Location
FCWA Offices, 77 Montague Street, Blackpool, FY4 1AT
Salary
- £26,500 (FTE unqualified) £21,200 based on 30 hours
- £28,500 (FTE qualified or after 2 years of service) £22,800 based on 30 hours
Hours
30 hours per week over 4 days (Monday–Thursday 9:00am–5:00pm). Days negotiable.
Vacancy Type
12 months, continuation subject to funding.
About FCWA
FCWA is an innovative, exciting, and friendly organisation run by a staff team who are passionate about bringing an end to domestic and sexual violence. Our work is holistic and empowering, working alongside survivors to achieve independent lives free from abuse.
Role and Key Responsibilities
The Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate (IDVA) plays a critical safeguarding role within the Drive Project, providing specialist, survivor-centred advocacy, safety planning and risk management for victims and survivors linked to Drive cases. The role ensures that survivors’ voices, safety, and well‑being remain central to system decision‑making throughout the Drive intervention.
- Proactively engage with victims/survivors to build bespoke safety plans, including security measures to increase their immediate and long‑term safety.
- Act as the crucial link between the perpetrators’ case manager and the victim/survivor to provide current updates and inform disruptive interventions (e.g., police action, bail conditions).
- Conduct regular risk assessments to monitor changes in the perpetrators’ behaviour and reduce the risk of harm to the victim/survivor and any children.
- Represent the victim/survivors’ needs in multi‑agency meetings (such as MARAC and DAPP), ensuring a coordinated approach between police, social services, housing, and health.
- Serve as the main contact point for victim/survivors to provide consistent support, information and advocacy throughout the intervention process.
- Support victims/survivors through the legal, criminal or civil justice systems. This post will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure and clearance.
- Provide ongoing recovery support to clients for up to 12 months.
Essential Criteria
- Thorough understanding of domestic abuse and its impact on victims, children, and families.
- Knowledge of risk assessment, safety planning, and risk management within domestic abuse services.
- Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities relating to children and vulnerable adults.
- Experience of providing direct support to victims of domestic abuse or other vulnerable groups.
- Experience working within multi‑agency partnerships and legislative frameworks.
- Experience using SafeLives DASH risk assessment tools.
- Ability to manage a complex caseload and prioritise competing demands effectively.
- Strong crisis management and problem‑solving skills.
- Excellent communication, advocacy, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
- Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office and electronic case management systems.
- Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and survivor‑centred practice.
Desirable Criteria
- IDVA qualification or willingness to work towards accreditation.
- Knowledge of civil and criminal justice remedies available to victims of domestic abuse.
- Experience working with individuals affected by mental health issues, substance misuse, or multiple disadvantage.
- Knowledge of housing, homelessness, welfare benefits, and CAFCASS processes.
- Understanding of Respect Standards and perpetrator intervention programmes.
Benefits
- Birthday day off.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Regular staff support sessions.
- Contri.
