Health Independent Domestic Violence Advisor
About us – making a difference in our communities.
Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) are part of the Community Safety and Wellbeing team within the Communities Directorate. These key roles identify, assess, and assist victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence and abuse, increasing their safety and the safety of their families. We are committed to working with victims/survivors with a wide range of needs, including those with multiple and compound needs, disabilities, and complex health considerations.
Salary: £36,363 to £39,152 per annum. Working pattern: full time 37 hours per week. Location: Arun or Horsham office base, co‑locating at acute hospitals across West Sussex with county‑wide travel. Contract type: Fixed Term Contract until 31/03/2027.
In this role you will need to be able to travel independently around the county, including to areas that may not be easily accessible by public transport. Pool cars and pool bikes are available.
Role will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. You will regularly communicate in English with members of the public.
Main duties of the job
Undertaking direct work with clients within acute hospital settings across West Sussex who have experienced domestic and sexual violence and abuse, to ensure they receive an appropriate service and are able to access support.
Working within a multi‑agency setting and keeping the clients’ safety central to all coordinated responses. You will support colleagues and partner agencies to provide the best possible service to victims / survivors. The role will include crisis management of victims / survivors at high risk of significant harm, delivering trauma‑informed support and advocacy that promotes the safety of the victim / survivor and their children.
What you’ll need to succeed
You will be a team player while also being able to work on your own initiative to manage crisis situations. Passion for supporting victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence and will be able to communicate effectively with multi‑agency partners, so that their voices are heard. Ability to influence partners to improve practice and outcomes for clients and children within health settings.
Managing a caseload, focusing on all levels of risk in a proactive way, and incorporating risk assessment and safety planning. Being both organised and adaptable, you will have the ability to respond to complex situations calmly and effectively.
Key Skills
* Excellent crisis management skills with the ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations.
* Excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively with clients, and the ability to provide advice to victims in stressful situations with clarity and empathy whilst maintaining professional boundaries.
* Excellent advisory, guiding, negotiating and persuasive skills to encourage others to adopt a course of action they may not wish to take.
* Ability to assess risk, interpret individual needs and develop appropriate safety, support and action plans.
* Experienced at judging and analysing, using these skills to solve difficult problems and develop solutions or plans over the medium term in order to work effectively with a wide variety of people.
* Ability to deliver training to support the understanding, awareness and impact of domestic abuse.
Person Specification
Qualifications – Essential
* Relevant qualification at degree level in a relevant subject, or demonstrable experience in a paid or unpaid capacity of providing support to people in stressful and difficult situations.
* Safe Lives IDVA qualification, or willingness to work towards this.
* Valid and full driving licence.
Experience – Essential
* Demonstrable experience working in a multi‑agency environment with victims / survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence.
* Experience of working within legislative frameworks to support victims / survivors and using their application to develop, influence and promote safety for clients.
* Experience of working with vulnerable people and managing a complex caseload.
* Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and policies for both adults and children.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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