Substance misuse idva jobs

Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!

We are looking for a Social Care IDVA

Salary: £26,000 - £32,000

Location: 4 days located across Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Social Care with 1 day per week remote working

Contract: Fixed term – March 2026 (with the view to extend)

Hours p/w: 35 hours per week

This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010. Please note: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

About us

Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community.

We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies.

Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

About the role:

The Social Care IDVA will work within a dynamic, fast paced, crisis intervention, advocacy, and support service to ensure the voice of survivors informs every stage of the process, specialising in working with women whose families are involved with Family Children Services and risk to children is a factor. You will work to make proactive contact and provide high quality advocacy and support based upon a client led needs and risk assessment to women, focusing on working with those aged 18 and over who access the domestic abuse service. This role is part advocacy, part training/education and project work to improve response to victim/survivors experiencing domestic abuse. You will be embedded in the local authority Family Children Services team, working with Social Care professionals to ensure they adopt a trauma informed approach, can recognise the dynamics of domestic abuse and are providing more holistic support. You will be the domestic abuse subject matter expert on site, upskilling fellow professionals and acting as a point of contact for any clients experiencing domestic abuse and support requirements from Family Children Services.

The borough has a focus on prioritising and developing good DA work in social care and this is an opportunity to be a major player in institutional change, ensuring that women accessing Family Children services for their children have an improved experience and that the local authorities are leading the way for all survivors engaging with their services.

Advance delivers nationally accredited, quality marked services in Hammersmith & Fulham, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Brent, Ealing, and across parts of East London. We work within a coordinated partnership response to domestic violence to provide independent domestic violence advocacy and support for women, children and young people and women’s community services for women who are involved in the criminal justice system, in anti-social behaviour or are at risk of breaking the law.

About You:

You will have an excellent understanding of domestic violence and its effects on women and children and of best practice within the domestic abuse in various areas of need, with particular knowledge on children safeguarding/legislation. As an experienced domestic violence advocate who has worked with complex and multiple needs, the post holder will be skilled in risk management and safety planning, remaining calm in a crisis and in handling sensitive information on a daily basis. Experience of direct work with female survivors of domestic violence, of supporting women with child safeguarding, needs, and of working within safeguarding procedures is essential for this post, as is the need to adopt and promote a strong partnership approach to service provision.

To be successful as the Social Care IDVA you will need the below experience and skills:

You will establish positive, proactive, and innovative working relationships with housing services and partner agencies. Provide high-quality crisis intervention, information, advocacy, and proactive support to women referred to the service, in respect to risk management and safety planning, criminal and civil remedies, housing, health, welfare rights, and children’s legislation.

Your abilities extends to assessing the needs and risks of survivors, carry out short and longer-term risk management, safety planning and support and identify and refer to services appropriate to their needs. Advising women of their rights and options for seeking help and support from other agencies and proactively advocate to ensure barriers to accessing support and protection are reduced. You will work as an advocate and educator to raise awareness and upskill professionals within Children Social Care plus work with colleagues to successfully develop and deliver training.

How to apply:

Please submit your up-to-date CV with a supporting statement. Please note that only applications made via the job advert on the Advance careers page, and those that include a cover letter will be considered.

Interviews are taking place on rolling basis

*Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate

What we can offer you - Employee Benefits:

• A 35-hour working week
• An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that's nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!)
• Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home
• Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more
• Pension scheme
• Enhanced maternity/adoption provision
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee eye-care scheme
• Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles
• Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation
• Organisation wide away days
• Thorough induction and training
• Career development pathways

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Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and we will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.

Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.

Safeguarding

Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.

OVERVIEW

Rising Sun Domestic Violence and Abuse Service (Rising Sun) is an independent charity in Kent working to prevent domestic abuse and improve the lives of survivors and their children suffering from its effects. We have an ambitious vision for a world in which women and children live free from actual or threatened domestic abuse and all forms of violence.

Our team provide a range of services to adults and children who’ve experienced domestic abuse. We understand the impact of domestic abuse on survivors, so we listen to individual needs and respond in a trauma informed way. We provide one-to-one support and also deliver therapeutically informed group programmes to help survivors to recognise healthy/unhealthy behaviours in relationships and to understand the impact of domestic abuse. Bringing survivors together validates experiences and enables them to draw strength from one another.

