Independent Domestic Violence Advisor

Overview

We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias. The Housing and Homelessness Service is a very busy environment and faces several challenges to meet the housing needs of citizens of Coventry. The team have grown significantly during the last 12 months and this reflects the fact that Housing & Homelessness are now a key council priority.

The team are responsible for the delivery of the following service functions:
Provision of the statutory homeless service, Provision of temporary accommodation, Management of the housing register, Co-ordination of support to citizens rough sleeping, Commissioning of homeless services, and Responsibility for housing strategy. The Council has a strategic vision that is clearly set out in both the Housing & Homelessness and the Rough Sleeping Strategies which were both approved in 2019. By becoming part of an expanding team who are focused on preventing households from becoming homeless as well as providing tailored support and interventions when someone does become homeless this is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to some of the most vulnerable people in our city.

Our Values

Open and fair:
We are fair, open, and transparent.
Nurture and develop:
We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
Engage and empower:
We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
Create and innovate:
We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
Own and be accountable:
We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
Value and respect:
We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

As Coventry City Council’s Housing Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA), you’ll provide support to survivors who have experienced domestic abuse, focusing on individuals with housing or tenancy issues. Working in a fast-paced crisis intervention, advocacy and support service, you’ll ensure the voice of survivors informs every stage of the process. You will be embedded within the local authority housing team, ensuring housing professionals adopt a trauma-informed approach, can recognise the dynamics of domestic abuse and provide more holistic support.

• Establish positive, proactive and innovative working relationships with housing services and partner agencies.
• Provide high-quality crisis intervention, information, advocacy, and proactive support to women referred to the service.
• Assess the needs and risks of survivors, carry out short and longer-term risk management, safety planning & support, identifying and referring to services appropriate to their needs.
• Advise women of their rights and options for seeking help and support from other agencies.
• Work as an advocate to raise awareness and upskill professionals within Housing.
• Work with other domestic abuse professionals to successfully develop and deliver training.

This post has a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010 for the successful candidate to be a female. Due to the nature of the role we are only able to accept applications from female candidates. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

All candidates must have the Right to Work in the UK. We are currently not offering sponsorship for this role.

Ideally, we are looking for someone with a background in domestic abuse services and with a knowledge of housing and homelessness or related fields. You will also be expected to work towards an IDVA qualification if you do not currently possess one. You will be working with people who will have difficult and often traumatic relationships, so you will need to be empathetic and resilient, but at the same time maintain a professional calm approach.

We need someone with a strong organisational background, who will be able to advocate for their customers at all…