Independent domestic violence advocate jobs
We are looking for a Senior Independent Domestic Violence Advocate who is passionate about supporting male victim/survivors of abuse to join our unique specialist housing support project (Ashraya Project) for Male victims of domestic abuse. The role is a hybrid working role based at our London office close to Old Street tube station with travel throughout London as required.
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.
- 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.
- Practice Support: Clinical supervision and group reflective practice
You will:
Effectively manage and provide a pro-active, high quality frontline service to male victims of domestic abuse. You will work within a multi-agency framework consisting of MARAC and multi-agency partners when required. This role requires a specialist understanding of the barriers faced by male victims of domestic abuse and harmful practices. We particularly welcome applicants who are male, as they are under-represented in the provision of support to domestic abuse victim survivors.
Key Responsibilities:
- Effectively manage and develop a high quality, innovative and pro-active domestic abuse service for victims and their children, including those at highest risk
- Ensure that the service prioritises the safety, security and dignity of service users and their children
- Be the lead in crisis situations and provide advice and guidance on safeguarding issues and information sharing concerns.
- The role will work collaboratively with the Management team, in order to achieve the implementation of the business plan and the development of the service to maximise positive outcomes for clients.
- Manage a small team, conducting supervision and case reviews to ensure safe practice.
- Carry a caseload, supporting male domestic abuse victim/survivors to increase their safety.
- Develop relationships with partner agencies in this area.
About You:
Ideally, you will have knowledge of migration and asylum routes and the procedures for applying for refugee/asylum status in the UK, legal remedies for domestic abuse victims and have experience of working with housing, homelessness, drug, alcohol, mental health issues and have an understanding of the benefit system.
You will need:
- Experience of supporting people in vulnerable situations, having worked with victims of domestic violence & abuse.
- Knowledge of safeguarding issues, legal responsibilities and GDPR & data protection regulations.
- Have strong crisis management skills to support staff dealing with stressful and difficult situations
- Experience of managing a team delivering front line support to victims or domestic abuse or vulnerable people to a high standard
- A passion for working with male victim/survivors
- Experience of working with housing agencies or in a housing setting is advantageous
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.
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!
Would you like to make a lasting difference in the lives of children affected by domestic abuse? Join an award-winning trauma recovery service provider that is passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of children and families.
Bounce Back for Kids (BB4K) is a lifeline for children healing from the trauma of domestic abuse. From April next year, we’re expanding our service and looking for new Support Workers to join our team – helping guide children and families on their healing journey.
Position: Bounce Back for Kids (BB4K) Support Worker
Location: Homebased with frequent travel. Role covers casework activity across Oxfordshire area including Cherwell, West Oxfordshire and the wider Oxfordshire area.
Contract: Permanent part time – 18.5 hours per week, weekdays.
We’re open to discussing working patterns that match both your needs and our service delivery. We’re also open to discussing an opportunity for 24 hours.
Salary range: £12,868 - £15,727 pro-rata per annum (full time equivalent range £25,735 - £31,453 per annum)
About the role:
As a Support Worker you will play a significant role in supporting children and families affected by domestic abuse, some of your key responsibilities will include:
· the completion of assessments to understand the needs of families
· delivering group work for children and parents
· provide 1-2-1 sessions to children and families most in need
· supporting our families through providing outreach support
About you:
A successful Support Worker will need a good understanding of domestic abuse and the impact on children and families (or an interest in working in this field), with experience of delivering groupwork programmes for vulnerable parents and/or children.
If this sounds like you please apply today to join a collaborative and dedicated team who are part of something truly meaningful.
We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including those with personal lived experience of domestic abuse or from underrepresented communities, who meet the essential role requirements.
For more information about our BB4K service please visit our website where you will also find contact details and information about how to apply.
Closing date: 9am, Fri 27 February 2026
Early applications are encouraged as we may review and appoint on an earlier basis if a successful candidate is secured.
Other roles you may have experience of could include: Family Support Worker, Family Key Worker, Children’s Support Worker, Domestic Abuse Support Worker, Domestic Abuse Key Worker, Recovery Worker, Assistant Support Worker, IDVA Independent Domestic Violence Advocate, ISVA Independent Sexual Violence Advocate, etc.
Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do at PACT. We have robust measures and best practices in place to safeguard and protect the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we take pride in maintaining outstanding safeguarding standards.
Anyone joining our team is subject to PACT’s safer recruitment pre-appointment enquiries, including a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS). The role description provides information on what our safer recruitment enquiries include and the level of DBS required to work in the role.
All opportunities with PACT are based in the UK.
an adoption charity and family support provider helping hundreds of families every year through outstanding adoption and adoption support services

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We have an exciting opportunity for an Safe Accommodation Independent Domestic Violence Advisor to join the New Era team working 37.5 hours per week. The role will focus on the identifying risk and meeting the needs of those affected by domestic abuse. The role will be Pan Staffordshire and travel across Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire is essential.
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 will work across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent, but will be based in our Stafford office. Hybrid working is considered following our mandatory six month probationary period. Travel across the whole of Staffordshire will be required.
As an IDVA you will be asked to:
- Provide 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 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
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.
We have an exciting opportunity for an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor covering the Stoke Area to join the New Era team working 37.5 hours per week. The role will focus on the identifying risk and meeting the needs of those affected by domestic abuse. The role will be covering the Tamworth area but travel across Staffordshire will be required.
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 will work across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent, but will be based in our Stafford office. Hybrid working is considered following our mandatory six month probationary period. Travel across the whole of Staffordshire will be required.
As an IDVA you will be asked to:
- Provide 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 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
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.
About the role
This role builds on work that we have been doing for decades to support and empower LGBT people who have experienced abuse or violence. Your work will enable TNBI people to feel supported, heard and empowered in the face of abuse and violence, and pave the way to a safer future for our community.
You will be joining our advocacy and support team, supporting TNBI survivors across the UK. You will work directly with TNBI victims/survivors, offering them a space to talk and think through options, helping them plan what they want to do, and offering assistance in getting what they need from services. Your work will focus on needs specifically related to experiences of abuse or violence, including issues such as wellbeing, support with the criminal and civil justice process, safety and access to other services to enable survivors to cope and recover. You will be empathetic and thoughtful in your approach to understanding your clients’ needs, while remaining boundaried and mindful of self-care.
You will work with mainstream services to ensure the voices and experiences of TNBI survivors are represented in order to make change for our community at a local and national level. You will also work closely with key partner organisations by attending meetings and have the opportunity to take part in external work to ensure a joined-up approach among services working with LGBT people facing abuse and violence.
Location: Galop’s offices are located in London. This role will be hybrid working, with both home working and working from the office.
Hours: Full Time (35 hours per week)
Contract: Until 31 March 2027 (extension subject to funding)
Reports to: Senior TNBI Independent Victim Advocate
Salary: You will start on scale point F1, £31,986.91 per year (including London Weighting of £4,212.01).
Closing Date
Applications should be submitted by 10am on 11th February 2026.
Interviews will be held on 19th and 20th February 2026.
REF-226 154
We are recruiting for a IDVA to join our team in Hertfordshire; the scope on this job involves….
Job Title: IDVA
Location: Hertfordshire
Salary: £28,857.12 per annum
Contract type: Full-time, Permanent
Hours: 37.5
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 to supporting women and children who are impacted by domestic violence. You will work closely with victims of domestic abuse from the point of crisis, to provide high quality independent advocacy and support to survivors of domestic abuse at the highest risk and their children.
As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota.
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.
Closing date: 9.00am on 9 February 2026
Interview date: 16 February 2026
Benefits
Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.
We are recruiting for a IDVA to join our team in Wandsworth; the scope on this job involves….
Job Title: IDVA
Location: Wandsworth
Salary: £28,857.12 per annum
Contract type: Full-time, Permanent
Hours: 37.5
Refuge is recruiting an Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate (IDVA) to join our Enhanced Support Outreach Team, focusing on supporting clients living in Wandsworth.
The IDVA will provide high quality, trauma informed independent advocacy and support to survivors of domestic abuse, and additionally face multiple disadvantages in accessing support service across Wandsworth. Funded by MOPAC (Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime), this post focuses on improving access to justice, safety and holistic support for individuals affected by domestic abuse, including those navigating the criminal justice system.