JOB PURPOSE

As one of our High Support Needs IDVAs you will be part of our experienced and dedicated adult team reporting to the HSN IDVA Manager covering the Ashford District area, and your role will include a mixture of remote and office working. You’ll be providing a high-quality, frontline service to survivors of domestic abuse and play a crucial role in advocacy, risk assessment, safety planning and empowerment for our clients with more complex needs. You will assist them in recognising the features and dynamics of domestic abuse which are impacting their situation, and help them to regain control of their lives. You will support them to make informed and safe choices and to move forward.

Alongside working with survivors, you will develop and maintain productive relationships with partner organisations to strengthen multi-agency working and improve service outcomes for survivors.

We are looking for someone with a genuine passion for supporting people who is confident, resilient and has the ability to build strong relationships.

You will have experience of delivering domestic abuse interventions with survivors, including some whose individual circumstances are more complex. This might include clients with issues such as homelessness, poor mental health or drugs and alcohol use.

The nature of this work and being exposed to survivors’ trauma and challenges can have a negative impact on our own wellbeing as support workers, and therefore good self-awareness and the ability to recognise our own needs and put in place appropriate boundaries is essential. All team members are expected to exercise self-care and attend regular clinical supervision to mitigate the potential impact of vicarious trauma.

As part of our passionate and committed team of approximately 50 staff, our aspiration is that you will thrive and develop in this varied role. You will be contributing to the invaluable work of the Rising Sun and making a lasting difference to the lives of those who are impacted by domestic abuse.

Equal Opportunities

Rising Sun is an equal opportunities employer. We recognise intersecting identities, and value what having a diverse team brings, both in terms of effectively responding to client needs, and engaging with each other at work. We encourage applicants from all sections of the community; especially from minority groups, as we are on a journey to increase diversity in our team. Flexible working is available in most roles, and we strive to accommodate the needs of all applicants and team members.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide high quality case work support and information to victims/survivors who have experienced domestic and/ or sexual violence and have high support needs.
• Support those who are experiencing domestic and sexual abuse to access services to keep themselves (and their children) safe and address their needs
• Identify and assess the needs of domestic abuse victims using an evidence-based risk identification checklist while taking a trauma informed approach
• Provide 1:1 support to survivors in the Ashford, Canterbury and Folkestone and Hythe districts, either over the phone, in community venues or at Rising Sun offices
• Manage a caseload in accordance with organisational policies and procedures and adhere to confidentiality
• Work as part of a team, supporting colleagues and building positive working-relationships with team members
• Attend regular clinical supervision and case review meetings
• Hold weekly information and advice drop in sessions and facilitate relevant programmes when required i.e. Freedom Programme
• Participate in street walks to meet and build relationships and trust with street homeless
• Advocate for high risk victims with agencies who can help to address the domestic abuse by:
  • Understanding the role of all relevant statutory and non-statutory services available to domestic abuse victims and how your role fits into them.
  • Providing advocacy, emotional and practical support and information to survivors including in relation to legal options, housing, health and finance. 
  • Effective partnership working with all key agency partners (including housing and other specialist services, such as drug and alcohol support) to address the safety of high risk victims and ensuring that their safety plans are coordinated particularly through the MARAC (multi-agency risk assessment conference).
• Identify training opportunities and provide training and support for housing staff and other relevant agencies as appropriate
• Work with volunteers (where appropriate) to enhance the capacity of the service
• Be responsible for personal well-being and exercise appropriate self-care
• Attend wider team meetings to share learning and feed into organisational developments
• Ensure that the service user is at the heart of all service delivery by encouraging participation in service development and reporting on their recommendations and complaints
• Be willing and available to work occasional evenings and weekends to support wider team activities such as representing Rising Sun at events (time off in lieu can be taken)
• Ensure publicity materials are effectively distributed as well as contributing to the development of literature

 General

• At all times work professionally and to a high standard, setting an example to the wider team and external partners
• Demonstrate a commitment to continued professional development, being responsible for personal learning and keeping up to date on research, relevant legislation, policy and practice, and other literature relevant to the role
• At all times protect the safety and security of the Rising Sun, service users, staff, volunteers and buildings, and the confidentiality of records and other information
• Uphold the rights of women, children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse, and proactively assess the gender specific, trauma informed needs and the safety of children and women to ensure that any risks/needs identified are addressed, having full regard to Rising Sun Safeguarding Children policy and Safeguarding Adults policy
• Ensure the effective implementation of Rising Sun’s policies and procedures and uphold the core values of the Rising Sun.
• Work across teams and undertake such other duties, appropriate to the grade and nature of the work, as may reasonably be expected.

