Independent Domestic Violence Advocate

**Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA)**

**Location: **South Shields

**Salary**: £31,000 - £33,000 per annum (Depending on Experience)
- When you nurture a family, you strengthen a community._

Successful applicants will have an extensive Domestic Abuse background and hold an **IDVA**qualification.

**The Role**

As an IDVA you will be responsible for providing a high-quality frontline service to victims of domestic abuse, delivering a service to those at highest risk. To work within a multi-agency framework consisting of the MARAC and local partnership responsesto domestic abuse. Working directly with victims of domestic violence and abuse, including one to one assessments and group work.

You will be based in the new domestic abuse service “RESTART” which is based in Children’s services.
- Identify and assess the risks and needs of domestic abuse victims using an evidence-based risk identification checklist.
- Focus on and prioritise high risk cases and provide a pro-active, short to medium term crisis intervention service through individual safety planning and personal support.
- Work with high-risk victims of domestic abuse to help them access services to keep them and their children safe.
- Work across Children's Social Care and assist all practitioners in risk assessments and safety planning.
- Advocate for high-risk victims with agencies who can help to address the domestic abuse by**:

- Understanding the role of all relevant statutory and non-statutory services available to domestic abuse victims and how your role fits into them.
- Providing advocacy, emotional and practical support and information to victims including in relation to legal options, housing, health and finance.
- Working directly with all key agency partners to address the safety of high-risk victims and ensuring that their safety plans are coordinated particularly through the MARAC.
- Mange a case load ensuring each client receives the appropriate service individual to their needs.
- Support the empowerment of the client and assist them in recognising the features and dynamics of domestic abuse present in their situation and help them regain control of their lives.
- Understand multi-agency partnership structures and work within a multi-agency setting which will include participation at the MARAC. You will contribute interventions and help design a plan to protect victims and any children, while maintaining an independentrole on behalf of your client, keeping their safety as central to any response.
- _In accordance with the organisation's case management policy: _Be proactive with your _line manager _in carrying out periodic case reviews based on a review of risk and abuse which:

- Feeds back into action planning to further progress, signpost or close cases and;
- Provides feedback to your clients/agencies.
- Help maintain accurate and confidential case management records _and databases _and contribute to monitoring information for the service.
- Comply with data protection legislation, confidentiality and information sharing policy and procedures and all legislation connected to your work.
- Support colleagues and partner agencies, through awareness raising and institutional advocacy, in order to provide the best possible service for victims of domestic abuse.
- Respect and value the diversity of the community in which the services work in, and recognise the needs and concerns of a diverse range of survivors ensuring the service is accessible to all.
- Remain up-to-date and compliant with all organisational procedures policies and professional codes of conduct and uphold standards of best practice.