Independent Domestic Violence Advocate; IDVA)

Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) Thank you for your interest in this role. BEFORE YOU CONTINUE

Women’s Aid want to be clear, honest and transparent about this extremely important role within our organisation.

It is demanding, emotionally complex, and highly accountable - and for the right person, it is deeply meaningful and impacting work.

As an IDVA, you will manage a high‑risk, fast‑moving caseload of victims/survivors of domestic abuse. You will be responsible for ensuring every case is actively progressed, risks are identified and reviewed, and no one gets lost in your systems and procedures. The role requires discipline, organisational skills and attention to detail.

What the role really involves;

• Managing a complex and pressured caseload, often with competing risks and priorities
• Maintaining accurate, detailed and up-to-date case records, safety plans and outcomes - every action, every contact and every decision
• Continually tracking your cases, following up actions, chasing responses and reviewing risk
• Working to tight deadlines, professional standards and statutory expectations
• Making clear professional judgements while holding boundaries with survivors and agencies
• Ensuring everyone using our service receives consistent and reliable support – often urgently

IDVA work is safety‑critical. When cases are not managed rigorously - when risks are not reviewed, actions are not followed up, records are incomplete, or survivors are not consistently engaged – practices can become unsafe or the victim/survivor can feel you are uninterested.

Domestic abuse is patterned, escalating, predictable and also often unpredictable; failures in case management can allow abuse to continue, intensify, or go unchallenged. In the most serious cases, poor practice, delayed responses or overlooked warning signs can contribute to serious harm or loss of life. Professional discipline, accurate records and active case overview are not just administrative tasks - they are essential and are in fact the core safeguarding functions essential to preventing further abuse and keeping victims and survivors safe and alive.

Someone who is:

• Highly organised and methodical – planning your work daily and following it through
• Exceptional with detail – accurate records, timely and defensible
• Able to manage emotional content without losing professional focus
• Confident working independently while being accountable
• Comfortable with systems, case management, deadlines and scrutiny
• Values survivors’ autonomy and strength, rather than seeing them as a ‘poor victim’

You must be someone who can care deeply while also working rigorously.

This role may NOT be right for you if:

• You are primarily motivated by ‘helping’ rather than advocacy, safety and accountability
• You struggle with structure, record‑keeping or prioritisation
• You are uncomfortable with risk management, challenge and professional boundaries
• You are seeking a role that is primarily emotional support rather than complex casework

Actual quote heard in interview

If you thrive in complex environments, take pride in doing things properly, want to deliver a service that survivors can rely on and want to make a difference . . . . .

Then we want to hear from you

RESPONSIBLE TO:
Support Supervisor;
Support Manager;
Head of Operations. SALARY: £25,389 per annum (unqualified). DAYS / TIMES:
Monday to Friday 9am-5pm Flexible hours to meet client needs, where necessary. ADDITIONAL PAY/

HOURS:

Take part in an 'On-Call' service (see below) Approx 1/2 on-call shifts per month. 'On-Call' Weeknight (Mon-Fri) £15 per night 'On-Call' Saturday/Sunday and BH £30 per night. WORK BASE: 'Call Out' £20 per hour All…