At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families affected by domestic violence in court and community settings.
- Company: Join Refuge, the UK's largest provider of specialist services for domestic abuse.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; role restricted to women due to its nature.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of survivors and promote social justice.
- Qualifications: Experience in family court proceedings and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 28444 - 28444 £ per year.
We are recruiting for two Child-Focused Court Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (Child-Focused Court IDVA) to join our team in Warwickshire.
Location: Warwickshire - The role is court and community based. Flexible working may be required to meet court and service needs. Please note due to the nature of the role, which is primarily delivered within the community, regular home working cannot be accommodated.
Salary: £28,444.40 per annum
Contract type: Full Time, Fixed Term (Until March 2028)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
We are looking for two skilled, values driven IDVAs who are committed to challenging inequality, reducing harm, and improving safety for adults and children affected by domestic abuse.
You will bring relevant professional experience, together with strong skills in risk assessment, survivor engagement, safety planning, and communication. You will be confident working in complex and high-risk situations, balancing empathy and compassion with professional curiosity, clear boundaries, and accountability.
We are particularly interested in candidates with:
- Significant knowledge and experience of family court proceedings.
- Extensive experience of writing analytical and evidence-based reports for family court hearings, child protection conferences, statutory reviews, or similar settings, demonstrating sound professional judgement, analytical thinking, and attention to detail.
- Experience of producing high-quality reports to tight deadlines.
We are seeking people who work in a trauma-informed, survivor-centred, and strengths-based way, recognising each survivor as the expert in their own life. You will understand the impact of gendered violence, power and control, oppression, and structural inequalities on survivors' experiences, and be able to apply this understanding effectively in your day-to-day practice. You will be committed to promoting equity, inclusion, and social justice, and to supporting survivors with respect, dignity, and without judgement.
This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.
Closing Date: 09:00am 21 September 2026
Interview Date: 8 and 9 October 2026
Refuge is the UK’s largest provider of specialist services, and we are proud to be a leader in our field and an employer of choice, with leading edge systems for supervision, quality management and development.
For more information on our work, please visit www.refuge.org.uk.
Benefits: Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.
Child-Focused Court Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (Child-Focused Court IDVA) X2 employer: CIPHR iRecruit .
Refuge is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the safety and well-being of both staff and survivors. Located in Hertfordshire, the Independent Gender Violence Advocate role provides meaningful opportunities for professional growth within a values-driven partnership, where employees are encouraged to develop their skills while making a significant impact in the community. With a commitment to trauma-informed support and continuous service improvement, Refuge ensures that every team member feels valued and empowered in their vital work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Child-Focused Court Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (Child-Focused Court IDVA) X2
✨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 CIPHR iRecruit ..
✨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 CIPHR iRecruit .!
✨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 CIPHR iRecruit ., 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 CIPHR iRecruit . 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 Child-Focused Court Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (Child-Focused Court IDVA) X2
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 CIPHR iRecruit .:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to CIPHR iRecruit .! 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 CIPHR iRecruit .
✨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.
