Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) in West Bromwich

About Black Country Women's Aid

Black Country Women's Aid (BCWA) is an established charity working across the Black Country and wider West Midlands, providing accommodation and community support services to victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse and human trafficking. Services range from advocacy and civil remedies to support in court, individual and group support, and access to a range of therapeutic interventions. All services are client and needs‐led.

Community Services Directorate:

• Community Domestic Abuse Support Services (Sandwell, Walsall and Dudley)
• Black Country IRIS (primary care) educator and advocacy service
• Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Services (Black Country)
• Black Country Sexual Abuse Forum
• Black Country Counselling Service
• Domestic and sexual abuse Children and Young Person's Service (Black Country)
• West Midlands Stalking Service
• Ask Marc (Male abuse referral centre)

Ask MARC is a service providing a clear referral pathway and dedicated specialist support to male victims of interpersonal abuse; this includes intimate partner and familial abuse, current, historic and childhood sexual violence, stalking, honour‐based abuse and forced marriage. The service raises awareness of the dynamics of abuse against men and responds to identified barriers that stop men from getting help. Ask MARC works in partnership with key agencies to assess risk and provide tailored support plans for clients. The West Midlands Office of the Police Crime Commissioner has commissioned the service to deliver support to high‐risk male victims of domestic abuse.

Job Role:

We are looking for a qualified/unqualified IDVA (training may be provided for the right candidate) to join our dynamic team. We are looking for someone with experience of supporting victims/survivors of domestic abuse, managing a caseload and understanding the principles of safeguarding children and adults. The post holder will have a good understanding of the dynamics of domestic abuse and how this can affect victims. This is a challenging role that requires empathy, compassion, excellent interpersonal and caseload management skills, a client‐centred approach and proactive crisis intervention.

Responsibilities:

• Provide high‐quality frontline domestic abuse support to those at high risk of harm.
• Assess the level of risk for victims and inform them of their options.
• Develop tailored safety plans to protect the victim and their children.
• Advocate for the victim within a multi‐agency framework, including responding to and reporting at Multi‐agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC).
• Empower victims/survivors by helping them recognise the dynamics of domestic abuse present in their situation through one‐to‐one support and group work.
• Assist clients to regain control of their lives.
• Actively support the empowerment of victims and survivors in a client‐centred manner.

Qualifications:

• Experience supporting victims/survivors of domestic abuse.
• Capability to manage a caseload effectively.
• Understanding of safeguarding principles for children and adults.
• Good understanding of the dynamics of domestic abuse.
• Empathy, compassion, and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong caseload management and crisis intervention skills.
• Commitment to a client‐centred approach.

Important Information for All Positions:

Black Country Women's Aid is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults, children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. It will be necessary for an enhanced disclosure to be made to the Criminal Records Bureau for details of any previous criminal convictions.

Employment Checks:

As a responsible employer, we adhere to safer recruitment practice and all our employees are subject to the following recruitment checks:

• Right to work in the UK

Under Section 8 of the Asylum and Immigration Act, we must ensure we do not employ anyone illegally. To avoid discrimination we treat all job applicants equally. All candidates selected for interview must bring original documentation to prove right to work in the UK. A copy of these will be taken; once the successful candidate is appointed, the unsuccessful candidate's documents will be destroyed confidentially.

Application Process:

To be considered for this position, click 'apply', and you will be emailed a link to an application form, job description, and an equal opportunities form, plus details on how to complete your application. CVs will not be accepted.