At a Glance
- Tasks: Support high-risk victims of domestic abuse, providing practical and emotional assistance.
- Company: FearFree, dedicated to breaking the cycle of abuse in the Southwest.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, professional development, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on trauma-responsive support and community impact.
- Why this job: Empower victims and help them regain control of their lives in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Understanding of domestic abuse and military experience is essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
FearFree delivers services across the Southwest for victims, children and perpetrators of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking with the aim to break the cycle of abuse and support all to live free from fear. We provide trauma responsive support, and this post will be fundamental to ensuring service users, stakeholders and partners experience this in our daily delivery.
Based within the Wiltshire Domestic Abuse Service, the IDVA teamwork within a multiagency system to provide a proactive, person-centered independent service for victims of domestic abuse, empowering choice through informed decision making. A good understanding of domestic abuse and extensive knowledge of the Military is essential for this role.
Key elements of the role include:
- Managing a caseload of high-risk victims and working proactively to support them and their families.
- Risk assessing and helping to keep service users safe through safety planning.
- Enabling victims to access statutory and other services.
- Engaging with and supporting the MARAC process, to ensure that the voice of victims is heard.
- Chairing the Military Domestic Abuse Multi-agency forum.
As the Military IDVA you will specialise in the unique needs of victims who have a military link. Additional knowledge and responsibilities include:
- Supporting high risk victims who have a link to the military services.
- Supporting complex cases and understanding their additional needs.
- Knowledge and understanding of the Military.
- Having additional knowledge of relevant complimentary services.
- Supporting and advocating for service users to access other relevant services for their needs.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide a high-quality service to those at the highest risk.
- Provide practical and emotional support to service users, working jointly with them to carry out, implement and review needs assessments and support plans.
- Understand and work effectively within a multi-agency framework, consisting of the MARAC and local partnership responses to domestic abuse, in order to reduce the risk for service users and their families.
- Identify and assess the risks and needs of service users using an evidence-based risk assessment.
- Work with high-risk service users to help them access services, to keep them and their families safe.
- Advocate for high-risk service users with agencies who can help to address the domestic abuse.
- Understand the role of all relevant statutory and non-statutory services available to service users and how your role fits into them.
- Provide information to service users in relation to legal options, housing, health and finance.
- Work directly with all key agency partners to address the safety of high-risk service users and ensure that their safety plans are coordinated particularly through the MARAC.
- Manage a case load ensuring each person receives the appropriate support, tailored to their needs.
- Support the empowerment of the service user – assisting people to recognise the features and dynamics of domestic abuse present in their situation and help them regain control of their lives.
- Support service users to maintain existing accommodation and advocate on their behalf, in order to access accommodation and additional support.
- Develop and maintain working relationships with specialist agencies, both statutory and voluntary, to support those with multiple support needs.
- Recognise, respect and address the needs of service users who face barriers when seeking help to access the service, including those from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, LGBT communities, disabled people, those with complex needs and other groups which services have found difficult to reach.
- Provide practical and emotional support in relation to criminal and civil remedies, housing, health, education, employment, welfare benefits, counselling, legal aid and children's support.
- Accompany service users, when needed, to other relevant agencies and support them in their interactions with these agencies.
- Work alongside colleagues to deliver a whole family approach.
- Be proactive with your line manager to carry out periodic case reviews.
- Respect and value the diversity of the community in which the services work in and recognise the needs and concerns of a diverse range of survivors ensuring the service is accessible to all.
- Help maintain accurate and confidential case management records and contribute to monitoring information for the service.
General
- Remain up to date and concordant with organisational procedures, policies and professional code of conduct, upholding standards of best practice.
- Attend and contribute to team meetings.
- Contribute to effective team working with a flexible and pro-active approach, including cover for other team members' holidays and sickness where required.
- Undertake agreed training and keep updated on changes in legislation, policy, and best practice.
- Support additional duties at your team manager's discretion.
Hours: 22.5 - 37 hours per week; part time or full time roles available.
Military Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) in London employer: Fear Less
FearFree is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by domestic abuse, particularly within the military community. With a strong focus on trauma-responsive support and a collaborative work culture, employees are empowered to grow professionally while making a difference in the lives of high-risk victims. Located in Wiltshire, the organisation offers flexible working hours and a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusivity, ensuring that all team members can thrive in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Military Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) in London
✨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 Fear Less.
✨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 Fear Less!
✨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 Fear Less, 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 Fear Less 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 Military Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) in London
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 Fear Less:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Fear Less! 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 Fear Less
✨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.
