At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide advocacy and support for women survivors of domestic abuse in a dynamic team.
- 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.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of women while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in domestic abuse support and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 32000 £ 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 Specialist Housing IDVA.
Salary: £27,000 - £32,000 depending on experience
Location: Hammersmith Head Office and once a month you will attend St Mungo's
Hours: 35 hours per week Thursdays early shift (8am) and evening between 6-9pm on rota basis (approximately every 4-5 weeks)
Contract: Fixed Term Until March 31st 20267
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. This role is also subject to Police Vetting.
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. Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
About the role: The Specialist Housing Advocate will work within a dynamic, fast-paced team to provide intervention, advocacy and support that empowers women and ensures that the voice of survivors informs every stage of their journey towards improved safety. The successful candidate will work with service users in Hammersmith and Fulham, Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea with an identified housing need, including those who are homeless or have additional needs, such as poor mental health, substance use, or those who are victims of Modern Day Slavery and trafficking. We are looking for someone passionate about ensuring that all survivors of domestic abuse are able to access safe and appropriate accommodation which meets their needs. As part of this role you will attend St Mungo's once a month to provide outreach support.
To be successful as Specialist Housing Advocate you will need the below experience and skills:
- You will have an excellent understanding of domestic abuse and its effects on survivors and their children, and of best practice within the domestic abuse and housing sectors.
- You will be skilled in risk management and safety planning, remaining calm in a crisis and in handling sensitive information on a daily basis.
- The post holder will hold a caseload of survivors and will also be required to support Advance’s duty team on a rota basis which will involve completing intake assessments and providing crisis intervention support.
How to apply: Please submit your up-to-date CV with a supporting statement. Please note that only applications made via the job advert on the Advance careers page, and those that include a cover letter will be considered.
Closing Date for Applications: 26 April 2026
Interviews are taking place on a rolling basis. Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate.
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
Specialist Housing IDVA in Hammersmith, London employer: Advance
Contact Detail:
Advance Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Housing IDVA in Hammersmith, London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with others on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Understand their mission and how your skills align with their goals. This will help you stand out as someone who truly cares about their work.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or in front of a mirror. Get comfortable talking about your experiences and how they relate to the role. Confidence is key, so make sure you’re ready to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our amazing team at Advance Charity.
We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Housing IDVA in Hammersmith, London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Specialist Housing IDVA role. Highlight relevant experience and skills that align with our mission at Advance, especially your understanding of domestic abuse and housing sectors.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for supporting survivors and how your values align with ours. Be genuine and let your personality come through!
Follow the Application Instructions: We can only consider applications made via our careers page, so make sure you apply there! Double-check that you’ve included both your CV and cover letter to avoid any hiccups.
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, be sure to showcase your skills in risk management and crisis intervention. We want to see how you handle sensitive situations and support those in need effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Advance
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of domestic abuse and its impact on survivors. Familiarise yourself with best practices in the housing sector, as well as the specific challenges faced by women in these situations. This knowledge will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your passion for the role.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience in risk management and safety planning. Think of examples where you've remained calm under pressure or handled sensitive information. Being able to articulate these experiences will show that you're equipped to handle the demands of the Specialist Housing IDVA role.
✨Emphasise Empathy and Empowerment
Since this role is all about supporting survivors, be ready to talk about how you empower individuals in crisis. Share stories that highlight your ability to listen, support, and advocate for those in need. This will resonate with the organisation's feminist ethos and commitment to empowering women.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the organisation's approach to supporting survivors and their collaboration with other agencies. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the organisation aligns with your values. Plus, it gives you a chance to engage with the interviewers on a deeper level.