Independent Domestic Violence Advocate
We have an exciting opportunity for an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) to join the team in London, working 37.5 hours a week. This role involves both face to face and virtual support in a hybrid model of working, you will work from Northwick Park Hospital and Victim Support Office in London.
Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it?
Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care?
If yes, then we’d love to hear from you
County/Borough Harrow Office location Northwick Park Hospital ,Watford Road Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 3UJ Full time/Part time Full time Hours per week 37.5 Work schedule Standard working hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm but there may be a requirement to work outside of these times including evenings & weekends dependent on client need. Basic Salary Qualified £31,411.00 per annum (this includes FTE £28,611.00 per annum plus £2,800 per annum London Weighting Allowance) Unqualified £29,630.20 per annum (thin includes FTE £26,830.20 per annum plus £2,800 per annum London Weighting Allowance) Allowances London Weighting Contract type Permanent DBS required? Standard Police vetting required? No Closing Date 07/08/2025 Ref No 6224
What we offer:
At Victim Support we believe in attracting & retaining the best people and offer a competitive rewards & benefits package including:
1. Flexible working options including hybrid working
2. 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 33 days plus Bank Holidays
3. An extra day off for your birthday & options to buy or sell annual leave
4. £500 bonus paid on successful completion of probationary period (pro-rata for part time roles)
5. Pension with 5% employer contribution
6. Enhanced sick pay allowances, maternity & paternity payments
7. High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment & leisure discounts
8. Access to our financial wellbeing hub & salary deducted finance
9. Employee assistance programme & wellbeing support
10. Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes
11. Cycle to work scheme & season ticket loans
12. Ongoing training & support with opportunities for career development & progression
About the role:
You may be a qualified IDVA or a Domestic Abuse Outreach Worker wanting to work alongside health professionals in a hospital environment, although we will consider applicants from other fields providing you are able to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of domestic abuse.
This role involves both face to face and virtual support in a hybrid model of working. There is an expectation that you will do a mixture of working from home, our office Victim Support, 3rd Floor, 5-7 Singer Street, London, EC2A 4BQ and in co-location at St Georges Hospital.
As a Hospital Independent Domestic Violence Advocate you will:
13. Implement effective ways of working with victims and those supporting them to increase safety and reduce harm.
14. 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+
15. 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.
16. Be comfortable with running group training sessions and be willing and able to share your specialist knowledge with acute staff across the hospital.
Please note that the successful applicant will be required to sign an honorary contract with the Hospital Trust in addition to their contract of employment.
You will need:
17. Have a knowledge of help-seeking barriers and support needs of victims of domestic abuse (in heterosexual or same-sex relationships).
18. Have a good understanding of domestic abuse including the impact of domestic abuse on victims and their children.
19. Understand the principles of risk assessment, safety planning and risk management for victims of domestic abuse and their children
20. Understand safeguarding issues, and the legal responsibilities surrounding these issues.
21. Experience of direct service delivery to victims of domestic abuse or other vulnerable people.
22. Have strong communication, negotiation and advocacy skills, both written and verbal when interacting with a range of agencies and individuals.
23. To understand and be committed to equal opportunities and diversity issues in policy and practice.
24. Strong crisis management skills and the ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations.
25. Good communication skills, a proactive approach and the confidence to be able to influence the way in which this service is delivered are key.