About us
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.
About the job
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 the acute hospitals across West Sussex with county‑wide travel. Contract type: Fixed Term Contract until 31/03/2027.
Travel: 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.
This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check. A regular requirement is to communicate in English with members of the public.
You will undertake 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 can access support. You will work within a multi‑agency setting and keep the clients' safety central to all coordinated responses. You will support colleagues and partner agencies to provide the best possible service to victims and survivors. The role includes crisis management of victims at high risk of significant harm, delivering trauma‑informed support and advocacy that promotes the safety of the victim and their children.
What you'll need to succeed
You will be a team player while also working on your own initiative to manage crisis situations. You have a passion for supporting victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence and can communicate effectively with multi‑agency partners. You can influence partners to improve practice and outcomes for clients and children within health settings. You will manage a caseload, focusing on all levels of risk proactively, and you are both organised and adaptable, responding calmly and effectively to complex situations.
Key Skills
* Excellent crisis management skills with the ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations.
* Excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively with clients, provide advice to victims in stressful situations with clarity and empathy while 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 medium‑term solutions to work effectively with a wide variety of people.
* Ability to deliver training to support the understanding, awareness and impact of domestic abuse.
Qualifications and/or experience
* 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.
* Demonstrable experience of 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 applying them 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.
* Valid and full driving licence.
Working for us
We recognise employees are central to everything we do. On joining, you will have access to a range of benefits.
Equal Opportunity
Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, ensuring a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants who have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to 5 years referencing and a health check.
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