Independent Domestic Violence Advocate

Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (internally known as IDVA) Location

Covering Winchester and surrounding areas (20 hours)

Portsmouth (40 hours)

Salary

£16,489.50 (£32,979 FTE)

Employment Type

Permanent, Full & Part Time (20 hours)

Job Summary

PARAGON is a specialist team within The YOU Trust with a mission to 'together empowering change' for individuals, families, and communities. We are committed to ending violence against adults and children by empowering individuals and communities to change.

We are looking for the first suitable applicant.

Essential Requirements

• Nationally recognised IDVA qualification or willingness to commence/complete IDVA training within a year of appointment
• Experience supporting women, men and children who have been subject to domestic violence and abuse on a 1:1 or group work basis
• Experience and knowledge of safeguarding adults and children
• Experience of undertaking DASH RIC
• Knowledge of the function of Pathfinder and family court processes
• Knowledge of civil and criminal remedies and the legal system as it relates to those experiencing domestic abuse
• Understanding of domestic violence and abuse issues affecting families

The Role

The role of the MOJ IDVA is to work closely with judicial teams, including CAFCASS, Children Social Care and others to ensure that people experiencing domestic violence and abuse, and their children, receive support via family court processes. The role involves multi agency working, engagement with local partners, attending/preparing reports for court and other meetings such as MARAC, and providing one to one sessions, training, recovery group work, and partnership building in the community.

Responsibilities

1. Work and support the Paragon team to deliver the service in line with the service specification, KPIs and YOU processes, policies and procedures
2. Provide practical and emotional support to clients experiencing domestic violence and abuse
3. Co produce individual safety and support plans with clients and ensure the SMART actions are carried out
4. Complete evidence based risk assessments, such as the DASH RIC, addressing the risk of harm to each person, their children and wider family
5. Participate in MARAC and ensure outcomes are communicated to the client and incorporated into interventions and risk plans
6. Advocate on behalf of all victims and survivors of domestic violence and abuse with internal and external partners
7. Develop and maintain effective professional working relationships both internally and externally for the best interests of clients

About You

• Experienced, skilled and enthusiastic
• Used to working in a fast paced environment
• Passionate about working with victims/survivors of domestic abuse
• Work alongside clients as equal partners, giving advice and guidance that match their skills and strengths
• Develop positive working relationships with the local community and support agencies to create a network of support for clients

Our Benefits

• Competitive rates of pay and paid travel time, including a higher mileage rate for car sharing
• Enhanced annual leave entitlements with the opportunity to buy and sell holiday
• Matched pension scheme contributions, plus Death in Service Benefit and salary sacrifice options
• Enhanced sick pay allowances and paid compassionate and emergency dependent leave
• Excellent and professionally certified training, as well as access to fully funded apprenticeship programmes
• Real opportunities to develop in your profession
• Free health and wellbeing advice via a 24/7, confidential Employee Assistance Programme
• Everything you need for the role free of charge (mobile phone, safety equipment, technology, uniform where applicable, and a nice cup of tea or coffee throughout your day)
• Access to discounts across many favourite stores and online shopping sites

The You Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our clients. Applicants must be willing to undergo appropriate adult and child protection screening, including employment references and DBS check.

Where a role involves engaging in regulated activity relevant to adults and/or children it is an offence to apply if you have been barred from engaging in such regulated activity.