Overview
A Vacancy at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and dynamic individual to join our Trust Safeguarding Team as an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA). This is an exciting opportunity to further develop the service within the organisation to strengthen support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse. The IDVA will work directly with patients and staff across the hospital, providing trauma-informed, needs-led emotional and practical support. This includes supporting individuals experiencing current or historic domestic abuse, ensuring they are safeguarded and able to access the services they need. The IDVA will also play a key role in raising awareness across the Trust, working alongside clinical teams to provide teaching, training, and advice to enhance the recognition, care, and management of victims of domestic abuse. With a strong understanding of domestic abuse, safeguarding, and risk assessment, the IDVA will provide life-changing support, empowering victims and survivors to rebuild their lives in safety.
Applications are welcome from qualified IDVAs.
This is a full-time post with a fixed-term contract until March 2026.
For further information please contact:
Emily Hannon - Emily.hannon1@nhs.net
The IDVA will hold a caseload of patients and staff affected by domestic abuse, ensuring that every individual receives personalised, trauma-informed support tailored to their needs. This includes providing clear and accessible information to enable survivors to make informed choices about their health, wellbeing, safety, and options for justice, while always prioritising their wishes and safeguarding.
The post holder will work proactively with hospital staff and partner agencies to ensure that patients experiencing, or at risk of, domestic abuse are identified at the earliest opportunity and offered timely support.
Close partnership working with hospital-based IDVAs employed by Refuge, as well as other safeguarding colleagues, will be essential to ensure seamless care pathways and coordinated support.
In addition to direct casework, the IDVA will play a key role in raising awareness and building confidence across the workforce. This includes delivering training, advice, and professional guidance to staff to improve the recognition, response, and management of domestic abuse within the Trust.
The IDVA will champion best practice in domestic abuse support, ensuring that services are accessible and inclusive, particularly for those from underrepresented or hard-to-reach groups.
With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us.
We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.
Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.
Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.
We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance.
www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking
If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contactwestherts.recruitment@nhs.net
If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.
We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Responsibilities
* The IDVA will provide specialist, trauma-informed support to patients and staff affected by domestic abuse, holding a caseload and delivering tailored safety planning, risk assessment and practical guidance. They will work closely with safeguarding colleagues, hospital-based IDVAs employed by Refuge, and wider partner agencies to ensure timely identification, referral and coordinated care for those at risk.
* The role also includes delivering training and professional advice to clinical teams, promoting best practice and improving staff confidence in recognising and responding to domestic abuse.
* The IDVA will champion accessible, inclusive services, with particular focus on reaching underrepresented groups.
* The IDVA will raise awareness and build confidence across the workforce regarding domestic abuse.
* Core hours are Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm, with flexibility required to meet the needs of the service.
Requirements/Qualifications
* Applications are welcome from qualified IDVAs.
* Strong understanding of domestic abuse, safeguarding, and risk assessment.
* Experience in trauma-informed support and working with patients and staff within a healthcare setting (as implied).
Contract and Hours
* Full-time post with a fixed-term contract until March 2026.
Location and Stakeholders
* Close partnership with hospital-based IDVAs employed by Refuge and other safeguarding colleagues to ensure seamless care pathways.
Benefits and Working Environment
* Flexible working options to support work-life balance.
* Staff wellbeing and development are prioritised; emphasis on innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.
* Trust values: empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive; vision: Excellent patient care, together.
Application and Contact
* Disability or long-term health condition support available on request.
* Armed Forces Community designation on the application if applicable.
* We reserve the right to close the advert early due to volume of applicants. Please apply promptly.
* If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful.
Expiry
This advert closes on Thursday 11 Sep 2025.
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