At a Glance
- Tasks: Support survivors of gender-based violence and collaborate with professionals to enhance safety.
- Company: Join Solace Women’s Aid, a feminist organisation dedicated to ending gender-based violence.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous holiday, training opportunities, and wellness support.
- Other info: Hybrid role with a focus on personal development and inclusive workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of women and children affected by violence.
- Qualifications: Experience in supporting victims of domestic/sexual violence and knowledge of justice systems.
The predicted salary is between 28350 - 34650 £ per year.
Are you looking for a rewarding role within an intersectional feminist organisation? We have an incredible opportunity for a Senior IDVA (MASH) to join Solace Women’s Aid. Solace exists to end the harm done through gender-based violence. We work to prevent violence and abuse and provide services to meet the individual needs of survivors, particularly women and children. Our work is holistic and empowering, working alongside survivors to achieve independent lives, free from abuse. 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: Solace Women’s Aid provides a wide range of services to victim/survivors of domestic and sexual abuse in Islington including a large advocacy and support service and specialist projects co-located in a number of services.
About the Role: This exciting role will provide advice and support to other professionals. A key part of this role involves contributing to the local Intimate Partner Violence Panel and Daily Safeguarding Meeting processes; representing survivors at these meetings and action planning alongside other agencies to improve survivor safety. Whilst working with other agencies, the Senior MASH IDVA will strive to keep survivor’s safety at the centre of all coordinated responses. The role involves the line management of frontline IDVAs, and management responsibilities of the overall projects are shared with the Service Manager. You will be working as part of a multidisciplinary team and collaborating with external agencies in your work.
About You: We're looking for highly organised and self-motivated applicants who are passionate about ending VAWG and safeguarding. You will have a “can-do” approach and demonstrable commitment to Solace’s feminist approach to supporting women and their children to be safer. You will receive training and support for this role as necessary. Ideal candidates will have at least 2 years of demonstrable experience of working with victims of domestic and/or sexual violence in a multi-agency setting and a working knowledge of the criminal and civil justice systems. The candidate will have essential experience of attending multi-agency risk-focused meetings such as MARAC, IPV or MAPPA. Successful applicants will have in-depth knowledge of domestic abuse and its impact on women and children, demonstrable substantial experience in providing emotional and practical support to victims of VAWG. A relevant qualification in VAWG or significant experience is essential.
Additional Information: This is a hybrid job role with the postholder working one day per week at Solace Head Office and a further day at our offices at Islington council. The remaining days can be remote based with the expectation of working additional days at our sites to meet demands of the service as required. The postholder will be required to have a relevant accredited VAWG /domestic abuse qualification.
What we can offer you: We provide a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees, including:
- 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
- Two paid wellbeing days
- 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
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 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, Part 1. Section 7(2)(e) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 applies. 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.
Senior IDVA (MASH) employer: Solace Womens Aid
Solace Women’s Aid is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and compassionate work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the survivors they assist. Located in Enfield, the organisation provides extensive employee growth opportunities through training and development, alongside a comprehensive benefits package that underscores their commitment to fostering a positive work environment. Joining Solace means being part of a dedicated team that makes a meaningful impact in the community, ensuring that every day at work is rewarding and fulfilling.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior IDVA (MASH)
✨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 Senior IDVA (MASH)
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.
