Independent domestic violence advisor jobs in East of england
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Be part of something new. Be a voice. Build change.
We are looking for motivated, value-driven advocates to join a new, innovative community-based Gender-Based Abuse service in Southwark. This is not a traditional domestic abuse support role. You will support people of all genders affected by gender-based abuse and help shape a service built around prevention, creativity, and community voice. The ethos of the service is to ensure that we are front facing and out in the community to meet clients in spaces that are safe and accessible, as well as our offices.
The Role
We are looking for three people in total:
2 x IGVAs: You will work directly with people in community settings, carrying out risk and needs assessments, creating safety plans, and using trauma-informed and coaching approaches. You’ll be part of a fast-paced, dynamic team working in new and flexible ways.
1 x ISVA: You will work with individuals impacted by sexual abuse and VAWG.
As this is a community-based role, candidates will need to be flexible, confident working across different settings, and understand how to be engaging and approachable.
About You
We’re looking for people who are:
- Confident, reliable, and proactive
- Creative, solutions-focused, and adaptable
- Strong at building rapport
- Comfortable engaging with young people and diverse communities
- Flexible in their approach and passionate about working within community settings
Experience in VAWG, domestic abuse, sexual violence, safeguarding, or working with young people is helpful, but your mindset, values, and reliability matter most. Full training and support will be provided.
If you want purpose, challenge, and the chance to help build something new, this role is for you.
How to apply
If you are interested in applying, please see the attached:
1 – Download a copy of our standard application form
2 – Return a completed copy to by email or by post to the address on the form.
3 – Include a covering letter up to 2 pages long, explaining how you meet the Person Specification for the role.
Deadline for applications is midnight, Sunday 14th June 2026.
Interviews will be held on 22nd and 23rd June 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a short-written test on the day of interview.
Bede works with children and adults at risk of harm, and we have Safer Recruitment policies and procedures in place to ensure that they are protected from abuse. These roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check.
This post is open to women only as this is considered to be a Genuine Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9, Part 1, of the Equality Act (2010).
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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 Chelsea and Westminster 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
We are currently looking for an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) to join the Drive team in London, working 37.5 hours a week. This role involves both face to face and virtual support in a hybrid model of working, you will work from home, Victim Support Office at Singer Street.
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…
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 based in London with hybrid working. As a DRIVE Independent Domestic Violence Advocate you will:
- Implement effective ways of working with victims and those supporting them to increase safety and reduce harm.
- Provide a high-quality, front-line service to victims of domestic abuse, delivering a premium service prioritised according to risk, primarily focusing on victim/survivors aged 16+
- 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.
You will need:
- knowledge of help-seeking barriers and support needs of victims of domestic abuse (in heterosexual or same-sex relationships).
- an understanding of domestic abuse including the impact of domestic abuse on victims and their children.
- knowledge of risk assessment, safety planning and risk management for victims of domestic abuse and their children
- to understand safeguarding issues, and the legal responsibilities surrounding these issues.
- experience of direct service delivery to victims of domestic abuse or other vulnerable people.
- good communication, negotiation and advocacy skills, both written and verbal when interacting with a range of agencies and individuals. Understand and be committed to equal opportunities and diversity issues in policy and practice.
- strong crisis management skills and the ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations.
Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.
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.


