IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advisor) - Child Focused Courts

IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advisor) - Child Focused Courts

Pay

Location

Kensington

Working Hours

40

Job Reference

54

Job Title: IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advisor) - Child Focused Courts (Fixed to March 2028)

Responsible to: Service Lead/Operational Manager

This is a meaningful opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of victim survivors. You'll be part of a supportive, values-driven team committed to safety, empowerment, and justice.

The IDVA service provides specialist support and advocacy to victim-survivors of domestic abuse, including those assessed as being at high risk of serious harm or homicide from a current partner, ex-partner or family member. Support and advocacy are provided regardless of the victim-survivors sex, gender identity, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability or immigration status. Within the Child Focused Courts service, the IDVA will bring specialist domestic abuse expertise into the family court process, helping to ensure domestic abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour, patterns of harm and associated risk are identified, understood and appropriately communicated throughout proceedings.

As an IDVA you will deliver a tailored, trauma-informed service addressing the safety needs of victim-survivors, their children and/or other dependants. You will provide information, advocacy, specialist risk assessment and safety planning based on individual need, working alongside victim-survivors to improve safety, reduce repeat victimisation and support longer-term safety. You will work closely with Cafcass, the Family Court, local authorities and safeguarding partners, contributing specialist domestic abuse analysis while remaining within the professional remit of the IDVA role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide a responsive and pro-active service to victim survivors of domestic abuse to keep them and their children/families safe.
• To assess the risks and complete safety planning based on the risk identified in the risk assessment.
• Offer immediate safety planning and crisis intervention, as well as ongoing support to promote long term safety.
• To develop individualised safety and support plans that are tailored to the individual needs of the victim survivor.
• Provide practical support and information to victims in relation to housing, health, financial, civil remedies and criminal justice options
• Actively participate in the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference, ensuring that the voice of the victim is heard.
• To work in a multi-agency setting, working in partnership with agencies, advocating for the victim survivor to ensure that risks are identified and relevant support is offered. This includes advocating for them and any children or dependants and proactively engaging with all agencies with the aim of promoting victim survivor safety and disrupting and managing perpetrator behaviour.
• Understand the legal framework relating to the protection of both adults and children including the policy and procedures of the Local Safeguarding Childrens Board and Safeguarding Adults Board.
• Record all contacts with victims securely and accurately on IDVA database systems, in accordance with procedures for monitoring and evaluation purposes.
• Undertake specialist domestic abuse risk assessments, including SafeLives DASH where appropriate and professional judgement, recognising the dynamic nature of risk and responding appropriately to escalation, post-separation abuse and changes arising during family court proceedings.
• Identify and analyse patterns of domestic abuse, including coercive and controlling behaviour, stalking and harassment, post-separation abuse, economic abuse and the use of children or family court proceedings as a means of continuing abuse or control.
• Prepare clear, concise and evidence-based professional domestic abuse and risk summaries for use within the Child Focused Courts process, clearly distinguishing victim-survivor disclosure, information obtained from partner agencies and IDVA professional analysis.
• Contribute specialist domestic abuse information and professional judgement to the Child Impact Report process, ensuring relevant risk, patterns of behaviour, protective factors and safety considerations are appropriately communicated while remaining within the professional boundaries of the IDVA role.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to counter-allegations, exploring the context, patte