Senior independent victim advocate jobs

Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA)  

 Location: London (On-site & Outreach Work) 
Contract: Full-time – [Fixed Term to March 2026 
Salary: £30,000 pa

Are you passionate about supporting survivors of domestic abuse? Do you have experience working with people with learning disabilities and autism? Respond is looking for a specialist Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) to join our trauma-informed team. 

About Us 

Respond is a specialist organisation dedicated to supporting people with learning disabilities and autism who have experienced abuse, trauma, and complex life challenges. We provide psychotherapy, advocacy, and specialist interventions for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. 

About the Role 

As an IDVA at Respond, you will provide high-quality, trauma-informed advocacy to survivors of domestic abuse, ensuring their safety and empowering them to rebuild their lives. You will conduct risk assessments (DASH), develop safety plans, and work closely with agencies such as social services, police, and housing. You will also play a key role in raising awareness and improving support for neurodivergent survivors. 

What You’ll Do 

Provide specialist, person-centred advocacy for survivors with learning disabilities and autism. 

 Undertake risk assessments and safety planning to enhance survivor well-being. 
Represent survivors at MARAC and multi-agency meetings, advocating for their needs. 
Work closely with social services, health professionals, and the criminal justice system. 
Deliver training and consultation to professionals on supporting neurodivergent survivors. 
Ensure accurate case management and uphold safeguarding responsibilities. 

What We’re Looking For 

IDVA qualification OR significant domestic abuse advocacy experience. 
Understanding of domestic abuse, coercive control, and trauma-informed practice. 
Experience working with survivors of domestic abuse, particularly those with learning disabilities and autism. 
Strong advocacy, case management, and multi-agency working skills. 
Ability to adapt communication styles to support neurodivergent clients. 
Knowledge of MARAC, safeguarding, and legal frameworks for domestic abuse cases. 

Why Join Us? 

Be part of a specialist, trauma-informed team making a real difference. 
Receive ongoing training and professional development. 
Work in a supportive and collaborative environment. 
Hybrid/flexible working options available. 

How to Apply 
If you’re ready to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you! Send your CV and a cover letter outlining how you meet the criteria by September 26th 2025

 Got questions? Get in touch at via Charity Job. 

Join us in creating a safer, more inclusive world for survivors of domestic abuse.

We have an exciting and challenging opportunity for a Team leader to join the National Homicide Service (HS) on a permanent basis, covering the North and North East of East of England, working 37.5 hours per week.

This role is home-based covering Northumberland, Newcastle, Stockton on Tees, Humberside, Durham, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire. You should live in one of these areas as regular travel is required.

Do you want to be part of a unique service providing the highest quality support to families bereaved by homicide and those who are eye-witness to homicide?

Do you want to lead a supportive, passionate and committed team?

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 & options to buy or sell annual leave
• Pension with 5% employer contribution
• Enhanced sick pay allowances, maternity & paternity payments
• High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment & leisure discounts
• Access to our financial wellbeing hub & salary deducted finance
• Employee assistance programme & wellbeing support
• Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes
• Cycle to work scheme & season ticket loans
• Ongoing training & support with opportunities for career development & progression

About the role:

You will lead and support a team of Homicide Family Caseworkers to meet VS and Homicide Service standards and contractual requirements. You will be able to demonstrate the excellent organisational skills essential to managing a demanding and diverse workload and will have experience of achieving key performance indicators, as set by the Operation managers and Deputy Head of Service.

We pride ourselves on providing exceptional trauma informed advocacy and support to all service users and you will have an understanding of the impact that trauma and bereavement can have on individuals. We support staff to keep them safe within their role and you will lead on the importance of personal and professional resilience and wellbeing for the team.

You will have excellent communication skills and will support the Operation Managers to maintain the highest standards of service delivery, across a widely geographically dispersed team. You will be prepared to travel across the geographical area including occasional overnight stays to ensure you can meet team members in person as well as online. A driving license and use of a car are both essential as well as access to public transport. You will be reimbursed for all travel costs.

You will also enjoy working closely with a range of stakeholders (including Police Family Liaison Officers and Senior Investigation Officers within the Major Crime teams/Social Services) and will have experience in building constructive working relationships, focused on delivering the best service for vulnerable service users. You should be a confident presenter, and able to share the service and work we do to inform, educate and encourage notifications and referrals into the service.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for full 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 may be required.

