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- Tasks: Support high-risk domestic abuse victims with tailored, trauma-informed care and safety planning.
- Company: Join a dedicated charity committed to making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, wellbeing resources, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional development and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact while empowering vulnerable individuals to reclaim their lives.
- Qualifications: Experience in supporting vulnerable people and understanding domestic abuse dynamics.
The predicted salary is between 25954 - 28002 £ per year.
Salary: £25,954 per annum rising to £26,364 per annum on successful completion of probation and £28,002 per annum after accreditation.
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Holiday: 25 days annual holiday entitlement increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service per annum plus bank holidays
Base: Brunswick House, Plymouth and around Plymouth
Area Covered: Community and outreach delivery across Plymouth
Contract: Permanent
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
Essential requirements:
- Literacy skills and experience working with databases.
- Hold a SafeLives 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.
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: 09:00 on 8th June 2026
Expected date for interviews: W/c 15th June 2026
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: Due to Safeguarding requirements we are unable to accept CVs as part of your application, or employ any candidate who has been a client of First Light within the last two years. Please complete the application form on the top right of the advert on our website. Ensure that you outline your relevant experience and evidence suitability for the role against the role profile, which is a combined job description and person specification. Alternatively, you can email info@firstlight.org.uk.
Independent Domestic Violence Advisor [IDVA] in Plymouth employer: First Light
Contact Detail:
First Light Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Domestic Violence Advisor [IDVA] in Plymouth
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research First Light and understand their values, mission, and the specific challenges they tackle. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. This can give you insider knowledge about the role and the team, plus it might just land you a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how your experiences align with the key responsibilities of the IDVA role. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and demonstrate your skills effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to reinforce your interest in the position and keep you fresh in their minds.
We think you need these skills to ace Independent Domestic Violence Advisor [IDVA] in Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start writing, give the job description a good read. We want to see how your experience aligns with the role of an IDVA, so make sure you understand what we're looking for!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! We love it when candidates highlight their relevant experience and skills that match the IDVA role. Show us how you can keep victims safe and support them effectively.
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out the application form, keep your answers clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your experience and qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember, we only accept applications through our website, so make sure you complete the application form there. It’s the best way for us to review your application and get back to you!
How to prepare for a job interview at First Light
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor inside out. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, especially around risk assessments and safety planning. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare to discuss your advocacy and partnership-working skills. Think of specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully supported vulnerable individuals or worked within multi-agency frameworks. This will demonstrate your ability to handle the complexities of the role.
✨Be Person-Centred
Since this role is all about providing person-centred support, be ready to talk about how you would approach working with clients experiencing high-risk domestic abuse. Highlight your understanding of trauma-informed care and how you would tailor your support to meet individual needs.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions. Inquire about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or how the organisation supports its staff in dealing with the emotional aspects of the job. This shows your commitment to both the role and your own professional development.