Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate

We have an exciting opportunity for an IDVA to join team in London, working 37.5 hours a week. This role is co-located in Homerton Hospital, Hackney.

Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it?

Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care?

If yes, then we’d love to hear from you

**County/Borough**
- Hackney

**Office location**
- Old Street

**Full time/Part time**
- Full time

**Hours per week**
- 37.5 hours per week.

**Work schedule**
- Monday to Friday 9-5pm with some flexibility as required - flexible working patterns can be discussed.

**Basic Salary**
- Qualified
- £28,050 per annum plus £2,800 per annum London Weighting Allowance; Unqualified
- £26,010 per annum plus £2,800 per annum London Weighting Allowance,

**Allowances**
- London Weighting

**Contract type**
- Permanent

**DBS required?**
- Yes

**Police vetting required?**
- No

**Closing Date**
- 13/11/2024

**Ref No**
- 5836

**What we offer**:
At Victim Support we believe in attracting & retaining the best people and offer a competitive rewards & benefits package including:

- Flexible working options including hybrid working
- 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 30 days plus Bank Holidays
- An extra day off for your Birthday
- £500 bonus paid on successful completion of probationary period (pro-rata for part time roles)
- Pension with 5% employer contribution
- Enhanced sick pay allowances & maternity payments
- High Street, retail, holiday, entertainment & leisure discounts
- Access to our financial wellbeing hub & salary deducted finance
- Employee assistance program & wellbeing support
- Ongoing training & support with opportunities for career development & progression

**About the role**:
This role will be part of our IDVA team in the London Victim and Witness Service.

As an IDVA you will be working as a member of the London Domestic Abuse team supporting clients through the co-location at the hospital liaising directly with departments such as ED/ Safe Guarding/ Maternity as well as supporting through the criminal justice system. You will work in partnership with other agencies aiming to increase the level of domestic abuse prosecutions.

As an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate you will:

- Implement effective ways of working with victims and those supporting them to increase safety and reduce harm.
- Provide a high-quality, front-line service to victims of domestic abuse, delivering a premium service prioritised according to risk, primarily focusing on victim/survivors aged 16+
- Work within a multi-agency framework consisting of the MARAC and local partnership responses to domestic abuse to keep safety central to all services for victims of domestic abuse.

**You will need**:

- Have a knowledge of help-seeking barriers and support needs of victims of domestic abuse (in heterosexual or same-sex relationships).
- Have a good understanding of domestic abuse including the impact of domestic abuse on victims and their children.
- Understand the principles of risk assessment, safety planning and risk management for victims of domestic abuse and their children
- Understand safeguarding issues, and the legal responsibilities surrounding these issues.
- Direct service delivery to victims of domestic abuse or other vulnerable people.
- Have excellent communication, negotiation and advocacy skills, both written and verbal when interacting with a range of agencies and individuals. Understand and be committed to equal opportunities and diversity issues in policy and practice.
- Have a strong crisis management skills and the ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

**About Us**:
Victim Support (VS) is an independent charity providing a range of specialist services to people who have been affected by crime across England and Wales. We work towards a world where there are fewer victims but who have stronger rights, better support and a real influence in the Criminal Justice System. Everyone at VS is driven by our Vision Ambitions and Values to play their part in making a difference for those who experience crime and traumatic events. Working for VS gives you the opportunity to play a key role in a national charity providing high quality services to victims and witnesses and being a vital force for change.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

Victim Support strives to represent the diverse communities we serve and are passionate about creating an environment where all staff and volunteers feel respected and heard. Being a diverse organisation w