Female Children and Young Peoples Independent

Job description

**This is Not a North Somerset Council Vacancy, please contact Next Link on the details below for further details.**

We have a rewarding opportunity available for an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) to join our team based in **North Somerset **on a** full time, permanent contract. **In return, you will receive a competitive salary of **£22,571 (unqualified**) or** £23,953 (qualified) **plus benefits.

Established in 1999, Next Link is the leading provider of domestic abuse services to women and children in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. At Next Link we are committed to providing holistic, empowering and personalised support and advocacy to women and children experiencing domestic abuse. With a focus on survivor’s safety and recovery; we believe the provision of flexible support tailored to survivor’s needs can be transforming, helping to maximise independence and self-determination so survivors can make informed choices.

In return for joining us, we will offer you:
***
- Up to 30 days annual leave (depending on length of service)
- 3 extra holidays including International Women’s Day
- Excellent development and training opportunities
- Employer pension contribution (minimum 5% of your gross salary)
- Mindful Employer Plus Scheme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Long Service Awards
- Wellness Awards

About the role:
***

This post will be based within Next Link Domestic abuse services (including part-time co-location in North Somerset council) providing outreach, and community based support to high risk victims of domestic abuse under the age of 25 across North Somerset.

Working across Next Link in North Somerset and close partnership working with the Lighthouse, Front Door, MASH and MARAC to provide co-ordinated package of emotional and practical support, advice and advocacy to young female or male survivors of domestic abuse.

The role involves empowering survivors to increase their options, make positive choices/decisions, increase their confidence, safety and recovery.

Key duties and responsibilities of our Children and Young People’s IDVA:

- To establish and maintain support to young survivors, with a victim centred approach, focussing on safety and recovery
- Providing support to enable survivors to safely maintain their current accommodation, access welfare benefits, legal advice alternative housing, and support services.
- To provide age specific trauma informed one to one and group interventions that enable children and young people (CYP) to build emotional resilience and well-being
- To provide a high quality service and co-ordinated package of on-going emotional and practical support to CYP who are suffering effects from the trauma of domestic abuse.
- Maintain an effective support service with the aim of enabling the CYP to develop the skills and resources necessary to move on, maintain safe relationships and achieve their potential.
- Champion service user empowerment and involvement
- To liaise effectively and collaboratively with all appropriate agencies and community groups to ensure the best access to services and meaningful community engagement for service users

This is not an exhaustive list of your duties and outlines the general ways in which it is expected you will meet the overall requirements of this post.

What we are looking for in our Children and Young People’s IDVA:

- An understanding of the impact of domestic abuse on children and young people
- Knowledge of the safety options available to children and young people experiencing domestic abuse
- Experience of support planning and risk assessment
- Experience of assessing the risks and needs of vulnerable people who have experienced domestic abuse and/or complex needs
- Experience working with the police, Lighthouse, Front Door, MASH and MARAC
- An understanding of cultural diversity
- A full driving licence and access to transport

If you are motivated, resourceful and passionate about empowering victims of domestic abuse, please **apply** now to join us as our Children and Young People’s IDVA and contribute to the valuable work Next Link and its wider services, delivering hope and support to survivors of domestic violence and abuse.

**How to apply**: