At a Glance
- Tasks: Support survivors of domestic abuse and triage incoming referrals in a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Solace Women's Aid, an intersectional feminist organisation making a real difference.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension contributions, training opportunities, and wellness programmes.
- Why this job: Empower individuals and contribute to meaningful change in the community.
- Qualifications: Experience in domestic violence support and strong administrative skills required.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to diversity and personal development.
The predicted salary is between 17631 - 20062 £ per year.
Salary: Unqualified: £17,631 - £18,402.60 per annum (Based on an FTE salary of £29,385 - £30,671 per annum) Qualified: £18,402.60 - £20,062.80 per annum (Based on an FTE salary of £30,671 - £33,438 per annum) (Please note that applicants are usually appointed at the bottom of the relevant band based on fairness and our pay scales)
Hours: 22.5 hours per week
Closing Time: 00:00am
Are you looking for a rewarding role working for an intersectional feminist organisation? If so, we have an incredible opportunity for you to join our team at Solace Women’s Aid. You will be joining a team of committed and inspiring individuals whose dedication has saved the lives of thousands of women, men and children in the capital. We are looking for friendly and diligent individuals to join our services and help us make a difference.
Our core values reflect our history and were developed in consultation with staff and service users. Feminism and intersectionality are key to our work and we are committed to the principles of being survivor-led, trauma-informed, empowering, diverse, anti-racist and anti-discriminatory.
About the Service:
Tower Hamlets Solace Advocacy and Support Service (SASS) provides advice and support to people aged 16+ in Tower Hamlets who are currently experiencing domestic abuse. Tower Hamlets SASS is a team made up of Core IDVAs, a Duty IDVA, and Co-located IDVAs; Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) IDVA, Housing IDVA, Housing Floating Support Worker, a MASH IDVA, a Hospital IDVA, and a GP IDVA.
About the Role:
We are looking for a Duty and Triage IDVA to join our team. The successful candidate will act as a first point of contact for incoming referrals to Tower Hamlets SASS. As the Duty IDVA you will triage referrals into the Tower Hamlets SASS team, responding to professionals and members of the public. You will be working as part of a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with external agencies. In addition, you will risk and needs assess and safety plan with survivors of domestic abuse.
About You:
The ideal candidate would have demonstrable experience of working with those affected by domestic and/or sexual violence and experience of managing risk and following case management procedures to meet the needs of a diverse and vulnerable client group. You bring a solid understanding of housing, welfare, and policies relating to domestic and sexual violence, alongside strong administrative and time-management abilities, including confident use of Excel and the capacity to juggle multiple tasks. You’re able to manage a busy and often complex caseload with professionalism and care. You have a well-developed understanding of the causes and dynamics of domestic and sexual abuse and the impact this has on victims and survivors. Your approach to work is flexible, empathetic, and grounded in the values of Solace Women’s Aid, with a commitment to empowering those you support.
What we can offer you:
- Focus on learning and development (internal career progression and training)
- Generous holiday entitlement
- Employer pension contribution
- Family-friendly leave and enhanced maternity pay
- Access to Inclusion Networks
- Daily clinical debriefing
- Employee Assistance Programme providing free 24/7 support and advice
- Employee Benefits Platform offering staff discounts, benefits and savings
- Flow & Restore yoga classes
- Meditation sessions
- Cycle to Work Scheme
How to apply:
When applying for this role, kindly highlight in your Supporting Statement how your values, knowledge, transferrable skills, and experience align with each point within the following sections of the Job Profile Document: Knowledge, Experience and Skills.
Solace Women’s Aid values diversity, promotes equity, and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, abilities, perspectives, and lived experiences. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay, and benefits. Our Inclusion Networks support staff with protected characteristics and offer inclusive spaces to connect. We are a Disability Confident Employer and committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as needed and support employees who acquire a disability or long-term health condition, enabling them to stay in work.
This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2) e of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. As part of safer recruitment practices, we carry out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and right to work in the UK checks.
Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) (Duty & Triage) employer: Solace Women's Aid
Contact Detail:
Solace Women's Aid Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) (Duty & Triage)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current employees at Solace Women’s Aid. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the organisation's values and mission. Make sure you can articulate how your experience aligns with their commitment to being survivor-led and trauma-informed. Show them you’re on the same page!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to domestic violence advocacy. Use real-life examples to demonstrate your skills and understanding of the issues faced by survivors.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) (Duty & Triage)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for supporting survivors of domestic violence shine through. We want to see how your values align with ours, so don’t hold back on sharing why this role matters to you!
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure to highlight how your skills and experiences match the specific points in the Job Profile Document. We’re looking for a clear connection between what you’ve done and what we need, so be as detailed as possible!
Be Professional Yet Personal: While it’s important to maintain professionalism, don’t forget to inject a bit of your personality into your application. We’re a friendly team, and we appreciate authenticity, so let us get to know the real you!
Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets to us without any hiccups, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure everything is in order and that we can review your application promptly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Solace Women's Aid
✨Know Your Values
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on how your personal values align with those of Solace Women’s Aid. Be ready to discuss how your commitment to feminism, intersectionality, and survivor-led support can contribute to the role of an IDVA.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your experience with domestic and sexual violence. Highlight your skills in risk management and case handling, as well as your understanding of the complexities involved in supporting vulnerable clients.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Policies
Brush up on relevant housing, welfare, and domestic violence policies. Being knowledgeable about these areas will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you’re serious about making a difference in the lives of those affected by domestic abuse.
✨Practice Empathy and Flexibility
During the interview, convey your empathetic approach and flexibility in dealing with complex situations. Share how you’ve adapted your methods to meet the needs of diverse clients, as this aligns perfectly with the values of the organisation.