Independent Domestic Violence Advisor

We have an exciting opportunity for an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor to join the team in Rochdale, 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

This role is office based in Rochdale Police Station and the ideal candidate will be based 3 days per week with Victim Support and a couple of days with external agencies who deliver direct support to children.

As an IDVA you will:

• provide pro-active, high quality, frontline service to victims of domestic violence & 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.
• work with survivors to ensure they have on-going support to manage their safety

Key tasks will include:

• Identify & assess risks and needs of domestic abuse victims using an evidence-based risk checklist.
• Focus on & prioritise high risk cases providing a pro-active, short to medium term crisis intervention service, through individual safety planning, advocacy, emotional and practical support.
• Working with high risk victims of domestic abuse assisting them in accessing services to keep them and their family safe.
• Developing individual safety plans to meet client's needs as identified in the needs and risk assessment.
• Providing advocacy, emotional and practical support and information to victims including exploration of legal and civil options, housing, health and finance and support clients through the criminal justice system.
• Empowering clients to recognise the features and dynamics of domestic abuse present in their situation.
• Providing long-term support to victims of domestic violence & abuse, who's ex partners are attending the Drive perpetrator programme.

You will need

• A good understanding of domestic abuse & its impact.
• To understand risk assessment, safety planning & risk management for victims of domestic abuse
• Knowledge of Safeguarding & legal responsibilities relating to this.
• Theoretical, practical & procedural knowledge of civil and criminal justice remedies for victims of domestic abuse.
• Experience of direct service delivery to victims of domestic abuse or other vulnerable people.

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.