MASH Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA)

Location: Milton Keynes Centre
Hours: 37.5 per week
Salary: £25,233 (unqualified) / £26,247 (qualified) per annum (pro rata)
Contract: Fixed term until 31 March 2025
Closing Date: 4.11.2025

About Us

MK Act is a long-established domestic abuse charity with over 50 years’ experience supporting individuals and families across Milton Keynes. We provide safety, refuge, advocacy and long-term support, helping survivors rebuild their lives with dignity and security.

We are seeking a highly motivated and resilient Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) to join our team within the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). You will identify domestic abuse concerns at the earliest point, complete risk assessments, and ensure survivors receive timely, trauma-informed, coordinated safeguarding support. This role suits someone calm under pressure, confident managing complex risk and committed to effective multi-agency working.

Why Join Us?

• Make a direct impact on the safety and wellbeing of survivors
• Collaborative, specialist multi-agency environment
• Accredited training and professional development opportunities
• 25 days’ annual leave (pro rata) + bank holidays
• Additional paid birthday leave
• Free annual eye test
• Opportunity to contribute to an expanding charity

Key Responsibilities

Service Delivery

• Provide specialist advice, information and follow-up support to survivors.
• Complete risk assessments and develop tailored safety and support plans.
• Deliver crisis intervention, safety planning and risk management.
• Support access to refuge accommodation as required.
• Explain housing, civil and criminal justice options to support informed decisions.
• Maintain accurate, confidential case records.
• Strengthen survivors’ support networks and ensure coordinated multi-agency responses.
• Attend and contribute to MARAC and child protection meetings, producing reports where required.
• Manage a small caseload alongside wider MASH duties.

Partnership Working

• Provide expert domestic abuse guidance to MASH and Children’s Services professionals.
• Promote awareness of domestic abuse and MK Act services.
• Attend partnership and inter-agency meetings.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with partner agencies.
• Contribute to monitoring, data collection and service evaluation.

Safeguarding & Compliance

• Work in line with MK Together, MK Act and local safeguarding procedures.
• Follow GDPR, confidentiality and data protection requirements.
• Attend supervision, training and team meetings.
• Support the organisation in maintaining national accreditation standards.

About You

You will thrive in this role if you are confident working with complex safeguarding situations, able to prioritise under pressure and committed to ensuring survivors receive effective, timely protection.

Essential

• Strong understanding of domestic abuse and its impact on survivors and children.
• Experience providing direct support to vulnerable individuals.
• Experience completing risk assessments and developing safety plans.
• Confidence working within multi-agency safeguarding frameworks.
• Excellent communication, advocacy and record-keeping skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable

• Experience as an IDVA, caseworker or in a safeguarding role.
• Knowledge of criminal justice processes.
• Experience delivering training or briefings to professionals.
• Understanding of accredited or quality-assured service standards.