This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time when it was drawn up and will be reviewed from time to time. Duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and cannot of themselves justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following experience, knowledge, skills and attitudes. (D = Desirable)

Qualifications

• An accredited VAWG/domestic abuse qualification, e.g. IDVA / DAPA (D)
• Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) qualification (D)

Knowledge and Experience

• A good understanding of the causes and dynamics of domestic abuse including its impact on survivors, children and young people, families and communities. 
• A sound working knowledge of housing, welfare and policy relating to domestic and sexual violence
• Thorough knowledge of safeguarding practice, procedures and legislation (adults and children)
• At least two years’ experience of working directly with survivors affected by domestic abuse
• Experience of working with survivors of domestic abuse with complex needs for example homelessness, mental health issues, drugs and alcohol dependency (D)
• Experience of managing own case load, working under pressure and prioritising workload
• Experience of risk assessment and management, and safety planning
• Experience of multi-agency partnership work
• Experience of facilitating group programmes (D)
• Experience of delivering training (D)

Skills and attributes

• Excellent listening, written and verbal communication skills.
• Personal resilience
• Good self-awareness and ability to exercise effective self-care
• Competent in the use of Microsoft packages i.e. Word, Excel and Power Point
• Effective negotiation, advocacy and interpersonal skills, at all levels
• Ability to collect and collate data and write reports as appropriate to this role
• Ability to be self-motivating, work on own initiative and as part of a team
• Ability to liaise and work well with a diverse range of stakeholders
• Strong crisis management skills

 Other

• A good understanding of cultural issues, and commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities.
• A commitment to the values and ethos of Rising Sun
• A commitment to fostering innovation in working practice
• A flexible approach to your work
• A commitment to respecting and valuing service users' perspectives and involvement in Rising Sun
• Able to drive and have access to a reliable car (D) (the post holder will be required to attend meetings and events across our areas of work)

Please visit our website to download and fill out an application form if you feel that this role would be a good fit for you, demonstrating how you meet the requirements of the person specification in your personal statement.

Purpose

The Case Manager will strive to make contact and work on a one-to-one basis with perpetrators whose victims have been identified as high risk at MARAC to pro- actively secure engagement, influence attitudinal and behavioural change and link to complementary services. To do this, the Case Manager will work with existing agencies in each pilot site to design a co-ordinated, strategic individual intervention plan to address identified needs and risks and promote understanding of the impact of abusive behaviours. Throughout the intervention the Case Manager will work closely with the IDVA service to review risk, develop safety plans and improve outcomes for all parties involved.

The Case Manager will be responsible over the long term for delivering outcomes, to achieve behaviour change with each service user.

Responsibilities
Interagency work

• Work to embed the Case Manager role into multi-agency responses to domestic abuse in the area.
• Effective understanding and implementation of institutional advocacy by pro- socially challenging partner agencies, acknowledging best practice and striving for change to benefit the individual, the service and the sector.
• Support other professionals in responding to service users in a way that is coterminous with the aims and ethos of the Drive Project.
• Working closely with other professionals to ensure that risk management and safeguarding duties are effectively met.
• Develop and maintain effective partnership working with statutory, private and voluntary agencies to address the issue of domestic abuse.
• Represent the service at operational multi-agency meetings, feeding back initiatives and outcomes to the team and contributing to the evaluation of the quality of activities these services offer.
• Provide a single point of proactive and regular contact for a range of professionals involved in the case of the service user.
• Be flexible and willing to work in all types of environments.

Case management

• Comply with child protection and information sharing policies, ensuring that service users and colleagues understand and comply with the service’s safeguarding framework.
• Manage a case load focusing on high risk perpetrators of domestic abuse to provide an assertive, medium to long term service, based on thorough assessment and individual support planning that adopts the principles of both ‘Support (change) or/and Disrupt (continued offending) concept.
• Contribute to regular service reviews which include monitoring data, evaluations, intake and output policy, and practice and workload reviews for the whole service.
• Attend monthly case management meeting with the Service Manager.
• Attend clinical supervision.
• Take appropriate steps to protect where there is an imminent risk to another person.

Recording and administration

• Ensure that case files and records are accurate and complete; and are kept and in compliance with Data Protection Act requirements.
• To enter all the required information into the Drive project electronic case management system to enable tracking of service user change, multi-agency working and risk management.
• Weekly maintenance and accurate and secure audit trail of all relevant communication.
• Comply with the data protection and information sharing protocols that Drive has agreed to.