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.

If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.

Job Title: Trainee or Qualified Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) with an interest in working with children and young people (aged 16 - 25) who are at high risk of serious harm from domestic abuse

Locality: Oxfordshire

Salary: £27,000 - £29,000 depending on experience

Hours of work: 37 hrs per week

Notice: 2 calendar months 1 month during the Probationary period. Probationary 6 months

Accountable to: Service Manager of Reducing the Risk of Domestic Abuse, CEO ultimately the Board of Trustees

Context of post

Reducing the Risk of Domestic Abuse is a company and charity set up to:

• provide inclusive services that reduce the risk of domestic abuse and promote the safety, choices and welfare of those affected
• enhance awareness of the nature and prevalence of domestic violence and help to foster good practice and an integrated multi integrated approach.
• This post holder will be in the high-risk team and be managed by the Service Manager with support from the Senior IDVA.
• A structured training and induction programme is in place to ensure new staff members are knowledgeable, confident and comfortable with the role.
• After 6 months of experience, the applicant will attend the Safelives IDVA training.
• Workload will be adjusted and study time will be given for attendance at training.
• Salary will be uplifted on successful completion of the course.

Function

The first priority of the charity is to provide an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor Service for the county. The post holder will be a member of the IDVA team and provide a pro-active service to victims of domestic violence to keep them safe and promote their wellbeing. They will use their skills to assess the risk a client is in, deliver a service appropriate to the level of risk and have a particular focus on providing an intensive service to those at high risk. The post holder will have the skills to act as lead professional, working to ensure an integrated service and co-ordinating multi agency work to keep people safe, in addition to working with victims and signposting to other services.

Responsibilities:

• Work as part of the Oxfordshire IDVA team to provide pro-active service and advice to victims at high risk of harm from domestic abuse to keep them and their children safe
• Risk assess and deliver service in keeping with the result
• Undertake safety planning with clients
• Develop individual service plans to meet the specific risks clients face
• Where relevant also support victims in their role as primary carers for their children
• Manage a caseload
• Maintain and update records of all cases
• Keep other relevant services informed about important changes in client’s situation
• Support clients through the criminal justice system, explaining the procedures and their role and rights within that system
• Ensure that clients are immediately informed of any CJS developments and advised on any aspect affecting their safety
• Explain housing, civil and criminal legal options to clients
• Ensure that clients access the services to which they are entitled
• Refer on and arrange meetings with other agencies/services as necessary e.g. solicitors, benefit agencies, etc.
• Note and feedback to other agencies any consistent difficulties clients are having accessing their service
• Help clients develop their own support network
• Follow procedures and protocols so that the safety of the clients is kept central to any process
• Ensure Reducing the Risk fulfils its responsibilities in relation to safeguarding children
• Understand the legal framework relating to the protection of children, and the policy and procedures of Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children’s Board – including specific guidelines applied to the voluntary sector
• Participate in supervision and support systems for the service, and in training and professional development
• Bring casework issues and regular difficulties clients are having to the attention of the manager; contribute to efforts to improve Reducing the Risk practice and procedures and/or to work through multi agency partnerships to improve multi agency practice
• Any additional responsibilities as reasonably requested by the manager or trustees

The nature of this post will require flexibility to meet work needs as they arise. This may occassionally entail some work outside normal office hours. The post holder will be expected to adopt a flexible attitude to their duties. These may have to be varied after discussion, subject to the needs of the service and in keeping with the general profile of the post. There will also sometimes be a necessity to work effectively under pressure.

Appointment to the post will be subject to full enhanced DSB checks.

Full drivers licence with the use of a car for work

Ability to travel around the county

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person

About us

The Refugee Council is the nation’s refugee charity. Together with community groups, partners and volunteers, we help people who have escaped war and persecution to rebuild their lives, integrate into communities, and play their part in Britain. Born in the aftermath of World War II, our frontline services support over 14,000 refugees each year to find safety, get to know their neighbours, and enter education, training or work. We share our evidence and expertise with policymakers to help build integrated communities where everyone can contribute. 