We are looking for someone who is passionate, committed and cares about the work Refuge undertakes. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of domestic abuse and the impact this has on survivors and their children. They will be able to work under pressure to effectively manage risk and provide needs-led support to clients with a variety of support needs.
Refuge is the UK’s largest provider of specialist services, and we are proud to be a leader in our field and an employer of choice, with leading edge systems for supervision, quality management and development. This is an opportunity to join a brand-new service and improve the local multi agency partnership to recognise, reject and respond to all forms of gender-based abuse.
Closing date: 9.00am on 3 February 2026
Interview date: 12 February 2026
Benefits
Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.
We are recruiting for a IGVA to join our team in Athena Lewisham; the scope on this job involves….
Job Title: IGVA
Location: Athena Lewisham
Salary: £28,857.12 per annum
Contract type: Full-time, Permanent
Hours: 37.5
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 Gender Violence Advocate (IGVA) to supporting women and children who are impacted by domestic violence. You will work closely with victims of domestic abuse from the point of crisis, to provide high quality independent advocacy and support to survivors of domestic abuse at the highest risk and their children.
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.
Closing date: 9.00am on 11 February 2026
Interview date: 20 February 2026
Benefits
Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.
The Advocacy Team Leader is a key operational leadership role responsible for the day-to-day delivery, coordination, and quality assurance of Respond’s specialist ISVA and advocacy services for autistic people and people with learning disabilities affected by sexual violence, trauma, or abuse.
This role combines operational leadership, case allocation and triage, supervision and quality oversight, alongside holding a small caseload of complex cases. You will help ensure high-quality, trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming advocacy in line with ISVA national minimum standards, safeguarding requirements and contract outcomes.
The Team Leader plays a central role in embedding trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming practice, supporting safe and reflective decision-making, and representing Respond in key operational and steering forums and working groups. And plays a vital role in building a culture of safe, accountable, and reflective practice and in ensuring advocacy services are delivered with care, consistency, and impact.
An accredited ISVA qualification is essential.
This advert closes at midnight Thursday 18th February 2026 and interviews will be held Tuesday 24th February 2026.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Job Title: Eastern European IGVA
Location:Hybrid working with a requirement to occasionally work at Head Office (Vauxhall, London) and co-locations in three West London boroughs (Ealing, Brent, Hounslow)
Salary: £28,857.12 per annum (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement)
Contract type: Permanent, Full-time
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
We are excited to share an opportunity to join Refuge as an Eastern European Independent Gender Violence Advocate (IGVA) as we enter an important new chapter of growth, supported by funding from the National Lottery Community Fund. This is a vital role which provides high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic abuse and their children in the community.
You will be part of a highly skilled and supportive team committed to collaborative working and continuous learning. This role offers the chance to strengthen multi-agency partnerships to enhance outreach and support for survivors, while also contributing to increasing professional understanding of the specific needs of Eastern European women and children affected by domestic abuse and violence.
You will provide capacity-building in the form of advice, advocacy, support, and briefings across three London boroughs to statutory agencies and community organizations around the needs of Eastern European domestic abuse survivors, to embed best practice across our communities.
It is essential for candidates to be proficient in one or more Eastern European languages.
We particularly encourage applications from Romanian, Lithuanian or Polish speaking candidates.
You will have proven experience of providing direct emotional and practical support to women as well as up-to-date knowledge of legislation relating to survivors of gender-based violence.
You will have excellent casework skills, good written and verbal communication skills, clear professional boundaries and be a proactive team player.
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.
Closing date: 9:00am on 9 February 2026
Interview dates: 16 and 17 February 2026
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are recruiting for a Housing Advocate to join our team in Hertfordshire; the scope on this job involves….
Job Title: Housing Advocate
Location: Hertfordshire
Salary: £28,857.12 per annum
Contract type: Full-time, Permanent
Hours: 37.5
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 a Housing Advocate to support women and children who are impacted by domestic abuse. You will work closely with victims of domestic abuse from the point of crisis, to provide high quality independent advocacy and support to survivors of domestic abuse at the highest risk and their children.
