Independent Domestic Violence Advisor

Are you passionate about supporting victims of domestic abuse and making a real difference in their lives Join our hardworking and dedicated team as an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA).

As an IDVA you will provide support to standard and medium risk victims of domestic abuse helping them to increase their safety and make informed choices for their future.

Key Responsibilities
Conduct risk assessment and complete individualised safety and support plans with clients
Provide support tailored to the needs of your clients either by telephone or face to face
Advocate for clients with external agencies such as legal services housing and the courts
Co facilitate wellbeing and domestic abuse awareness groups

You will need to be a compassionate and resilient professional with:
A minimum of an A level NVQ3 or equivalent a degree or SafeLives IDVA qualification
Comprehensive knowledge of domestic abuse its impact and relevant legislation
Excellent communication advocacy and problem solving skills
Experience of working with victims of domestic abuse
Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable individuals
Able to travel across Bedfordshire

We do not provide visa sponsorship; you must be eligible to work in the UK. You must reside in the UK for the duration of your employment and provide Right to Work evidence.

As some of our roles involve working with vulnerable members of society this position may require a Basic or Enhanced Criminal Disclosure which will be conducted once a conditional offer is made

Previous Applications: We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. However if you have applied for a similar role within the last 6 months and were not successful please consider whether your experience has developed further before reapplying

Accessibility & Adjustments: We are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and will strive to be as accommodating as possible. Please inform us in advance of any arrangements you may need to fully participate in the process.

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.

This is a Full Time role.
Hours per week: 37.5
Working Pattern: Monday-Friday

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.