At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young survivors of domestic abuse, helping them rebuild confidence and find their voice.
- Company: Join Alongside, a compassionate organisation dedicated to empowering vulnerable communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, competitive salary, and access to discounts and training.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with strong support for diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience with children affected by abuse and a passion for advocacy.
The predicted salary is between 22244 - 22244 £ per year.
Salary: £22,244 per year (£27,805 FTE)
Hours: 30 hours per week
Contract type: Permanent
Location: Banes
Participate in an out-of-hours on-call rota.
A full driving licence and access to your own vehicle for work purposes.
About Alongside:
Alongside is the new name for Julian House. We work with people experiencing social exclusion across the South and West of England, providing outreach, accommodation and support. Our clients may be sleeping rough, fleeing abuse, rebuilding after trauma, leaving prison, recovering from addiction, or trying to settle safely in a new community. Whatever their starting point, we work alongside people to help build safety, stability and independence.
About the Role:
As a Children and Young People's Domestic Abuse Advocate (CIDVA), you'll play a vital and inspiring role in helping young survivors find their voice, rebuild their confidence, and feel truly heard. Working with children and young people aged 5–17 who have experienced domestic abuse, you'll provide compassionate, tailored support within a safe refuge environment alongside their non-abusive parent.
At the heart of this role is empowering young people, helping them understand their experiences, express themselves, and begin to move forward in a positive way. Through high-quality one-to-one support, you'll offer guidance, advocacy, and reassurance, ensuring each young person feels supported every step of the way.
You'll also bring creativity and energy to the role by delivering engaging group programmes focused on building healthy relationships, resilience, and emotional wellbeing. Alongside this, you'll coordinate meaningful activities and work closely with partner agencies to ensure every child and young person receives the joined-up support they need.
This is a truly rewarding opportunity to make a lasting difference - supporting young people at a pivotal time in their lives and helping them build safer, brighter futures.
What you'll be doing:
- Work closely with young survivors to co-produce and deliver personalised support plans that reflect their individual needs, strengths and goals.
- Supporting young people as they transition from refuge into independent living, helping to build confidence and stability during resettlement.
- Carrying out and regularly reviewing risk assessments to ensure the safety and wellbeing of each young person, in line with safeguarding policies.
- Building strong partnerships with external agencies, enabling young people to access wider community resources and receive holistic, wraparound support.
Please note: Job descriptions are not exhaustive, and the successful candidate may occasionally be asked to take on other duties that align with the key responsibilities outlined.
What we're looking for:
- Experience of working with children and young people affected by domestic or sexual abuse, with a passion for supporting them to feel safe, heard, and empowered.
- A strong understanding of trauma-informed approaches and the impact domestic abuse can have on young people's wellbeing and development.
- A full driving licence and access to your own vehicle for work purposes.
There are many great reasons to join our team!
- Access to our Rewards Platform, which includes an Employee Assistance Programme and Health Cash Plan
- 27 days annual leave, including an extra day off for your birthday, plus bank holidays - increasing up to 30 days after 4 years of continuous employment (pro rata for part-time staff)
- 30% staff discount at our charity shops
- A generous and competitive pension scheme
- A supportive culture where staff feedback is highly valued and regular supervisions with line managers are conducted
- Great opportunities for career development and free monthly training sessions from experienced facilitators
- For all the fantastic and valuable work, you'll be doing, you'll be eligible for the Blue Light Card which offers amazing discounts on thousands of brands
- Reflective Practice sessions from objective, external facilitators
Our Ethos:
As an Equal Opportunities employer, we have an Equality and Diversity Action plan in place showing our commitment in ensuring continuous improvement in creating an inclusive culture. We also have a committed group of Inclusion & Diversity champions who meet monthly to ensure progress is being made. We invite applications from people from all backgrounds and cultures, especially minority groups that are underrepresented in the workplace. We also welcome applications from those with lived experience. We embrace flexibility and are proud to be a Disability Confident and Mindful employer, as well as an Armed Forces Covenant Supporter.
If you have any special access requirements or other support needs throughout the application process (including interview), please contact us so that we can let you know how we can support you. We accept CVs and applications in all formats.
DBS Checks:
We welcome applications from people with lived experience. All applicants working with our clients will be expected to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. A criminal conviction will not necessarily prevent you from becoming an employee, the decision will depend on the type of offence and its relevance to the role. If you would like to discuss any convictions you may have, please contact the person named in the advert. All information will be dealt with according to our Data Protection Policy.
Children's Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (CIDVA) in Bath employer: Alongside
Alongside is an exceptional employer, offering a fulfilling role as an Assistant Retail Manager in Bath, where you can truly make a difference in the community. With a supportive culture that values staff feedback, generous annual leave, and opportunities for career development, you'll find a rewarding environment that prioritises your growth and well-being. Join us to enjoy competitive benefits, including a staff discount and access to our Rewards Platform, all while contributing to a meaningful cause.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children's Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (CIDVA) in Bath
✨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 Alongside.
✨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 Alongside!
✨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 Alongside, 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 Alongside 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 Children's Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (CIDVA) in Bath
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 Alongside:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Alongside! 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 Alongside
✨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.
