Independent Domestic Violence Advocate

Role:                                      Qualified Independent Domestic Violence Advocate

Location:                               Merseyside

Type:                                      Permanent

Salary:                                   £31,000 -  £32,000 per annum

Our client, a specialist domestic abuse charity, is seeking an IDVA to support survivors at high risk of harm from intimate partners, ex-partners, or family members. The role focuses on ensuring their safety and that of their children.

Synopsis of duties:

To provide practical and emotional support to women, applying the principles of effective casework when supporting survivors of domestic violence and other forms of violence and abuse at the highest risk and their children and to advocate for survivors to ensure their needs are met  
To establish the risks to and the needs of survivors of domestic violence and other forms of violence and abuse, identifying and prioritising those at the highest risk.   
To develop and deliver individual support and risk management plans to address the risk of harm to survivors of domestic violence and other forms of violence and abuse and their children, working directly with all key agency partners to ensure that their plans are coordinated through the MARAC.  
To advocate, both verbally and in writing, in a range of settings including in civil and criminal proceedings and with criminal justice professionals  work in partnership with other agencies, including participation at the MARAC, and to contribute to the design of interventions and the design of plans which protect survivors and their children whilst maintaining an independent role on behalf of the survivors, keeping their safety central to the plans.   
To be an ambassador, working in partnership with other agencies to ensure an effective, coordinated community response to survivors of domestic violence and other forms of violence and abuse and their children 
To ensure that any issues in relation to safeguarding children or vulnerable adults are brought to the immediate attention of the advocacy coordinator, or if unavailable another manager  
To recognise, respect and address the needs of service-users who face barriers when seeking help to access the advocacy service, including those from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, LGBT communities, disabled people and other hard to reach groups.   
To support the empowerment of survivors, assisting them to recognise the dynamics of domestic abuse present in their own situation, and to help them regain control of their lives.   
To carry out periodic and regular case reviews in liaison with the line manager, to review ongoing risk and needs, using the outcomes to inform action planning. 
To report any problems/difficulties/complaints to the line manager and participate in follow up investigations as required. 
To maintain confidentiality and to ensure that professional boundaries are observed when working with clients, staff and external bodies and to work within Code of Conduct.    Essential Requirements:

Qualified IDVA
Worked with vulnerable adults and children, including those with complex needs.
Keeping written/electronic records and evaluations.Supporting Futures Consulting acts as both an employer and an agency