Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA EK)

Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA)

Location: Colindale
Directorate: Family Services
Service: Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG)
Contract: As required by service
Reports to: Domestic Abuse/VAWG Service Manager

Job Purpose

To provide high-quality, independent, trauma-informed support and advocacy to victims and survivors of domestic abuse who are at risk of harm. The postholder will assess risk and need, develop and implement personalised safety and support plans, advocate for victims and survivors, and work collaboratively with statutory and voluntary-sector partners to improve safety and outcomes.

The postholder will contribute to the development and delivery of the Barnet Domestic Abuse Support Hub (BDASH), managing a complex caseload and ensuring interventions are delivered within relevant legislation, safeguarding procedures, professional standards and service requirements.

Key Responsibilities

1. Direct Support and Advocacy

• Provide specialist, trauma-informed emotional and practical support to victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

• Undertake comprehensive needs and risk assessments using recognised tools, including DASH.

• Develop, implement and regularly review individual safety and support plans.

• Undertake proactive casework, including community and home visits and assertive outreach where appropriate.

• Support victims through criminal, civil and family justice processes.

• Advocate for victims in relation to housing, health, social care, legal services and other relevant agencies.

• Support access to safe accommodation, refuge, legal advice, healthcare and specialist services.

• Ensure victims’ views, wishes and experiences are accurately represented and recorded.

• Provide risk-reduction interventions tailored to individual circumstances.

2. Safeguarding and Risk Management

• Identify and respond promptly to safeguarding concerns involving adults and children.

• Assess and balance risk and protective factors within relevant legislative and professional frameworks.

• Review and reassess risk following significant changes in circumstances.

• Develop appropriate safety plans and elevate high-risk cases in accordance with procedures.

• Attend and contribute to safeguarding, Child in Need, Child Protection and Adult and Family review meetings.

• Maintain a clear focus on victim safety and the prevention of further harm.

3. Multi-Agency Working

• Actively participate in MARAC, MAPPA and other safeguarding and multi-agency forums.

• Work closely with police, housing, health, social care, education, legal services and voluntary-sector organisations.

• Share relevant information appropriately in accordance with safeguarding requirements, the Data Protection Act and UK GDPR.

• Coordinate multi-agency interventions to ensure a consistent and effective response to risk.

• Act as a single point of contact where appropriate to simplify communication and reduce re-traumatisation.

• Build effective professional relationships and contribute to partnership and service-development initiatives.

4. Case Management and Documentation

• Manage an allocated caseload according to complexity, risk and available resources.

• Maintain accurate, confidential and timely case records.

• Prepare written intervention plans, risk assessments, case summaries and professional reports.

• Provide clear written and verbal reports for courts, safeguarding meetings and other professional forums.

• Ensure casework is completed within agreed timescales and service standards.

• Review outcomes and update intervention plans in response to changing needs and risks.

5. Advocacy and Service Development

• Promote the rights, views and interests of victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

• Identify barriers within services and contribute to institutional and strategic advocacy.

• Participate in VAWG forums, Domestic Abuse Champions networks, MARAC Steering Groups and relevant strategic meetings.

• Contribute to the development and improvement of the BDASH service.

• Identify emerging trends and practice issues and contribute to service improvement.

• Deliver domestic abuse and VAWG awareness training to colleagues and partner professionals where required.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Level 3 regulated qualification in supporting victims of domestic abuse, such as SafeLives IDVA training or an equivalent recognised qualification.

• Minimum 2 years’ post-qualification experience working with victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

• Satisfactory Enhanced DBS clearance.

• Demonstrable experience of managing complex domestic abuse cases.

• Experience of undertaking risk assessments and safety planning.

• Experience of multi-agency working and safeguarding processes.

• Experience supporting victims through criminal, civil and/or family justice processes.

Essential Knowledge

• Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

• Children Act 1989.

• Care Act 2014.

• Domestic abuse safeguarding frameworks.

• DASH risk assessment methodology.

• MARAC processes.

• Criminal, civil and family justice systems.

• Protective orders and special measures.

• Trauma-informed practice.

• Intersectional and culturally responsive approaches to domestic abuse.

• Data protection, confidentiality and information-sharing requirements.

Essential Skills and Competencies

• Specialist domestic abuse advocacy.

• Risk assessment and risk management.

• Safety planning.

• Complex case management.

• Safeguarding adults and children.

• Trauma-informed communication.

• Assertive outreach and engagement.

• Multi‑agency partnership working.

• Professional report writing.

• Evidence analysis and professional judgement.

• Effective communication and negotiation.

• Problem solving and decision making.

• Confidential case recording.

• Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.

• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Key Performance Areas

The postholder will be expected to:

• Maintain a safe and appropriately managed caseload.

• Complete risk and needs assessments within required timescales.

• Deliver effective safety and intervention plans.

• Maintain accurate and GDPR‑compliant case records.

• Participate effectively in MARAC and safeguarding processes.

• Demonstrate positive outcomes for victims and survivors.

• Meet agreed service performance and quality standards.

• Contribute to effective multi‑agency working and continuous service improvement.