Children's Domestic Violence Advocate (CHIDVA)

The Early Childhood Partnership has recently been awarded the Medium to Standard Risk Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) and Therapeutic Support Service by the Bedfordshire Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC). As part of this exciting development we are seeking a dedicated Childrens Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (CHIDVA) to join our growing team.

This role provides an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by supporting children and young people across Bedfordshire who have witnessed or experienced domestic abuse.

Key Responsibilities:
Provide practical and emotional support to children and young people affected by domestic abuse including teenage relationship violence.
Develop and implement both immediate and long-term safety plans in collaboration with the child or young person.
Conduct comprehensive risk assessments and work to reduce potential harm.
Facilitate access to therapeutic legal housing educational and other community support services.
Empower young people to achieve their personal goals and build resilience.
Work in close partnership with schools social care health services and other agencies to ensure coordinated and effective responses.
Support and advise professionals in partner agencies to better identify understand and respond to children and young people impacted by domestic abuse.

We are looking for someone who is:
Experienced in working with children and young people particularly those affected by trauma or abuse.
Knowledgeable about domestic abuse its impact on children and relevant safeguarding legislation.
Skilled in risk assessment safety planning and multi-agency working.
Compassionate empathetic and committed to empowering young people.
Able to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience:
IDVA or equivalent domestic abuse training.
Background in youth work social work counselling or education.

Why Join Us
This is a unique opportunity to be part of a newly commissioned service with the chance to shape how children and young people are supported across Bedfordshire. You will join a committed child-centered team working to ensure that every young person affected by domestic abuse has a voice and a pathway to recovery.

*Early applications are encouraged as interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.*

At One YMCA we are an inclusive organisation and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent skills and potential. We do not discriminate on the basis of Age Disability Gender Reassignment Marriage/Civil Partnership Pregnancy/Maternity Race Religion/Belief Sex and/or Sexual Orientation. We encourage applications from all backgrounds communities and industries and are committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills experiences and abilities.

One YMCA and its subsidiaries the Early Childhood Partnership (ECP) and Signpost are on an exciting journey to double our impact by 2025. We are over half way through an exciting new strategy launched in the first hour of the new decade via email where all staff and volunteers were invited to put themselves forward to apply and attend an intensive three-day Kickstarter Event.

By the end of these three days there was a brilliantly multi-faceted set of themes and ideas which formed the starting point for the rest of the Mission 25 process to build on. The aim of Mission 25 is to give every staff member and volunteer the opportunity to play their part in shaping the strategy to do more and better together so that we double our impact by 2025. We deliver a vast array of services across Herts Beds and Bucks that reach over 135000 individuals annually.

These include:

• Provision of over 700 units of accommodation for homeless people
• Move on accommodation for individuals moving onto independent living
• Housing and practical/emotional support for young asylum seekers
• Community HUBs hosting a range of activities and meeting space hire
• Childcare provision in Hertfordshire
• Family support through a network of childrens and family centres covering Hertfordshire and Bedford
• Therapeutic and non-therapeutic support for male and female victims of domestic abuse and their children
• Independent sexual violence services across Bedfordshire Luton and Hertfordshire
• Domestic abuse perpetrator reform programmes across Bedfordshire
• Youth services offering emotional wellbeing support and youth club opportunities for 11-19 year olds alongside our National Airplay programme funded by the RAF Benevolent Fund
• A community gym where everyone can enjoy the benefits of physical exercise Our values remain at the forefront of how we operate as a charity and it is important to us that all staff and volunteers can fully buy in to our ethos.