Job Description
Are you passionate about supporting victims of domestic abuse and making a real difference in their lives? Join our dedicated and compassionate team as an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA).
In this role, you will provide high-quality, survivor-centred support to standard and medium-risk victims of domestic abuse, helping them to increase their safety, navigate their options, and make informed choices about their future.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide high-quality, trauma-informed, survivor-centred support to high-risk victims of domestic abuse
- Carry out comprehensive risk assessments and safety planning, using tools such as DASH
- Advocate on behalf of survivors with statutory and voluntary agencies, including police, social care, housing, health, and legal services
- Represent and support clients through the MARAC process, ensuring risks and actions are clearly communicated and followed up
- Support survivors to understand their options around criminal justice, civil remedies, housing, and welfare
- Maintain accurate, confidential case records in line with GDPR, safeguarding, and organisational policies
- Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns involving adults and children
- Build strong multi-agency relationships to improve outcomes and reduce risk for survivors
- Empower survivors to make informed choices and increase their safety and independence
You will need to be a compassionate and resilient professional with:
- A minimum of an A level, NVQ3 or equivalent, a degree or SafeLives (Desirable not essential)
- IDVA qualification (Desirable not essential)
- Comprehensive knowledge of domestic abuse, it's impact and relevant legislation
- Excellent communication, advocacy and problem solving skills
- Experience of working with victims of domestic abuse
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
- Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable individuals
- Able to travel across Bedfordshire
We welcome applications from candidates who are either qualified IDVAs or those who do not yet hold the formal qualification but have relevant experience supporting survivors of domestic abuse. If you have demonstrable experience working with high-risk victims, strong safeguarding knowledge, and the skills to provide trauma-informed, survivor-centred support, we would be keen to hear from you. We recognise the value of lived and professional experience and are open to supporting the right candidate to achieve the IDVA qualification as part of the role
Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship accept applications from individuals who already have the right to work in the UK for the position applied for
As some of our roles involve working with vulnerable members of society, this position may require a Basic or Enhanced Criminal Disclosure, which will be conducted once a conditional offer is made
Previous Applications: We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. However, if you have applied for a similar role within the last 6 months and were not successful, please consider whether your experience has developed further before reapplying
Accessibility & Adjustments: We are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and will strive to be as accommodating as possible. Please inform us in advance of any arrangements you may need to fully participate in the process.
At One YMCA, we are an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, welcoming the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We are committed to creating a working environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
We welcome applications from all backgrounds, communities, and industries, and are committed to building a diverse workforce made up of a wide range of skills, experiences, and abilities.
This is a Full Time role.
Hours per week: 37.5
Working Pattern: Monday-Friday
