At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide vital support to survivors of domestic abuse and manage a caseload of clients.
- Company: Join Solace Women's Aid, an intersectional feminist organisation making a real difference.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous holiday, training opportunities, and employee support programmes.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to diversity and supporting employees with disabilities.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team dedicated to ending gender-based violence and empowering survivors.
- Qualifications: Experience in domestic abuse support and strong casework management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
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 as an IDVA (Adult Social Care) 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
The Bexley SASS team provides advocacy and support to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse living in Bexley. An exciting opportunity has arisen in this busy team for an IDVA (Adult Social Care). We provide a package of support covering crisis intervention, risk assessment, safety planning, assessment of needs and individual support planning.
About The Role
As an IDVA (Adult Social Care), you provide specialist, proactive support to survivors of domestic abuse who are at high risk of harm. You will work with individuals who have current or previous involvement with Adult Social Care, including those facing additional barriers to support. You will manage a caseload of around 30 clients, working closely with partner agencies including Police, Children's Social Care, and MARAC. Working alongside Adult Social Care's frontline triage team, you will offer guidance where domestic abuse is identified and deliver training to staff to build awareness and understanding of domestic abuse and its impact.
About You
You have a thorough understanding of domestic abuse and its impact on women and children, alongside experience of providing emotional and practical support and strong casework management skills. You have the skills to provide effective crisis intervention, carry out risk assessments, safety planning, and individual support planning, with demonstrable experience in an IDVA or similar role with this client group. Highly organised, self‐motivated, and passionate about ending gender‐based violence. You bring a "can‐do" approach and demonstrable commitment to Solace's feminist approach to supporting women and their children to be safer.
What We Can Offer You
- Flexible working
- 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: Values, Behaviours & Competencies 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.
IDVA (Adult Social Care) in London employer: Solace Womens Aid
Solace Women's Aid is an exceptional employer dedicated to creating a supportive and empowering work environment for its staff. With a strong focus on learning and development, generous benefits, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees are encouraged to grow both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in the lives of survivors of domestic abuse. Located in Bexley, the organisation fosters a collaborative culture that values feminist principles and prioritises the well-being of its team members.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IDVA (Adult Social Care) in London
✨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 Solace Womens Aid.
✨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 Solace Womens Aid!
✨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 Solace Womens Aid, 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 Solace Womens Aid 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 (Adult Social Care) in London
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 Solace Womens Aid:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Solace Womens Aid! 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 Solace Womens Aid
✨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.
