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- Tasks: Support victims of domestic abuse with tailored advice and advocacy.
- 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 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) to join the team in London, working 37.5 hours a week. 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 would 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.
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.
How to apply
To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date. If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.
Independent Domestic Violence Advisor in City of Westminster employer: Victim Support
Contact Detail:
Victim Support Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Domestic Violence Advisor in City of Westminster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. The more connections we have, the better our chances of landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for interviews by doing mock sessions with friends or family. We can help each other out by sharing common questions and tips to ace those interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When we get the chance to speak with potential employers, let our enthusiasm for the role shine through. They want to see that we genuinely care about making a difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our applications are seen. Plus, we can tailor our submissions to highlight how we meet the essential criteria for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Independent Domestic Violence Advisor in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for supporting victims of domestic abuse shine through. We want to see your commitment to making a difference and how your values align with ours at Victim Support.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Independent Domestic Violence Advocate. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the job description, especially your understanding of domestic abuse and crisis management.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured responses that make it easy for us to see how you meet the essential criteria.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Victim Support
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of domestic abuse, its impact on victims, and the support systems available. Brush up on risk assessment principles and safety planning, as these will likely come up in your interview.
✨Show Your Empathy
As an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate, empathy is key. Prepare to share examples from your past experiences where you've demonstrated compassion and understanding towards vulnerable individuals. This will show that you can connect with victims on a personal level.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Strong communication is crucial in this role. Think about how you would explain complex issues clearly and concisely. You might want to practice answering common interview questions out loud to ensure you convey your thoughts effectively.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your crisis management skills. Prepare by thinking through potential situations you might face as an IDVA and how you would handle them. This will demonstrate your ability to think on your feet and make sound decisions under pressure.