Independent Domestic Violence Advocate

** PLEASE NOTE - This role is available immediately. Please apply via this job advert if you are looking for either short term (1 or 2 months whilst we recruit a permenant candidate) work OR a permenant position**

We are looking to welcome an experienced IDVA to our friendly and energetic team to support women experiencing domestic abuse. If you are ready to empower women to move forward with your lives, we would love to hear from you.

You will be providing trauma-informed, specialist support for women with complex needs through risk assessments, safety planning, individual advice sessions and advocacy in court and with other statutory services.

Duties:

To provide advice and advocacy for women experiencing domestic abuse by offering crisis intervention, information and support for those who have been referred via MARAC due to domestic or sexual abuse or violence or any other recognised intimate violence against women and girls.

To devise emergency safety plans for survivors, liaising with social services, the Housing Inclusion and Support Team, other VCSE organisations and refuges to secure emergency housing if needed.

To provide targeted support where women have mental health, substance misuse, complex needs or face other challenges. Where needed, refer to appropriate support services if the survivor has support needs or requires a specialist service, e.g. male survivor to Respect or GALOP, frail older people to Adult Social Services.

To carry out risk assessments of women for referrals to MARAC where applicable

To develop effective links and partnerships with police and the courts and provide information, advice and support to survivors going through the legal process, explaining the effectiveness of criminal and civil sanctions available.

To comply with safeguarding requirements relating to children and vulnerable adults and explain the safeguarding requirements to the survivor.

Maintain and update accurate written and computer records of all cases and share a summary of this information with managers, ensuring that data protection (GDPR) regulations are followed, (within the organisation as well as when communicating with partner organisations).

To maintain contact with the survivor at regular (timely) intervals to provide support and ensure her safety, including updates of the risk assessment and safety plan.

To respond within the bounds of confidentiality (GDPR), to requests from other agencies for consultations or facilitate direct contact between agencies and service users.

To participate in multi-agency workings parties and focus groups, when requested to do so by the Director or your manager.

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To attend team meetings, relevant meetings with trustees and to be part of Her Centre outreach marketing plan

To take on other tasks as appropriate as requested by managers or the Trustees

Benefits of working at Her Centre

- A lovely team!

- 1 personal "wellbeing hour" a week

- 1 day per week work from home

- 5% pension contribution

Please note: Due to the intensive and sensitive nature of the support involved, this post is open to women only, as permitted under Section 7(2)(e) of the Sex Discrimination Act.