As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota.
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.
Closing date: 9.00am on 13 February 2026
Interview date: 23 February 2026
Benefits
Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.
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!
Overview
FearFree delivers services across the Southwest for victims, children and perpetrators of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking with the aim to break the cycle of abuse and support all to live free from fear. We provide trauma responsive support, and this post will be fundamental to ensuring service users, stakeholders and partners experience this in our daily delivery.
This ISAC role is set within the Wiltshire Domestic Abuse service, providing specialist stalking advice, consultancy and support to high risk victims of domestic abuse stalking across Wiltshire. You will be working in a multiagency environment including police, other statutory bodies and third sector organisations to respond to and safeguard high risk victims, bridging gaps in their support.
FearFree is committed to flexible and hybrid working and this role will be a mix of home based and office based, alongside requiring travel for multi-agency meetings and other deliverables.
This role may include evening and weekend work when required.
Key Responsibilities
- Work with high risk victims of domestic abuse stalking, providing a targeted service, promoting safety as the central issue and thus reducing the risk of serious harm or death.
- To provide this service both at time of crisis and in longer term e.g. safety planning, risk assessing advocacy, support through the criminal justice/civil legal process and liaison with other statutory and voluntary agencies.
- Complete specialist risk assessments (SASH and DASH).
- Manage a caseload ensuring each person receives the appropriate service individual to their risk and needs.
- Provide proactive, trauma responsive and holistic support, with a focus on increasing safety and reducing risk.
- Work with criminal justice agencies as well as a variety of partners including Victim Support, Children’s Social Care and Housing, to ensure a comprehensive approach to risk.
- Provide specialist advocacy to victims going through the criminal justice process.
- Attend Multi Agency meetings (Stalking Clinic) and Multi-agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC) and Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) meetings as required.
- Give information and support to those experiencing stalking, enabling and empowering them to make positive choices about options available to them and assist them in regaining control of their lives.
- Support other agencies in the identification and referral of stalking issues via promotion of service and institutional advocacy.
- Offer professional consultancy, training and advice to other agencies on stalking.
- Respect and value the diversity of the community in which the services works in, and recognise the needs and concerns of a diverse range of survivors ensuring the service is accessible to all.
- Support colleagues and Head of Service to monitor data and report on quality outcomes.
Application
To apply, please download the full job description/person specification along with the application and equality monitoring forms. Please send the completed application form and optional equality monitoring form direct to FearFree.
There is no specific closing date for this role and this vacancy will close once a suitable candidate is found, so early applications are encouraged.
For information about the processing of your personal data at FearFree, please visit our website.
FearFree is committed to encouraging equality and diversity in the workplace. We strive to be a diverse and inclusive place to work where we can all be ourselves and individual differences are recognised and valued.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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!
We are looking for a new Independent Sexual Violence Advisor to join our team in providing advocacy and support to survivors of rape/sexual violence and sexual abuse.The ISVA will be based in our central Reading office, with the option of hybrid working. ISVAs will need to travel within Thames Valley to meet clients as required.
Main Purpose of the Role:
To provide advocacy and support to survivors of sexual violence. The ISVA will support adults who have reported or are wishing to report this crime navigate the criminal justice system. The ISVA will work closely with the Police Service, Sexual Assault Referral Centre, CPS, and other relevant organisations.
ISVA Main Duties
· Provide advice, guidance and information to adults who have experienced rape and sexual abuse.
· Support service users that have been referred to Trust House Reading.
· Support clients in making informed choices about their future options.
· Explain relevant criminal, legal and civil remedies and housing options to clients as required.
· Assess the risk and support needs of clients.
· Develop individual support plans to address risks /support needs of clients.
· Ensure that clients are aware of the services to which they are entitled and advocate for them to help them access services.
· Understand the legal framework relating to the protection of children and vulnerable adults including the policy and procedures in relation to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
· Support ISVA clients through the criminal justice system, explaining the procedures and their role and rights within that system, referring to Victim Support or the Witness Care Service as appropriate.
