Role: CORE Independent Domestic Violence Advocate

Based: Brent / Ealing

Rate: £19 - £20 umb

Start Date: ASAP

Duration: Temp for 3 months

Hours: 35 hours per week – Hybrid, 2 days home working

Our client, a specialist charity, are recruiting for a Core IDVA to work within a dynamic, fast-paced, crisis intervention, advocacy and support service to ensure the voice of survivors informs every stage of the process.

Synopsis of duties:

Ensure effective access to the service for women and girls and encourage their engagement with services, through multi-agency working and service flexibility.
Hold a caseload and work on a rota basis within the team to conduct comprehensive assessments of needs and risk for women experiencing domestic violence, carry out short and long-term risk management, safety planning and support; and identify and refer to services appropriate to their needs, including attendance at specialist/dedicated courts and MARAC as required.
Develop and deliver support plans that include delivery of high-quality face-to-face or telephone crisis intervention, information, advocacy and support, in respect to criminal and civil remedies, housing, health, welfare rights, children’s legislation and other appropriate interventions.
Advise women of their rights and options for seeking help and support from other agencies, making referrals and coordinating the provision of multi-agency support where necessary, and proactively advocate, ensuring barriers to accessing support and protection are minimised.
Proactively assess the needs and safety of any children that women using the service may have, ensure that any risks/needs identified are addressed directly with the woman and take appropriate action to safeguard them.
Participate in multi-agency conferences in respect of children and adults at risk as required, providing reports and undertaking actions as necessary.
If a client is involved in the criminal justice system as a witness, provide them with information, advocacy and support as cases progress through the criminal justice system, supporting them to apply for special measures and to give impact statements, to maximise their safety, to help them give the best evidence and to accompany women to court where necessary.
Work with the Senior Services Manager, Team Manager and Data Insights Analyst to ensure all monitoring and evaluation for the project is accurate and fully maintained, keeping managers informed of any issues and successes.
Ensure that agreed case recording and monitoring systems are kept up to date and secure, and write internal and external reports where required, including for safeguarding conferences, team meetings, managers and others as required.
Participate in multi-agency working and focus groups when requested to do so, and follow through on agreed appropriate actions that arise from these.
Use appropriate institutional advocacy to maximise positive outcomes and use the appropriate reporting mechanisms to highlight persistent or recurring issues that arise.

Essential Requirements

A thorough understanding of the dynamics of domestic abuse (physical, emotional and sexual violence, so-called ‘honour-based violence’, forced marriage, stalking and harassment) and its impact on women, children, families and communities.
Knowledge and understanding of the needs and rights of and options for children and young people who are or have experienced domestic abuse, or have a parent experiencing domestic abuse, and the practical and emotional support needs
Thorough knowledge of safeguarding practice, procedures and legislation.
Enhanced Adult and Child DBS on the update service or dated within the last 12 months

Supporting Futures Consulting acts as both an employer and an agency

CORE IDVA