Independent Domestic Violence Advocate

Independent Domestic Violence Advocate

We have an exciting opportunity for an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) to join the Merton Domestic Abuse Team working 37.5 hours a week. This role involves both face-to-face and virtual support in a hybrid model of working, including working from home, Merton Civic Centre and the Merton One Stop Shop.

Do you want to join a committed and inspiring team? Do you want to help make a real difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improve the quality of lives of survivors of domestic abuse?

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

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

County/Borough Merton Office location London Borough Merton, Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5DX Full time/Part time Full time Hours per week 37.5 Work schedule Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm but may be required to work flexibly over 7 days a week dependent on service delivery and client need Basic Salary Qualified: Total £30,850 per annum - This includes FTE £28,050 per annum plus £2,800 per annum London Weighting Allowance Unqualified: Total £28,810 per annum- This includes £26,010 per annum plus £2,800 per annum London Weighting Allowance Allowances Travel expenses,London Weighting Contract type Permanent DBS required? Yes Police vetting required? No Closing Date 08/11/2024 Ref No 5829

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 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 33 days plus Bank Holidays An extra day off for your birthday Pension with 5% employer contribution £500 bonus paid on successful completion of probationary period (pro-rata for part time roles) Enhanced sick pay allowances, maternity & paternity payments High Street, retail, holiday, entertainment & leisure discounts Access to our financial wellbeing hub & salary deducted finance Employee assistance programme & wellbeing support Ongoing training & support with opportunities for career development & progression Clinical supervision and group reflective practice

About the role:

This role is a hybrid working role based in Merton Civic Centre.

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.

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