Bridge - Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA)

# Bridge - Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) Job Introduction Join the Drive Project Team at the Bridge Project in Bradford We are recruiting two full-time EXPERIENCED Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) to work with a full, multi-disciplinary team to deliver the Drive Project in Bradford - a nationally recognised, evidence-based response to high-harm domestic abuse. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a purpose-built service, bringing together skilled practitioners across roles to work collectively, safely and effectively to reduce serious harm and increase safety for children and adults.As well as offering meaningful and rewarding work, The Bridge Project is a well-established Bradford charity with over 40 years' experience, employing more than 120 staff across the district. We deliver a wide range of integrated services supporting people affected by domestic abuse, substance use, homelessness, mental health challenges, and complex trauma. Our work is rooted in compassion, partnership, and a strong commitment to reducing harm and creating lasting change.Joining The Bridge Project means becoming part of a team that values you, your wellbeing, your growth, and your future. Alongside a rewarding career, you'll enjoy a benefits package designed to help you thrive: Competitive salary that reflects your skills and contribution 32 days of annual leave to rest, recharge, and enjoy life outside work 4% employer pension contribution to support your long term financial security A dedicated Learning & Development programme to help you grow and progress 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme offering confidential advice whenever you need it Death in service benefit worth three times your salary for added peace of mind Refer a friend bonus of £500 when you help us bring great people on board Two hours of monthly wellbeing time to pause, connect, and reset with your team A programme of mindfulness activities to boost focus on overall wellbeingThe Bridge Project is proud to be a Mindful Employer , championing a workplace where wellbeing truly matters.You will be joining an organisation that values your expertise, invests in your development, and supports you to do your best work as part of a collaborative, values-led team. About the Drive Project (Bradford) The Drive Project is not a pilot or test programme, It is a well-established national model, currently being rolled out across England, reflecting sustained national commitment to coordinated, whole-system responses to domestic abuse. In Bradford, the service is being delivered by The Bridge Project in partnership with the Drive Central Team and West Yorkshire Combined Authority and will be fully embedded within local safeguarding and partnership arrangements from the outset.The Drive Project works with individuals who pose the highest risk of causing serious harm within intimate or family relationships. The programme combines intensive individual case management with a coordinated multi-agency response, creating the conditions for accountability, behaviour change and sustained risk reduction, while keeping victim and survivor safety at the centre of all activity.The Bradford Drive service will be delivered by a dedicated, multi-disciplinary team, and we are recruiting to all posts comprising of: 1 Service Manager (full time), providing operational leadership, safeguarding oversight, model fidelity and day-to-day supervision and management of the service 4 full time Case Managers , working directly with individuals who cause harm to challenge abusive behaviour, promote responsibility, and sustain engagement over time 2 full time Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs) , providing specialist, victim-centred advocacy, safety planning and risk management; IDVAs receive additional external clinical supervision alongside in-house specialist support 1 full time Panel Coordinator , responsible for managing the Drive Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Panel, including intelligence flow, action tracking and multi-agency coordinationThe team will operate with fidelity to the Drive model, a trauma-informed, strengths-based framework, balancing challenge and accountability with engagement and support. Staff will work closely a range of systems and service such as police, probation, children's and adult safeguarding, housing, health and specialist adult and child domestic abuse services to ensure a coordinated and effective response to high-risk harm and victim/ survivor safety . Funding and Retention The Drive Programme is currently funded through a Home Office national programme. While funding beyond March 2027 remains subject to government spending reviews and funding cycles, Drive is a well-established, evidence-based model that is currently under national roll-out, reflecting continued national prioritisation of whole-system responses to high-harm domestic abuse.In recognition of the commitment involved in joining a time-limited, externally funded programme, the organisation offers a £2,000 retention payment . This will be paid through the March 2027 payroll to staff who successfully complete the full funded period. The payment is guaranteed and will be made regardless of whether the programme continues beyond this date. Who We're Looking For We are looking for EXPERIENCED, skilled, values-driven practitioners who are committed to reducing harm and improving safety for children and adults affected by domestic abuse. You will bring relevant professional experience, strong assessment, engagement and communication skills, and the ability to work confidently with complexity, risk and challenge. Across all roles, we are seeking people who can balance clear boundaries and accountability with empathy, curiosity and respect, and who are able to work reflectively within a trauma-informed, strengths-based framework.You will be comfortable working as part of a multi-disciplinary team and in close partnership with other agencies, sharing information appropriately and contributing to collective decision-making. We are particularly keen to hear from people who value learning, supervision and reflective practice, and who want to help shape and embed a high-quality service within a well-established national model.We are looking to build a team that reflects the breadth of Bradford's communities and can work confidently, respectfully and effectively with individuals and families across the city. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and value cultural awareness, curiosity and competence. Relevant language skills are also welcomed and valued.If you would like to have an informal conversation about the role, please contact Director of Operations Tracey Hogan on to arrange this.To apply for this role, please complete The Bridge Project application form , which is an important part of our recruitment and selection process. We use the information you provide to understand your skills, experience and career history, and to assess how these match the stated requirements of the role.We encourage you to complete the form as fully as possible, using specific examples to show how you meet the criteria. This helps us to ensure a fair and consistent process for all applicants. Please note that we are unable to accept CVs or applications from employment agencies. The closing date is 9.00 am Monday 16 February 2026 Shortlisting will take place on Tuesday 17 February 2026 Interviews will be held on Monday 23 February 2026 The following content displays a map of the job's location. OpenStreetMap contributors Bridge - Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) Salary £30,790 Frequency Annual Job Reference bradfordmbc/TP/1294/1609 Contract Type Permanent Working Hours