering empathy, curiosity and respect. You will work in a trauma informed, survivor centred and strengths based way, recognising each survivor as the expert in their own life. You will understand how gendered power, oppression and structural barriers shape survivors’ experiences, and you will be confident applying these principles in your practice.

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies. 

Use of a car essential to the role due to rural nature of county.

Closing Date: 09:00am 6 July 2026

Interview Date: 15 July 2026

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

We have a new and exciting opportunity within Victim Support to provide Domestic Abuse case management interventions across Cumbria, as part of the Drive Project.

The Drive Partnership, formed by Respect, SafeLives and Social Finance, is working to transform the national response to perpetrators of domestic abuse. They work to end domestic abuse and protect victims by disrupting, challenging, and changing the behaviour of those who are causing harm. Together they have developed the Drive Project to address a gap in work with high-harm, high-risk perpetrators of domestic abuse. They also work to advocate for systems and policy change- to develop sustainable, national systems that respond more effectively to all perpetrators of domestic abuse.

Victim Support are recruiting an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate's (IDVA) to cover Westmorland & Furness.

Drive is an innovative national project that aims to improve the lives and safety of victims and children, by holding high-risk perpetrators to account. The project combines case management of perpetrators with a co-ordinated multi-agency response.

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:

The role is based in Westmorland & Furness.

As an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate you will be:

• Providing a pro-active, high quality, frontline service to victims of domestic abuse through on-going risk assessment, individual safety planning, advocacy, emotional and practical support.
• Work within a multi-agency framework consisting of the DRIVE model, MARAC and local partnership responses to domestic abuse to keep safety central to all services for victims of domestic abuse
• Promoting the service and raising awareness of issues arising, minimising barriers and improving access to support

You will need:

• Experience of providing support those affected by domestic abuse
• Experience of undertaking need and risk assessments and creating safety plans
• Experience of the MARAC and other partnership processes
• Experience of multi agency working

This role involves regular travel and due to the location, a driving license and access to a vehicle is considered an essential requirement. If you are unable to drive because of a disability please indicate this in your application in your personal statement so we can explore the feasibility of alternative arrangements.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

These posts will be subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure.

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.

Job Title: Pathfinder Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA)

Position available: 1 full-time position (37.5 hours) based across the Black Country

Salary: £25,282.44 - £28,861.62 (dependent upon qualifications and experience)

Closing date: 24 June 2026

BCWA reserve the right to close this advert before the closing date

All interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams

Is this you?

This is a challenging role that requires empathy, compassion, excellent interpersonal and caseload management skills, and confidence working with partner agencies and advocating for clients.

The Role:

Pathfinder IDVAs will be the main point of contact and support for victim/survivors and their children in the Family Court process, ensuring that they are well-informed and prepared for proceedings, and that they are well-supported throughout. Pathfinder IDVAs will provide detailed reports for the court to ensure that the impact of domestic abuse on the family as a whole and on the children in particular is fully appreciated and understood. Pathfinder IDVAs will be the ‘subject matter experts’ for the Court in relation to domestic abuse, and will offer advice and training to court officers and staff to promote the better understanding of the dynamics of domestic abuse within the Court setting.

The Pathfinder IDVAs will work with people from Sandwell, Walsall and Dudley areas whose cases are being heard in Wolverhampton or Telford Family Court.

If you are self-driven, conscientious, hardworking with lots of ambition we would love to hear from you.