Our Values

Our values underpin everything we do:

• Inclusive: We are inclusive. We work with - not for - refugees and people seeking asylum, so they have an equal voice, co-producing projects and ensuring their expertise and experiences are at the heart of what we do.
• Collaborative: We are collaborative. Working with others is a priority in order to have the collective impact that is vital to achieve policy and practice reform.
• Courageous: We speak out when we see injustice, cruelty and unfairness. We always stand up for what we believe is the right thing to do to transform the experiences of those seeking protection in our country.
• Respectful: We are respectful of all those we interact with. We treat everyone – our staff, volunteers, beneficiaries, partners and people we disagree with – with the same respect, professionalism and understanding.

About the role

The Refugee Council supports separated children across England and part of our service is a team of staff based at the port of Dover, working 24/7 to provide a temporary safeguarding service for children arriving there, ensuring that their basic needs are met while they await transfer to the care of a local authority. The unit is reactive to the needs of clients, who may arrive at any time, and staff are expected to cover a variety of shifts.

As a Support Worker, you will assess the basic needs of newly arrived clients and provide an appropriate service, including food, clothing, and access to hygiene facilities. You will work in the best interests of the child and ensure all safeguarding issues are responded to, reported and accurately recorded.

For full details about the role, please download the job description. 

Staff benefits

To reward our staff for the value they bring, we offer a variety of enhanced terms and conditions and a wide range of benefits, including:

• Training & Development
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Pension Scheme
• Work Life Balance Policies
• Employer-Sponsored Volunteering
• And more.

Let’s work together to improve the lives of refugees in the UK - apply on our website today.

Closing date: 19 September 2025.

This vacancy may close earlier than the stated deadline if a high volume of applications is received. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Ensuring that the Refugee Council is an inclusive and accessible place to work is important to us. We want to enable people from different backgrounds to apply and thrive with us. We believe our recruitment process enables that and are also happy to make adjustments on request.

Executive Director

£60,000-£65,000

Full time and permanent
London N7 and flexible hybrid working

The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) is an independent charity established in 1967. For over 57 years, we have promoted our vision of a society in which people can live safely and are treated with equal dignity and respect, regardless of where they are from or how they came to the UK.

To achieve this, we provide legal advice, representation and holistic support to migrants experiencing injustice, poverty, and discrimination; we undertake parliamentary advocacy and expert policy analysis; we speak out and challenge damaging and discriminatory media narratives about immigration; we use law as a tool of resistance;  we work in solidarity with migrants and grassroots groups, and we build campaigns that both build power and influence power; working towards radically transforming immigration and asylum law and policy.

JCWI has been through a period of transition over recent years, with pressures on the organisation, its staff, capacity, and resources increased by successive political attacks on migrant communities, the eroding of migrants’ rights through legal and policy change, the rise of the far-right in the UK and the widening gap between the rich and powerful and Britain’s multi-racial working class.

It is in this context that JCWI is seeking an empathetic and collaborative leader given we are in a time of immense political upheaval both in the UK and across borders. We need someone who can unite us towards a refreshed collective resistance to increasingly unfettered state and corporate power.

The successful candidate is likely to have a sound grasp of the key issues JCWI works on and the political climate in which the organisation operates, to provide confident leadership and strategic guidance to all teams, and to maintain and build relationships with key stakeholders.  This includes setting and reviewing the organisation's objectives within the framework of the five-year strategy, developing and reviewing the annual business plan and fundraising plan, maintaining JCWl's relationships with trusts, foundations, and other key partners, and acting as one of the lead spokespeople for the organisation in the media and elsewhere.

JCWI has a proud history of leadership from racialised people and people with lived experience of the immigration system, and therefore we strongly encourage applications from people with lived experience of the immigration system and those who are representative of the communities we work with. We also welcome applications from anyone who has faced marginalisation or oppression, including people of colour, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, disabled people, and/or people who are working class or from working class backgrounds.

How to Apply

Application is by way of CV with a Supporting Statement of no more than two sides of A4, that should set out your motivations for applying and outlines your suitability for the role as set out in the job description as well as how you meet the person specification.

Closing date: Midnight, Wednesday 1st October

First interview: Week commencing 13th October

Second interview: Week commencing 20th October

Final stage: Meet the team w/c 27 October (shortlisted candidates)