At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adults facing high-risk domestic abuse with proactive, person-centred interventions.
- Company: Join First Light, a dedicated organisation committed to equality and diversity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, wellbeing days, hybrid working, and comprehensive training.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and emotional support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in supporting vulnerable individuals and strong communication skills required.
IDVA Location: Plymouth
Salary: £25,954 per annum rising to £26,364 per annum on successful completion of probation and £28,002 per annum after accreditation.
- Vacancy
- Type: Permanent, 37.5 hours per week
- Closing
Date: 4th of December 2026 The Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) role will deliver a proactive, person-centred and trauma-informed support service to adults experiencing high-risk domestic abuse in all its forms.
The role focuses on keeping victims and their families safe through support intervention, comprehensive safety planning, and coordinated multi-agency responses.
The post holder will provide a premium service to those assessed as being at the highest risk, working assertively and flexibly to engage clients, including completing face-to-face outreach in community settings and their homes where required.
Clients may present with complex and multiple needs, including substance misuse, mental and physical health issues, learning needs, criminal justice involvement, and other vulnerabilities.
The IDVA will work proactively within multi-agency forums, including MARAC, to assess risk, share information, and develop robust safety and support plans.
Strong advocacy and partnership-working skills are essential to ensure victims are supported to access statutory and voluntary services appropriate to their risks and needs.
The role requires a highly motivated and adaptable individual who can work unsupervised on a day-to-day basis, effectively prioritising and managing a complex caseload while maintaining a strong focus on victim safety, empowerment, and recovery.
Key responsibilities
- To provide a pro-active service to those experiencing high risk domestic abuse to keep them and their families safe, including access to support for the abusive person.
- To complete person-centred individualised risk assessments and support plans to reduce risk and identify individual needs.
To deliver appropriate support in keeping with the results.
- To provide advocacy, emotional, practical support and information to victims to address identified risks and needs including safety planning, housing and security, online safety, separation and post separation, children, health and wellbeing, legal, financial and any other additional support needs identified.
- To deliver support in the community, essential face to face support in the environment which best suits the client.
- To manage, support and prioritise daily referrals received, ensuring timescales are met in respect of first contact.
* To participate in the MARAC framework including
- Referring High risk victims to MARAC
- Attending and participating in MARAC meetings
- Following up on actions agreed in MARAC
- Receiving referrals direct from MARAC
- To ensure, through liaison with both the client and partner agencies, that clients receive the support they require and to which they are entitled. Essential requirements:
- Literacy skills and experience working with databases
- Hold a Safe Lives IDVA training certificate, or a relevant degree, or demonstrable equivalent experience, or vocational qualification
- Supporting victims of domestic abuse, or working with vulnerable people
- Have a good understanding of the impact of domestic abuse on victims and their children.
- Understand safeguarding issues (children and vulnerable adults) and the legal responsibilities surrounding these issues.
- Understanding the principles of risk assessment, safety planning and risk management for victims of domestic abuse and their children
- Have excellent communication, negotiation and advisory skills, both written and verbal when interacting with a range of agencies and individuals
- Handling confidential and sensitive information appropriately
- Understand and be committed to equal opportunities and diversity issues in policy and practice 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.
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
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 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 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.
