Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA)

Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) - Temporary Contract (approx 13 months)
Full time 40 hours per week covering the Hart and Rushmoor area of North Hampshire
Salary - £22,450 unqualified or £24,450 qualified
Availability - to start as soon as possible

We are a provider of Support, Care and Advice Services. We work alongside people to gain the tools and resources they need to live independent, secure and valued lives.

We are looking to appoint a suitably experienced IDVA or a skilled DVA worker who will have the opportunity to develop their existing skills working with those at high risk of domestic violence abuse.

The IDVA will address issues relating to safety of the client and their children, they will assess levels of risk and discuss and deliver a range of interventions and develop safety plans. IDVA's work with the client and are pro-active in delivering plans to address immediate safety issues and thereby decreasing risk and harm. The IDVA attends the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) and will deliver plans including actions from the MARAC as well as exploring remedies available through civil or criminal courts.

Is this you.......

* I provide practical and emotional support to clients experiencing high risk domestic violence and abuse
* I develop safety plans with clients and advocate on their behalf, when required to do so, to ensure the actions identified in the plans are carried out
* I will develop risk assessments with clients to address the risk of harm to them and their children
* I will work directly with all identified partner agencies and ensure all plans and assessments are coordinated through the MARAC
* I will work with clients to ensure that all MARAC referrals are carried out when indicated by risk levels or professional judgment
* I will work with other agencies and participate at the MARAC, contribute to the design of interventions and risk plans whilst ensuring I keep the needs of the client at the heart of all I do
* I will advocate on behalf of the client and ensure their voice is heard at MARAC
* I will work with others to offer client needs led services in particular to those whose ethnicity or life choices or experiences make it hard for them to access services
* I advocate for clients to ensure their needs are met in a variety of settings, including civil and criminal proceedings and with criminal justice workers
* Together with my manager we will carry out regular case reviews in line with national recommended case management
* I will engage with regular clinical supervision to ensure the safety of my work and that I offer national accepted best practice at all times

Do you have:

* Relevant qualification or equivalent to Diploma/Degree/NVQ 4 or equivalent work level experience
* Nationally recognised IDVA qualification or willingness to complete IDVA training within a year of appointment
* Experience of supporting women, men and children who have been subject to domestic violence and abuse
* Experience of undertaking strengths, needs & risk assessments
* Experience of undertaking DASH RIC

Can you:

* be person centred at all times
* share best practice knowledge
* work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and staff team which will include evenings and weekends (as required)
* act with integrity, be trustworthy and treat people with dignity and respect
* remain calm when dealing with a crisis or emergency
* develop and maintain excellent relationships with people both within YOU and externally, and be an ambassador and champion for our work

Our clients have told us that they want the post holder to:

*be approachable but also firm and fair
* listen to the client, work with the client
* always be realistic with clients, be honest and patient
* but mostly be HUMAN

If you would like to find out more about the role or take the first step in our application process please call Jayne Hardy 07919 112361
Jayne will talk to you about the service and ask you a few key questions to help assess your suitability for the role.