At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and empower survivors of domestic abuse in housing needs.
- Company: Next Link, a leading provider of domestic abuse services.
- Benefits: Up to 30 days annual leave, training opportunities, and health programmes.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable women and families.
- Qualifications: Understanding of domestic abuse, training skills, and experience in support planning.
We have a rewarding opportunity available for a Female* Domestic Abuse Housing IDVA to join our team based in South Glos. You will join us on a 12-month Fixed Term Contract on a full-time basis working 37.5 hours per week. In return, you will receive a competitive salary of Point 15 (Qualified) £30,024 per annum and benefits.
Established in 1999, Next Link is the leading provider of domestic abuse services to women and children in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. At Next Link we are committed to providing holistic, empowering and personalised support and advocacy to women and children experiencing domestic abuse.
In return for joining us, we will offer you:
- Up to 30 days annual leave (depending on length of service)
- 3 extra holidays including International Women's Day
- Excellent development and training opportunities
- Employer pension contribution (minimum 5% of your gross salary)
- Mindful Employer Plus Scheme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Long Service Awards
- Health & Wellbeing programme
About the role:
The roles will be based in the South Glos Council Housing team, and you will work alongside colleagues and other partners to support individuals and families who have a housing need and support around domestic abuse.
You will support and provide training to housing workers to develop a robust, trauma informed approach to service users faced with housing issues and domestic abuse, enhancing the response to DVA within South Glos Council housing teams and linking into and supporting strategic work across the county.
Key duties and responsibilities of our Female* Domestic Abuse Housing IDVA:
- To train and support housing staff to identify and support victims of domestic/sexual abuse.
- To establish and maintain support to individuals and families and their children, with a victim centred approach, focusing on safety and recovery.
- Using intelligence from a variety of sources, support housing teams to identify individuals and families in need who are at risk of domestic abuse.
- To provide advice and guidance to Housing teams and other partners dealing with domestic abuse.
- Be an active participant in multi-agency meetings and undertake regular consultations with housing and other partnership colleagues.
- To liaise effectively and collaboratively with partner agencies to respond to individuals and families in crisis and at risk.
- Champion service user empowerment and involvement by ensuring our services are accessible to all potential service users.
- Providing support to enable survivors to safely maintain their current accommodation, access welfare benefits, legal advice, alternative housing, and support services.
- Maintain an effective support service with the aim of enabling the survivor to develop the skills and resources necessary to move on and maintain independence and self-reliance.
This is not an exhaustive list of your duties and outlines the general ways in which it is expected you will meet the overall requirements of this post.
What we are looking for in our ideal Female* Domestic Abuse Housing IDVA:
- An understanding of the impact of domestic abuse on women, men and children.
- Knowledge of criminal and civil legal remedies and housing law relating to domestic abuse.
- Able to deliver training.
- Experience of support planning and risk assessment.
- Demonstrable understanding of the diverse needs of individuals and families experiencing domestic violence.
- Knowledge of Domestic Abuse risk assessment tools including DASH and extensive understanding of the MARAC process.
- An understanding of cultural diversity.
If you are passionate about supporting vulnerable women and families with housing needs, please apply now to join us as our Female* Domestic Abuse Housing IDVA and contribute to the valuable work Next Link and its wider services, delivering hope and support to survivors of domestic violence and abuse.
How to apply:
Please download the application pack from our website and complete the application form. Please submit your application by 9am Monday 21st September 2026. Interviews will be held weeks commencing 21st and 28th September 2026.
Next Link is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk of abuse, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Next Link is committed to Equal Opportunities.
Female* Domestic Abuse Housing IDVA in Clifton employer: Next Link
Next Link is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering women and children affected by domestic abuse in Bristol. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, we offer generous benefits such as up to 30 days of annual leave, excellent training opportunities, and a supportive work culture that values personal growth and community impact. Join us in making a meaningful difference while enjoying a flexible work environment and a focus on health and wellbeing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Female* Domestic Abuse Housing IDVA in Clifton
✨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 Next Link.
✨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 Next Link!
✨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 Next Link, 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 Next Link 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 Female* Domestic Abuse Housing IDVA in Clifton
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 Next Link:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Next Link! 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 Next Link
✨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.
