Specialist Independent Domestic Violence Advisor

**Recruiting a Specialist Independent Domestic Violence Advisor to join our Domestic Abuse Service in Kent**

£26,000 per annum, working 40 hours per week, plus 25 days Annual Leave, Pension schemes, Staff discounts, healthcare and more. Monday - Friday 09:00am - 17:00pm

Working within the Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse services, the IDVAs work in West Kent to address the safety of victims and survivors at high risk of harm. IDVAs work with their customers from the point of crisis by safety planning and risk assessing using the DASH to ascertain the level of risk to the victim.

A qualified IDVA (or willing to study to achieve the qualification), the post-holder must be enthusiastic and energetic, customer focused and committed to being an active part of a dynamic team. Attendance at Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences is compulsory.

Primarily working 9am to 5pm, the role will require flexibility as the post-holder will be expected to complete customer work within a working day, even if that takes them beyond normal working hours.

**Key Accountabilities**:
Look Ahead IDVAs have the personal qualities required to manage customer expectations alongside the responsibilities of their role. Day to day IDVA activities include:

- Manage customer referrals, completing Dash Risk Assessments and obtaining and maintaining all relevant paperwork.
- Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere.
- Knowledge of the criminal justice system. Understanding of Marac protocols.
- Regular attendance at Marac and completion of all Marac referrals.
- Support Customers to obtain Non Molestation Orders where needed and any other civil remedies available to them.
- Working proactively with other members of the team to handle the service caseload and administrative responsibilities.
- Attending all court and Case Management hearings with or as a representative for customers.
- Supporting customers to set personalised goals in the form of a Safety and Support Plan.
- Assisting in the recording and reporting of customer incidents.
- Safety planning with customers.
- Developing productive relationships with partner organisations to improve service outcomes.
- Adhering to lone working protocols and maintaining high levels of awareness in relation to the health and safety of yourself and colleagues.
- Encouraging customers to attend relevant programmes when appropriate i.e. Freedom Programme /Recovery Toolkit to support successful move on.
- Ensuring Look Ahead Health and Safety policies and local protocols are adhered to at all times
- Adhering to all other Look Ahead’s policies and procedures.
- Engaging in learning and development activity to increase knowledge and skills.
- Undertaking any other duties consistent with the grade and nature of the post as assigned by the Service Manager.

OTHER QUALITIES: Look Ahead IDVAs embody and promote the organisations values of quality, creativity, innovation, continuous improvement, integrity, transparency, openness and trust.

**Person Specification**:

- Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
- Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour
- Prefers working as part of a group or team
- Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
- Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised
- Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments
- Is confident with high levels of self-esteem
- Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
- Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude
- Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviour

**Skills, Knowledge and Experience**:
**Desirable**:

- IDVA Qualification

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

This role requires a valid Right to Work for the UK as Look Ahead are not a sponsoring organisation’

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Salary**: £26,000.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Work from home

Schedule:

- 8 hour shift

Work Location: One location

Reference ID: REQ004223