Independent Domestic Violence Advocate

We are looking for a resilient and dedicated person to join our Avon & Somerset team as an Adolescent and Child to Parent (APV/CPV) Violence Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA), working within the VS team as part of the Avon & Somerset Victim Service partnership.

The service provides support across the whole geography of Avon & Somerset. This role involves making initial contact with victims of adolescent and child to parent violence and providing initial support in a dynamic and ever-changing environment. The role is part-time and is hybrid between our Bristol office and home working. A suitable and confidential workspace at home is therefore required.

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

What we offer

At Victim Support, we are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent. Our competitive rewards and benefits package includes:

• • Flexible Working Options: Including hybrid working.
  • Generous Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
  • Birthday Leave: An extra day off for your birthday.
  • Pension Plan: 5% employer contribution.
  • Enhanced Allowances: Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
  • Exclusive Discounts: High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
  • Financial Wellbeing: Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary-deducted finance.
  • Wellbeing Support: Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
  • Inclusive Networks: Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
  • Sustainable Travel: Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
  • Career Development: Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career progression

About the Role:

You will provide high quality support to all victims of APV/CPV, leading on completing initial impact and risk assessments that are comprehensive and holistic. You will also provide cover for the local VS Helpline.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify and assess the risks and needs of APV/CPV victims using an evidence-based risk identification checklist.
• Focus on and prioritise high risk cases and provide a pro-active, short to medium term crisis intervention service. Deliver individually appropriate tailored support and information, advocacy, and practical support.
• Work with victims of APV/CPV to assist them in accessing services to keep them and their family safe. Develop individual safety plans to meet client's needs as identified in the risks and needs assessment.
• Ensure each victim receives an individually appropriate tailored support and information service that fully meets their needs, keeping complex needs central to all processes and decisions.
• Work within the legal framework relating to the protection of children and vulnerable adults, including the policy and procedures of the Local Safeguarding Adult and Children's Boards.
• Providing advocacy and information to victims including exploration of legal and civil options, housing, health and finance and support clients through the criminal justice system.
• Support the empowerment of the client.
• Comply with data protection legislation, confidentiality and information sharing policy and procedures, as well as all legislation connected to your work.

About you:

You will need:

• A good command of the English language both verbally and in writing.
• A good understanding of APV/CPV and/or domestic abuse including the impact of these on victims and their children.
• Understand the principles of risk assessment, safety planning and risk management for victims of domestic abuse and their children.
• Understand Safeguarding issues and the legal responsibilities surrounding these issues
• Direct service delivery experience to victims of domestic abuse or APV/CPV
• Experience of working within a multi-agency and legislative framework
• Experience of managing a complex caseload, to prioritise work and deal with competing demands
• Strong crisis management skills and the ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations
• Excellent communication, negotiation and advisory skills, both written and verbal when interacting with a range of agencies and individuals
• An IDVA qualification or willingness to work towards this

Please note that duties may differ to those listed in the job description due to the nature of APV/CPV work so this provides an indication of duties.

This role involves regular travel and due to the location, a driving license and access to a vehicle is considered an essential requirement. If you are unable to drive because of a disability, please indicate this in your application in your personal statement so we can explore the feasibility of alternative arrangements.

About Us:

Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.

How to apply:

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date. If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.