Housing Idva

Advance is a well-respected, award-winning, and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women experiencing domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending.

We are looking for

Job title: Housing IDVAs

**Salary**: £28,000 - £31,000 pro rata per annum, depending on experience

Location: Based at Hammersmith Head office

Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week x 2 FTE and 1 x 21 hours per week part time

Contract: Permanent

Benefits: 30 days’ holiday plus public holidays and a day off for International Women’s Day, Pension scheme, Access to our Employee Assistance Programme

The Role

If you have experience of supporting women who have experienced domestic violence, forced marriage or ‘honour-based violence’, come join our team and use your expertise to provide crucial support to our service users when they need it most. You’ll become part of a collaborative and committed team, providing high-quality advocacy and support to a range of women and supporting them with their housing needs. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives and you will play a key role in helping us deliver vital services and make a positive difference to the lives of our service users.

As a Housing IDVA, you’ll provide support to women who have experienced domestic violence, focusing on individuals with housing or tenancy issues. Working in our fast-paced crisis intervention, advocacy and support service, you’ll ensure the voice of survivors informs every stage of the process. You will have your own caseload of survivors and will focus on working with those aged 18 and over who access our domestic abuse service.

What you will bring

To join us as a Housing IDVA, you will need:

- Experience of supporting women who have experienced domestic violence, forced marriage or ‘honour-based violence’
- Experience of risk and needs assessment, safety and support planning, particularly with clients with complex/multiple needs
- Experience of partnership working and of maintaining excellent working relationships with a range of stakeholders
- Experience of working with housing agencies or in a housing setting
- A thorough understanding of violence against women and girls with a particular focus on the dynamics of domestic violence (physical, emotional, and sexual violence, so
- called ‘honour-based violence’, forced marriage, stalking and harassment) and its impact on women, children, families and communities.
- An excellent understanding of the criminal justice system and relevant legislation with particular regard to legal and civil options, housing, benefits, matrimony and children
- Thorough knowledge of safeguarding practice, procedures and legislation
- Specific knowledge and understanding of the housing system and options available
- Excellent risk assessment, support and advocacy skills and the ability to advocate
- successfully using evidence and professional experience
- Good data collection, monitoring and IT skills
- Good report writing skills, including preparing reports for courts, case conferences and information for Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACS)
- A relevant qualification or training, for example in domestic violence, criminal justice, law, social work, substance misuse or related area
- Experience in providing independent domestic violence advocacy and support for women who approach housing advice and assessment for help
- Experience in working with housing service providers and the local council to introduce the service and encourage practitioners to identify domestic violence
- Experience in advising women of their rights and options for seeking help and support from other agencies
- Ability to develop individual safety and support plans in-line with the clients’ needs and the risks they face
- Experience in Co-ordinating the provision of multi-agency support and make referrals