Direct work with service users

• Maintain a proactive response to service users, continuously providing positive options for behaviour change throughout the service users time in the Drive project.
• Use combination of motivational work, relationship building and a broad range of therapeutic skills to engage service users to address their abusive behaviour.
• Motivate and support service users to address the broad range of needs that may contribute to the risk that they pose to others or act as barrier for them in addressing that risk. e.g. housing, substance use etc.
• To ensure that service users understand that the community and Drive project will ensure that they are accountable for continued use of abuse and abusive behaviour towards others.
• Ensure that there is a consistent delivery of services to the identified perpetrators of domestic abuse, including comprehensive risk assessment, support planning, referrals to other agencies and MARACs.
• Develop strategies that will disrupt the continued risk posed by service users
• Undertake assessment of risk, needs and attitudes to inform the individual service user’s intervention plan.
• Ensure that risk assessment and risk management procedures are followed at all times.
• Respect and value the diversity of the community in which the service works in, providing a service that recognises the diverse needs of service users and their families.
• Work closely with the IDVAs’ supporting the partners, ex-partners and new partners, and family members of service users in management risk and developing intervention plans, as set out in the Drive Manual.
• The welfare and safety of children and young people is paramount, considered in every aspect of your work, addressing parenting needs where appropriate and taking action to safeguard children.

General

• Remain up-to-date and compliant with all relevant legislation connected to your work, including organisational procedures, policies and professional codes of conduct and practice guidance, in order to uphold standards of best practice.
• Represent the service at local events; deliver training and presentations as required.
• Feed into the learning process via the Service to improve services to perpetrators of domestic abuse ensuring that the experiences of service users and other agencies inform this process.
• Be confident to evidence reflective practice in all aspects of work sharing learning.
• Be committed to reviewing individual and team practice and undertake regular training.
• Act with integrity and respect when interacting with service users, employees, agencies and individuals.
• Competent in defensible decision making, recording and being held accountable.
• Show initiative in tackling issues within the service and in relation to other agencies.
• Act as a champion for the implementation of the pilot programme in your area.
• Hold a full driving license, have access to a car and be able to travel across the pilot area as required.
• Partake in evening and weekend work as required.

Person Specification

Experience: Essential

• Direct work with vulnerable service users.
• Working within a public protection/ safeguarding multi-agency setting .e.g. Child protection, vulnerable adults, MARAC, MAPPA.
• In managing safeguarding issues and procedures.
• Writing and presenting information formally and informally, to a range of audiences.
• Working within legislative frameworks and using this application to develop, influence and encourage partnership working.
• Working within conflict management continuum.
• Evidence of keeping reliable and timely reporting and meeting deadlines.

Experience: Desirable

• Work with victims and or perpetrators of domestic abuse.
• Work with service users with complex needs and/or challenging behaviour.
• Working with service users with diagnosed mental health issues.
• Working with service users with substance misuse.
• Work with young people aged 16-25 years.
• Of using pro-social modelling and motivational interviewing in practice.

Knowledge and Understanding:

• Have an excellent understanding of domestic abuse, including the impact on victims and their children, and the legal and practical remedies available.
• An understanding of public protection arrangements, the provision of policing, child protection, health and social care, housing support and of multi-agency/partnership working.
• Have a good knowledge of effective ways of working/engaging with perpetrators of domestic abuse.
• Have a thorough understanding of IDVA work including risk assessment, risk management and comprehensive safety planning.
• Have theoretical and procedural knowledge of other services involved in the response to domestic abuse.
• Understand multi-agency partnerships in relation to domestic abuse.
• An understanding of the MARAC process at an operational level.
• Understanding of the child protection system.

Skills:

• Ability and willingness to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good relationship management with regard to multi-agency work that incorporates sensitivity, responsiveness and attention to the promotion of congruent and effective partnership working.
• IT skills, including use of Microsoft Office.
• Hold a relevant degree, a vocational qualification or equivalent experience.
• Support and guide your service users, and have excellent advisory, negotiation & persuasive skills.
• Empathy
• Have excellent conflict and crisis management skills and the ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations.
• Have excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lead and facilitate discussions to achieve a positive outcome
• Excellent networking skills and the ability to develop strong working relationships with other agencies.
• Reflection and self-awareness.

Attributes:

• Have confidence in their own ability to make decisions.
• An ability to work collaboratively as part of a team; whilst also having the initiative to work independently as necessary.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and oral).
• Belief in perpetrator behaviour change.
• A comprehensive understanding of risk.
• Range of experience in domestic abuse sector.
• Capacity to manage raw emotions including conflict, challenge and trauma.
• Proactive and self-motivated.