Children’s Independent Domestic Violence Advocate; CIDVA

Job Role: Children’s Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (CIDVA)

Salary: £22,244 per year (£27,805 FTE)

Hours: 30 hours per week

Contract type: Permanent

Location: Banes

Additional information:

• Participate in an out-of-hours on-call rota.
• A full driving licence and access to your own vehicle for work purposes.

Alongside is the new name for Julian House. We work with people experiencing social exclusion across the South and West of England, providing outreach, accommodation and support. Our clients may be sleeping rough, fleeing abuse, rebuilding after trauma, leaving prison, recovering from addiction, or trying to settle safely in a new community. Whatever their starting point, we work alongside people to help build safety, stability and independence.

As a Children and Young People’s Domestic Abuse Advocate (CIDVA), you’ll play a vital and inspiring role in helping young survivors find their voice, rebuild their confidence, and feel truly heard. Working with children and young people aged 5–17 who have experienced domestic abuse, you’ll provide compassionate, tailored support within a safe refuge environment alongside their non-abusive parent.

At the heart of this role is empowering young people, helping them understand their experiences, express themselves, and begin to move forward in a positive way. Through high-quality one-to-one support, you’ll offer guidance, advocacy, and reassurance, ensuring each young person feels supported every step of the way.

You’ll also bring creativity and energy to the role by delivering engaging group programmes focused on building healthy relationships, resilience, and emotional wellbeing. Alongside this, you’ll coordinate meaningful activities and work closely with partner agencies to ensure every child and young person receives the joined‑up support they need.

This is a truly rewarding opportunity to make a lasting difference – supporting young people at a pivotal time in their lives and helping them build safer, brighter futures.

Work closely with young survivors to co‑produce and deliver personalised support plans that reflect their individual needs, strengths and goals.

• Support young people as they transition from refuge into independent living, helping to build confidence and stability during resettlement.
• Carry out and regularly review risk assessments to ensure the safety and wellbeing of each young person, in line with safeguarding policies.
• Build strong partnerships with external agencies, enabling young people to access wider community resources and receive holistic, wrap‑around support.

Please note:

Job descriptions are not exhaustive, and the successful candidate may occasionally be asked to take on other duties that align with the key responsibilities outlined.

You can view the full job description by clicking here.

Experience of working with children and young people affected by domestic or sexual abuse, with a passion for supporting them to feel safe, heard, and empowered.

A strong understanding of trauma‑informed approaches and the impact domestic abuse can have on young people’s wellbeing and development.

A full driving licence and access to your own vehicle for work purposes.

Access to our Rewards Platform, which includes an Employee Assistance Programme and Health Cash Plan.

27 days annual leave, including an extra day off for your birthday, plus bank holidays – increasing up to 30 days after 4 years of continuous employment (pro rata for part‑time staff).

30% staff discount at our charity shops.

A generous and competitive pension scheme.

A supportive culture where staff feedback is highly valued and regular supervisions with line managers are conducted.

Great opportunities for career development and free monthly training sessions from experienced facilitators.

For all the fantastic and valuable work, you’ll be eligible for the Blue Light Card which offers amazing discounts on thousands of brands.

Reflective Practice sessions from objective, external facilitators.

As an Equal Opportunities employer, we have an Equality and Diversity Action plan in place showing our…