Independent Domestic Violence Advocate

We have an exciting opportunity for an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate to join the DRIVE team in London, working 37.5 hours a week.

Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it?

Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care?

If yes, then we’d love to hear from you…

At Victim Support we believe in attracting & retaining the best people and offer a competitive rewards & benefits package including:

• Flexible Working Options
  :
  Including hybrid working.
• Generous Annual Leave
  : 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
• Birthday Leave
  :
  An extra day off for your birthday
• Pension Plan
  : 5% employer contribution.
• Enhanced Allowances
  :
  Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
• Exclusive Discounts
  :
  High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
• Financial Wellbeing
  :
  Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary-deducted finance.
• Wellbeing Support
  :
  Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
• Inclusive Networks
  :
  Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
• Sustainable Travel
  :
  Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
• Career Development
  :
  Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career progression.

You may be a qualified IDVA or a Domestic Abuse Outreach Worker wanting to work alongside professionals in a multi-agency environment, although we will consider applicants from other fields providing you are able to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of both domestic and sexual violence.

This role involves both face to face and virtual support in a hybrid model of working. There is an expectation that you will do a mixture of working from home & attend our office in Singer Street.

As a DRIVE Independent Domestic Violence Advocate you will:

• Implement effective ways of working with victims and those supporting them to increase safety and reduce harm.
• Provide a high-quality, front‑line service to victims of domestic and sexual abuse, delivering a premium service prioritised according to risk, primarily focusing on victim/survivors aged 16+
• Work within a multi‑agency framework consisting of the MARAC and local partnership responses to domestic and sexual abuse to keep safety central to all services for victims of domestic and sexual abuse.
• Have excellent communication skills, a proactive approach and the confidence to be able to influence the way in which this service is delivered are key.

You will need to:

• Have a knowledge of help‑seeking barriers and support needs of victims of domestic and sexual abuse (in heterosexual or same‑sex relationships).
• Have a good understanding of domestic and sexual abuse including the impact of abuse on victims and their children.
• Understand the principles of risk assessment, safety planning and risk management for victims of domestic and sexual abuse and their children.
• Understand safeguarding issues, and the legal responsibilities surrounding these issues.
• Experience of direct service delivery to victims of domestic and sexual abuse or other vulnerable people.
• Have strong communication, negotiation and advocacy skills, both written and verbal when interacting with a range of agencies and individuals. Understand and be committed to equal opportunities and diversity issues in policy and practice.
• Have a strong crisis management skills and the ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents…