At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team providing vital support to women survivors of domestic abuse.
- Company: Join Advance Charity, a feminist organisation dedicated to empowering women and girls.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days paid holiday, flexible hours, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a community-focused organisation with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in women's lives while developing your career in a meaningful way.
- Qualifications: Experience in domestic violence advocacy and strong risk management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 33000 £ per year.
Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!
We are looking for a Senior IDVA.
Salary: £32,000 - £33,000 depending on experience
Location: Hammersmith
Hours: 35 Hours per week including Thursdays early shift (8am) and evening between 6-9pm on rota basis (approximately every 4-5 weeks)
Contract: Permanent
This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be 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.
About us
Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community. We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community.
Job Summary
As Senior IDVA you will work within a dynamic, fast-paced crisis intervention, advocacy, and support service to ensure the voice of survivors informs every stage of the process. This role combines oversight of the Duty IDVA service with specialist responsibility for MARAC coordination and participation. You will lead on MARAC responsibilities, oversee the Duty service, line manage two Duty IDVAs, support the Angelou Service Manager with administrative tasks, and hold a reduced caseload providing high-quality advocacy and support based on client-led needs and risk assessments.
You will ensure that the Duty service runs effectively, maintaining referral pathways, ensuring that documents and procedures are in place and embedded into working practice supporting those covering duty as required. You will line manage the Duty IDVAs and will manage the allocation of cases from duty, liaising with Managers. You will assist the Manager with data collection, data analysis and problem solving. Acting as the MARAC lead for the team you will oversee the quality of the internal MARAC process, ensuring cases are prepared and presented effectively, attend MARAC meetings on a rota basis and follow up on agreed actions.
You will also contribute to duty work, conducting calls and initial assessments and responding to crises, working within the team to make proactive contact and provide high quality advocacy and support based upon a client led needs and risk assessment to women referred to our service. You will have an excellent understanding of domestic violence and its effects on women and children and of best practice within the domestic abuse sector and in working with women with children. The post holder will be proficient in data collection and case work recording.
As an experienced domestic violence advocate who has worked with complex and multiple needs, you 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 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.
How to apply:
Please submit your up to date CV along with a covering letter via our careers site.
Closing Date for Applications: 6th July 2026 @ 23:59
Interviews will be taking place the week of the 13th July 2026.
What we can offer you - Employee Benefits:
- A 35-hour working week
- 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.
Locations
Senior Duty IDVA in Hammersmith, London employer: Advance
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 organisation that values their contributions and well-being. Located in Hammersmith, this role provides the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of survivors of domestic abuse while working alongside passionate colleagues committed to a feminist agenda.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Duty IDVA in Hammersmith, London
✨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.
✨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!
✨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, 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 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 Senior Duty IDVA in Hammersmith, London
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:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Advance! 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
✨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.
