At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide frontline support for victims of domestic abuse across various locations in London.
- Company: Advance, a leading provider of domestic abuse services in London.
- Benefits: 30 days paid holiday, employee discounts, pension scheme, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with hybrid working options and excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of women and children affected by domestic violence.
- Qualifications: Experience in domestic violence advocacy and understanding of safeguarding procedures.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 35000 £ per year.
Service/Division: Domestic Abuse Services
Salary: £28,000 - £35,000 per annum. The salary offered will be dependent on your level of experience and whether you hold an IDVA qualification.
Hours: 35 hours (1-2 days per week working from home depending on placement)
Location: Various locations across London; including some time spent in Hammersmith
Contract Type: Permanent
This post is open to female applicants only as this is deemed a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
Please note: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check. In the future, this role may be subject to Police Vetting but this check will not delay your start in the role.
Job Summary
Advance delivers nationally accredited, high quality domestic abuse services across London. Advance's domestic abuse services are community based and include local authority commissioned advocacy services, co-located projects in a range of settings such as housing and children's social care, and specialist projects for victim/survivors with different intersecting needs including children and young people.
As a Peripatetic Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA), you will provide front line support across Advance’s domestic abuse services, covering vacancies across teams to ensure service delivery remains effective and consistent. You will cover a range of roles all involving advocacy and support of people experiencing domestic abuse; some roles may also involve co-locating with partner agencies, delivering training or undertaking triage and assessment work. Your office location and pattern of work will change depending on your placement however all roles offer the opportunity for some hybrid working.
This role is an excellent opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and experience in a range of settings and would suit someone who is passionate about advocating for victim/survivors of domestic abuse. You will thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy the diversity of working across a range of roles within different teams. An excellent understanding of domestic violence and its effects on women and children is essential, alongside some past experience working directly with victim/survivors of domestic abuse.
About You
To be successful as the Peripatetic IDVA you will need the below experience and skills:
- You will have an excellent understanding of domestic violence and its effects on women and children and of best practice within the domestic abuse in various areas of need, with particular knowledge of safeguarding and legislation.
- As an experienced domestic violence advocate who has worked with complex and multiple needs, the post holder will be skilled in risk management and safety planning, remaining calm in a crisis and in handling sensitive information on a daily basis.
- Experience of direct work with female survivors of domestic violence, of supporting women with child safeguarding needs, and of working within safeguarding procedures is essential for this post, as is the need to adopt and promote a strong partnership approach to service provision.
Closing Date for Applications: Friday 4th September 2026
Interviews are taking place on a rolling basis and may take place before the closing date. Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate.
What we can offer you - Employee Benefits:
- An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that's nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!)
- Additional days off to celebrate International Women's Day, and for religious observance and moving home
- Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more
- Pension scheme
- Enhanced maternity/adoption provision
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee eye-care scheme
- Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles
- Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation
- Organisation wide away days
- Thorough induction and training
- Career development pathways
Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and we will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.
Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities
We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. 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.
Safeguarding
Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.
IDVA Violence Against Women & Girls · Hammersmith · employer: Advance Charity
Advance Charity is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering women and girls, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises collaboration, innovation, and accountability. With generous benefits including 30 days of paid holiday, enhanced maternity provisions, and career development pathways, employees are encouraged to grow within a community-focused environment. Located in Hammersmith, this role provides the unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of women navigating the criminal justice system while working alongside passionate professionals in a dynamic setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IDVA Violence Against Women & Girls · Hammersmith ·
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Advance Charity.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Advance Charity!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Advance Charity, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Advance Charity or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace IDVA Violence Against Women & Girls · Hammersmith ·
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Advance Charity:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Advance Charity! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Advance Charity
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
