Independent Domestic Violence Advisor

We have an exciting opportunity for an IDVA immigration Specialist to join the Lancashire team 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 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
• Pension with 5% employer contribution
• Enhanced sick pay allowances, maternity & paternity payments
• High Street, retail, holiday, entertainment & leisure discounts
• Access to our financial wellbeing hub & salary deducted finance
• Employee assistance programme & wellbeing support
• Ongoing training & support with opportunities for career development & progression

About the role:

We are looking for someone with experience of working with victims of domestic abuse, preferably with knowledge of/interest in immigration issues to join our team at Lancashire Victim Services. The role will be based in one of our offices (Blackpool, Preston or Accrington) are will require travel across Lancashire meaning that a driving license and access to a vehicle is a requirement for the role. You will be eligible to apply for Hybrid working (2 days per week from home) after successful completion of your probation.

As an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (immigration specialist) you will:

• Provide intensive case management on a 121 basis with victims of Domestic Abuse
• Manage a caseload of around 25 - 30 cases

• Support high risk victims of domestic abuse leading on cases for those with insecure immigration status

• Be a subject matter expert on immigration

• Engage with local services to set up referral pathways & drop in/outreach sessions

You will need: -

• An understanding of domestic abuse, risk assessment and risk management preferably with an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor accreditation. However, if you have experience but have not completed the accreditation then you must be willing to undertake the appropriate training.
• Knowledge of immigration issues, preferably with OISC level 1 qualification or a willingness to undertake this training.
• The ability to build relationships with key stakeholders and develop multi-agency responses to support and reduce the harm to victims.
• The ability to appropriately challenge and advocate on behalf of victims in order to achieve positive outcomes and reduce the risks posed to victims
• To be flexible, adaptable and highly resilient.
• Ability to use IT applications

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

About Us:

Victim Support (VS) is an independent charity providing a range of specialist services to people who have been affected by crime across England and Wales. We work towards a world where there are fewer victims but who have stronger rights, better support and a real influence in the Criminal Justice System. Everyone at VS is driven by our Vision Ambitions and Values to play their part in making a difference for those who experience crime and traumatic events.

Working for VS gives you the opportunity to play a key role in a national charity providing high quality services to victims and witnesses and being a vital force for change. 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 will be required and you will need to pass police vetting.

Victim Support strives to represent the diverse communities we serve and are passionate about creating an environment where all staff and volunteers feel respected and heard. Being a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture is integral to us being able to meet our aim of ensuring that anyone who is a victim of crime gets the support they need. As part of our commitment to the Race at Work Charter we particularly welcome applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

VS is also a Disability Confident Employer and we provide a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates that are disabled and meet all essential criteria for a role. If you have a disability, a learning difficulty such as dyslexia or a medical condition which you believe may affect your performance during any aspect of our selection process, we'll be happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to perform at your best.

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 look forward to hearing from you.

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.