At a Glance
- Tasks: Support victims of domestic abuse in family court proceedings and provide emotional and practical assistance.
- Company: First Light, a committed organisation focused on equality and diversity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, wellbeing resources, and annual pay review.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of those affected by domestic abuse.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable individuals and relevant training or qualifications.
Family Court IDVA Salary: £25,954 per annum rising to £26,364 per annum after successful probation and £28,002 after accreditation
Holiday: 25 days annual holiday entitlement increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service per annum plus bank holidays (pro rata)
- Base: Plymouth Court, Brunswick House Plymouth and Plymouth community
- Area
- Covered: Plymouth
Contract: Permanent The Family Court IDVA will provide proactive support to the non abusive person to access:
- Civil Protection Orders
- Support with child arrangement orders
- Support to attend court within Local Authority cases.
- Support with Separation and Financial dispute hearings. The Family Court IDVA will:
- Provide emotional and practical support to clients experiencing Domestic Abuse and going through family courts proceedings.
- Carry out and complete risk assessments and safety planning inside the proceedings.
- Work closely with other IDVA’s and DAN's in the organisation to ensure that appropriate referrals are accepted into the service.
- Work in collaboration with partners to develop a better understanding of Domestic Abuse amongst professionals working within the legal system and to ensure that coercive control in proceedings is raised and limited.
- Predominently work out of Plymouth Court alongside other agencies.
- Advocate and be a voice for the victim.
- Support with applications, statements, and legal documents
- Work in a way that empowers the victims of domestic abuse, helping them to recognise and understand the dynamics of domestic violence and abuse.
- Ensure that all records are up-to-date and accurate. Essential requirements:
- Driving licence and access to a car
- Experience supporting victims of Domestic Abuse or working with vulnerable people
- Hold a Safe Lives IDVA training certificate, or a relevant degree, or demonstrable equivalent experience, or vocational qualification Added benefits:
- A comprehensive induction and training programme, with a hybrid working policy for a better work/life balance.
- A wellbeing day per financial year (1st April to 31st March)
- Access to external supervision to discuss personal or emotional responses to traumatic cases, to ensure emotional and psychological wellbeing.
- Health and wellbeing resources including our staff Wellbeing Group, Staff Consultation Committee and active participation in our employee engagement platform.
- Access to an Employee Assistance Programme which includes a 24/7 telephone helpline offering medical, emotional and financial support.
- Working for an organisation committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
We encourage applications from all sections of the community, and all backgrounds regardless of age, race, faith, disability, neurodiversities, genders, gender expression or sexuality.
First Light are a Disability Confident Committed Employer.
- Annual pay review and employer contribution pension scheme.
- Additional
Information: The successful applicant will be subject to a Disclosure & Barring check, and a social media check conducted by a third party organisation as part of our Safer Recruitment process.
Any future offer of employment is contingent on the satisfactory completion of these checks, as well as the receipt of two satisfactory employment references, with one being from your current or most recent employer.
Please note that in some roles staff may be required to work from a home/office base in accordance with our Hybrid Working policy.
Deadline for receipt of applications: Monday 12th October 2026 Expected date for interviews: To be confirmed with appropriate candidates If you do not hear from us within 10 working days of the deadline for receipt of applications, please assume you have been unsuccessful at this time.
We reserve the right to withdraw this advert early for the right candidate, so we encourage early applications.
To Apply If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for First Light, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application
Family Court IDVA in Plymouth employer: First Light
First Light is an exceptional employer dedicated to providing meaningful support to individuals experiencing domestic abuse in the Plymouth area. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we offer comprehensive training, access to external supervision, and a supportive work culture that prioritises equality, diversity, and inclusion. Our employees benefit from generous holiday entitlements, a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for professional growth, making First Light a rewarding place to build a career in health and social care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Court IDVA in Plymouth
✨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 First Light.
✨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 First Light!
✨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 First Light, 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 First Light 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 Family Court IDVA in Plymouth
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 First Light:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to First Light! 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 First Light
✨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.
