Sandwell Independent Domestic Violence Advisor

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, civil remedies, support in court, individual and group support and access to a range of therapeutic interventions. All services are client and needs-led.

Within the Community Services Directorate, the following vital services are delivered:

• 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)

This position is located within the Community Domestic Violence and Abuse Support Service. The BCWA Community Domestic Violence and Abuse Support Service supports victims of domestic violence and abuse in Sandwell, Dudley, Wolverhampton and Walsall through a range of contracted/commissioning arrangements. The service works in partnership with other BCWA services and key agencies to assess risk and provide tailored support plans for service users. Our integrated approach provides effective holistic support for survivors of abuse using a trauma-informed approach.

The team: Our specialist Community Domestic Abuse Support Service supports male and female victims of domestic violence and abuse living in Sandwell, Dudley and Walsall through a range of contracted/ commissioning arrangements. We have a team of supportive, dedicated, self-driven individuals who empower clients to make informed choices, helping them to live a life free from abuse.

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 postholder will have a good understanding of the dynamics of domestic abuse and how this can affect victims.

The Role: Our Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVA) provide a high-quality frontline domestic abuse support service to those at high risk of harm. As an IDVA, you will support victims of domestic abuse to assess level of risk, inform victims of their options and develop tailored safety plans to protect the victim and their children. You will work within a multi-agency framework to advocate for the victim, including responding and reporting to Multi-agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC) on behalf of the victim.

The role also supports the empowerment of victims/survivors, assisting them to recognise the dynamics of domestic abuse present in their own situation through one-to-one support and group work, to help them regain control of their lives. If you are self-driven, compassionate and hardworking with lots of ambition we would love to hear from you.

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. Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies. The post holder must be female.

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, as a responsible employer need to ensure that we do not employ anyone illegally. To avoid discrimination we treat all job applicants equally. We, therefore, ask all candidates selected for interview to bring original documentation to show their Right to Work in the UK.