Children and Young Persons Independent Domestic Violence Advisor

Children's Domestic Violence Advocate (CHIDVA)

Location:

Bury

Salary: £30,200

Contract Type:
Permanent

Please note, this is an on-site role only. Due to the nature of our Refuges and Outreach services, it is essential that our teams are present and accessible, enabling us to provide safe, responsive and high-quality support to those who need us most.

This post is open to women only as permitted under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

About Safenet

We provide domestic abuse services across the Northwest of England, including refuges for women and children, safe houses for men, community support, and extra support for those facing addiction, mental health, or other issues.

We understand the serious impact domestic abuse can have, especially on health and wellbeing, and provide support and guidance to help survivors live safely and securely.

Safenet is part of the Calico Group. Here's what makes The Calico Group unique: each of our specialist companies collaborates and innovates together to have a greater impact than they could alone.

Our shared vision, flexible group structure, and expanding range of services help us adapt to the fast-changing environment and times in which we work.

"A future where everyone can live safe, happy and healthy lives free from abuse, violence and exploitation in their homes, streets and communities."

About the role

As a Children's Domestic Violence Advocate (CHIDVA), you will safeguard and support children and young people affected by domestic abuse across the Continuum of Need, including Child Protection. You will deliver child-centred 1:1 and group interventions, complete child-focused risk assessments and safety plans, and ensure children and young people's voices shape the support they receive. Working with partner agencies (including through MARAC), you will contribute to coordinated responses that improve safety, wellbeing and long-term resilience.

For further information about the role, please visit the Role Profile.

What we are looking for

We welcome applicants from a range of relevant backgrounds; direct refuge experience is not essential, but you do need to bring credibility, confidence and compassion from related fields.

You might come from:

• Substance misuse or addiction recovery services
• Trauma informed women's services
• Mental health or psychologically informed environments (PIE)
• Housing or supported accommodation with complex needs

You will bring:

We believe in recruiting for potential as well as experience. Our ideal candidate will have:

Essential

• Safe Lives CHIDVA qualification (or working towards) and/or a relevant children and young people qualification (or working towards).

• Experience supporting children and young people affected by domestic abuse, trauma or adversity.

• Experience managing a caseload and delivering consistent, high-quality support to children, young people and families.

• Experience working in multi-agency settings (e.g., social care, education, health, criminal justice).

• Strong safeguarding knowledge (including Children Acts 1989/2004 and Domestic Abuse Act 2021) and confidence escalating concerns.

• Ability to build trust and communicate effectively with children/young people and professionals, adapting to age and need.

• Strong record-keeping skills and a commitment to confidentiality and data protection.

• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, including anti-racist and intersectional practice.

Desirable

• Women's Aid or Respect accredited training (e.g., DAPA) and/or Paladin Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworker (ISAC).

• Level 4 Diploma in Domestic Abuse; DASH risk assessment; trauma-informed care training.

• Experience supporting children and young people with complex needs (including self-harm or suicidal ideation) and knowledge of referral pathways.

• Knowledge of culturally specific forms of abuse and barriers to access for ethnic minority and migrant survivors (e.g., HBV, FGM).

Essential Core Skills

Health & Safety Awareness

All our employees are required to work in a safe way, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and keep themselves, other colleagues and customers safe. You will be expected to update your knowledge and skills on Health & Safety if successful in your application.

Safeguarding

We work with adults and children who may be 'at risk' and expect colleagues to work in a way which protects the people we support from harm. Our colleagues are expected to identify people 'at risk' and confidently report any Safeguarding concerns as appropriate within the service.

Digital

Across our services, we use a range of technology and systems and expect colleagues to use them effectively and safely following cybersecurity and data protection principles (UK GDPR). Full training on specific systems is provided but a willingness to learn and develop is essential.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)

The Calico Group welcomes diversity and champions the rights of those in society who may be marginalised. Our employees are expected to be inclusive, embracing…