Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) (Safe Horizons)

(Please note that applicants are usually appointed at the bottom of the relevant band)

Are you looking for a rewarding role working for an intersectional feminist organisation? If so, we have an incredible opportunity for you to join our team as an

You will be joining a team of committed and inspiring individuals whose dedication has saved the lives of thousands of women, men and children in the capital. We are looking for friendly and diligent individuals to join our services and help us make a difference.

Our core values reflect our history and were developed in consultation with staff and service users. Feminism and intersectionality are key to our work and we are committed to the principles of being survivor-led, trauma-informed, empowering, diverse, anti-racist and anti-discriminatory.

Solace Women’s Aid provides a wide range of services to victim/survivors of domestic and sexual abuse in Islington including a large advocacy and support service and specialist projects co-located in a number of services. Safe Horizons is a project commissioned by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and a new collaborative, survivor centred pan London Domestic Abuse support service. Safe Horizons is a partnership of thirteen specialist organisations, led by Victim Support. Together, we are responding to the growing scale, complexity, and severity of domestic abuse with a unified, culturally competent, and victim survivor focused approach. The partnership brings together the strengths of specialist organisations, each with deep expertise and lived experience in supporting their communities. The Safe Horizons partnership and all resources within it have been created to reflect the diversity and complexity of London’s communities. Through our innovative approach to support, Safe Horizons aims to respond to the crisis of capacity in domestic abuse services, reduce harm and improve outcomes for victim/survivors, especially those for whom a digital offer 24/7 may be safer and more suitable.

We are seeking an IDVA to provide high quality case work support, advocacy and information services to survivors of domestic abuse who are experiencing significant harm from interpersonal harm and relationship abuse. You will carry out DASH Risk Assessments in a timely manner and refer high risk cases to the Daily Safeguarding Meeting where appropriate. Working with survivors, you will agree Individualised Safety and Support Plans, working to reduce risk and meet identified needs including making referrals to other appropriate agencies. You will provide an effective and well managed case work service working to targets agreed in the Safety and Support Plan and to act as an advocate for survivors keeping their safety at the centre of all coordinated responses. You will work on the Pan-London project, linking in with key partners and agencies.

The successful candidate will have at least one year experience of working with victims of domestic and/or sexual abuse in a multi-agency setting and a working knowledge of the criminal and civil justice systems.

A CAADA /Safe Lives/Women’s Aid IDVA or DAPA qualification is desirable.

You will have a good understanding of the causes and dynamics of domestic and sexual abuse, including its impact on victims/survivors. A flexible approach to your work and a commitment to the values of Solace Women’s Aid is essential.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees, including:

• Flexible working
• Focus on learning and development (internal career progression and training)
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Employer pension contribution
• Family-friendly leave and enhanced maternity pay
• Access to Inclusion Networks
• Daily clinical debriefing
• Employee Assistance Programme providing free 24/7 support and advice
• Employee Benefits Platform offering staff discounts, benefits and savings
• Flow & Restore yoga classes
• Meditation sessions
• Cycle to Work Scheme

When applying for this role, kindly highlight in your Supporting Statement how your values, knowledge, transferrable skills, and experience align with each point within the following sections of the Job Profile Document:

• Values, Behaviours & Competencies
• Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Solace Women's Aid values diversity, promotes equity, and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, abilities, perspectives, and lived experiences. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay, and benefits. Our Inclusion Networks support staff with protected characteristics and offer inclusive spaces to connect.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as needed and support employees who acquire a disability or long-term health condition, enabling them to stay in work.

This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2) e of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

As part of safer recruitment practices, we carry out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and right to work in the UK checks.

No agencies.