Independent Domestic Violence Advocate; HSN IDVA)

Position: High Support Needs Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (HSN IDVA)
Benefits: 25 days annual leave + bank holidays (pro rated), 3% matched pension contribution, employee benefits scheme

Please note:

This post is restricted to women under schedule 9, Part 1, Equalities Act 2010

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  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.

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 Canterbury District area, and your role will include a mixture of working from Catching Lives homeless centre, community 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.

You will provide a weekly drop-in at Catching Lives and will co-work with clients as appropriate.

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. As the HSN IDVA, you will provide enhanced casework support to individuals within the EHCF client group, delivering support in community settings, in partnership with agencies such as Porchlight and the RSI team, and remotely via telephone where appropriate.

We are looking for someone with a genuine passion for supporting people who is confident, resilient and can 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.

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…