· Support the service user in making a witness statement and attending court.
· Keep the service user informed about case progress on behalf of the police in line with the requirements of the Service Code of Practice.
· Participate in case conferences with the police, CPS and prosecuting barrister.
· Assist clients accessing special measures.
· Liaise with the police, CPS and other service providers on behalf of the service user.
· Provide information and support in relation to Criminal Injuries Compensation.
· Help clients to develop their own support network.
· Refer on and arrange meetings with other agencies/services as necessary, for instance, sexual health services, mental health, drug and alcohol, counselling, housing etc.
· Actively and positively engage with other voluntary sector agencies, including sexual violence specialist agencies e.g. domestic violence service outreach, IDVA and refuge providers.
· Maintain and update records of all cases including initial referral, risk assessment, subsequent risk assessment, care and safety plans, and action taken.
· To understand and assess other support needs of clients, for example translation or interpretation needs and be fully aware of available resources.
· Where an assault is related to domestic violence and the client is assessed as high risk, refer on to Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) following locally agreed protocols (including working proactively with the Independent Domestic Violence Advisor Service), attend and participate in meetings and follow-up on actions agreed in MARAC.
· Contribute to the development of policies, protocols, guidelines, strategies within practice area if necessary.
· Collate areas of service gap and service inadequacy to feed back to the commissioner and the relevant strategic groups.
· Note and feed back to the commissioner and the relevant strategic groups or other appropriate body any consistent difficulties clients are having accessing services.
ISVA Person Specification
Essential:
· Educated to A-level standard.
· Experience of working with vulnerable clients.
· Knowledge of the impact of rape/sexual violence and sexual abuse on service.
· Knowledge of the criminal justice system for survivors of rape and sexual abuse.
· Understanding of the principles of risk assessment and safety planning.
· Pro-active.
· Empathic, with a non-judgmental approach.
· A good listener.
· Strong crisis management skills.
· Understanding of the process of seeking help and barriers to seeking help.
· Good written and verbal communication skills.
· Ability to work on own without close supervision.
· Ability to manage caseload and work priorities.
· Ability to share sensitive information, adhering to protocols.
· Understanding of child protection and safeguarding issues and legal responsibilities.
· Willingness to undertake regular training.
· Willingness and ability to work with clients of all genders.
· Commitment to continued professional development.
· Knowledge of and commitment to diversity issues.
· Ability to work safely and within boundaries.
· Completed accredited ISVA training course (or equivalent) or willingness to complete the training.
· Willingness and ability to travel across the Thames Valley when necessary.
· Computer literate: word-processing, emailing, data collection/spreadsheets.
· Ability and willingness to work in partnership and as part of a team.
Desirable:
· Professional qualification in social work or related field.
· Current full driving license and own vehicle.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Independent Domestic & Sexual Violence Adviser (IDSVA) to join the team in Cumbria, 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:
We are looking for an Independent Domestic & Sexual Violence Advisor (IDSVA) to be based in our Cumbria team.
This is a 37.5 hour post. The aim of this role is to provide initial contact to victims of Domestic and/or Sexual abuse & provide ongoing support to victims and survivors referred to our Independent Sexual Violence service (ISVA).
As an IDSVA you will be:
- Providing a high quality support and advocacy service to victims of domestic and/or sexual abuse.
- Managing a caseload; identifying and assessing risks and needs, providing a tailored crisis intervention service through individual safety planning, advocacy, emotional and practical support.
- Working with other agencies and advocating on behalf of service users in order to help them access services to keep them safe.
- Working within a multi-agency framework consisting of partners as well as MARAC and other local partnerships to offer a coordinated response to domestic abuse.
- Promoting the service and raise awareness of domestic abuse across the support sector.
You will need:
- Experience of working in support and advocacy with victims of domestic and/or sexual abuse is advantageous
- To be able to prioritise work and deal with competing or conflicting demands/needs and interests and promote organisation interests and values.
- To ideally hold a SafeLives IDVA accreditation, relevant degree, vocational qualification or relevant experience of delivering a service and working with domestic and/or sexual abuse victim's/service users in a statutory, voluntary or community work setting.
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.
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.


