Independent Domestic Violence Advisor

We are looking for a proactive, resilient and compassionate Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) to join our team supporting Victims & Survivors on a hybrid basis working both at home and from our office in Shoreham-by-Sea that may require regular travel throughout Sussex.

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 frontline services to support medium-risk victims of domestic abuse and work within a multi-agency framework to complete risk assessments, safety planning and offer advocacy & practical support.

Key tasks include:

• Assessing risks and needs using evidence-based checklists.
• Delivering tailored support and information.
• Working with other agencies and advocating on behalf of service users in order to help them access services to keep them safe.
• Understanding legal frameworks for protecting children and vulnerable adults.
• Providing advocacy on legal, housing, health, and financial options.
• Empowering clients to recognise domestic abuse dynamics.
• Participating in Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC) when required.
• Working with a team to deliver respectful, dignified, and sensitive services.
• Maintaining accurate and confidential case records.
• Complying with data protection laws and organisational policies.
• Staying updated with procedures, policies, and professional codes.

About You

You will need:

• Experience of working in support and advocacy with victims of domestic abuse is advantageous
• Experience managing caseloads; identifying and assessing risks and needs, providing a tailored service through individual safety planning, advocacy, emotional and practical support.
• 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 abuse victim's/service users in a statutory, voluntary or community work setting. Additional training will be provided to achieve SafeLives IDVA accreditation if not currently held.
• Strong understanding of domestic abuse and its impact.
• Demonstrate proficiency in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Commitment to equal opportunities and diversity.

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.