At a Glance
- Tasks: Support victims of domestic abuse with face-to-face and virtual assistance.
- Company: Join Victim Support, a charity dedicated to helping those affected by crime.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, birthday off, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives every day.
- Qualifications: Experience in supporting vulnerable individuals and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 27054 - 33066 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for 2 Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVA) to join the team in London, working 37.5 hours a week to provide maternity cover. This role involves both face to face and virtual support in a hybrid model of working, you will work from home and Victim Support Office at Victim Support, 3rd Floor, 5-7 Singer Street, London, Greater London, EC2A 4BQ.
Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it? Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care? If yes, then we'd love to hear from you…
What we offer:
- Flexible Working Options: Including hybrid working.
- Generous Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
- Birthday Leave: An extra day off for your birthday.
- Pension Plan: 5% employer contribution.
- Enhanced Allowances: Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
- Exclusive Discounts: High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
- Financial Wellbeing: Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary-deducted finance.
- Wellbeing Support: Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
- Inclusive Networks: Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
- Sustainable Travel: Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
- Career Development: Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career progression.
About the role:
As an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate you will:
- Implement effective ways of working with victims and those supporting them to increase safety and reduce harm.
- Provide a high-quality, front-line service to victims of domestic abuse, delivering a premium service prioritised according to risk, primarily focusing on victim/survivors aged 16+.
- Work within a multi-agency framework consisting of the MARAC and local partnership responses to domestic abuse to keep safety central to all services for victims of domestic abuse.
You will need:
- Knowledge of help-seeking barriers and support needs of victims of domestic abuse (in heterosexual or same-sex relationships).
- A good understanding of domestic abuse including the impact of domestic abuse on victims and their children.
- To understand the principles of risk assessment, safety planning and risk management for victims of domestic abuse and their children.
- An understanding of safeguarding issues, and the legal responsibilities surrounding these issues.
- Experience of direct service delivery to victims of domestic abuse or other vulnerable people.
- Strong communication, negotiation and advocacy skills, both written and verbal when interacting with a range of agencies and individuals.
- Understand and be committed to equal opportunities and diversity issues in policy and practice.
- Strong crisis management skills and the ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations.
Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.
About Us:
Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences. Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.
At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities. As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.
Independent Domestic Violence Advisor employer: South West Community Chaplaincy
South West Community Chaplaincy is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and growth. As a Housekeeping Assistant at Galanos House, you will enjoy flexible hours, generous holiday allowances, and a fulfilling role that directly contributes to the quality of life for residents in Southam, Warwickshire.
Contact Details:
South West Community Chaplaincy Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Domestic Violence Advisor
✨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 South West Community Chaplaincy.
✨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 South West Community Chaplaincy!
✨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 South West Community Chaplaincy, 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 South West Community Chaplaincy 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 Independent Domestic Violence Advisor
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 South West Community Chaplaincy:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to South West Community Chaplaincy! 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 South West Community Chaplaincy
✨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.
