Housing Independent Domestic Violence Advocate

Role: Housing IDVA

Based: Hammersmith and Co Locations (Stratford, Finsbury Park)

Rate: £20 umb

Start Date: ASAP

Duration: Temp ongoing

Hours: 35 hours per week Hybrid, 2 days home working

Our client, a specialist charity, is looking for a Housing IDVA to join their team. The Housing IDVA will work within a dynamic, fast-paced, crisis intervention, advocacy, and support service to ensure the voice of survivors informs every stage of the process.

Synopsis of duties:

• Work with housing service providers and the local council to introduce the service and encourage practitioners to identify domestic abuse, respond appropriately, and refer to the service.
• This will include being co-located within housing services and offering briefings and information to upskill housing workers and improve their response to domestic abuse.
• Hold a caseload and work within the team to conduct comprehensive assessments of needs and risk for women experiencing domestic abuse, carry out short- and longer-term risk management, safety planning, and support; and identify and refer to services appropriate to their needs, including attendance at specialist/dedicated courts and MARAC as required.
• Develop and deliver support plans that include delivery of high-quality face-to-face or telephone crisis intervention, information, advocacy, and support, in respect to criminal and civil remedies, housing, health, welfare rights, children's legislation, and other appropriate interventions.
• Advise women of their rights and options for seeking help and support from other agencies, making referrals and coordinating the provision of multi-agency support where necessary, and proactively advocate ensuring barriers to accessing support and protection are minimized.
• Proactively assess the needs and safety of any children that women using the service may have, ensure that any risks/needs identified are addressed directly with the woman, and take appropriate action to safeguard them.
• Proactively assess the needs and safety of women at risk, giving due regard to Adult at Risk policies and procedures.
• Participate in multi-agency conferences in respect of children and adults at risk as required, providing reports and undertaking actions as necessary.
• Work with the Managers and Data Insights Analyst to ensure all monitoring and evaluation for the project is accurate and fully maintained, and keep managers informed of any issues and successes.
• Ensure that agreed case recording and monitoring systems are kept up to date and secure, and write internal and external reports where required, including for safeguarding conferences, team meetings, managers, and others.
• Participate in multi-agency working and focus groups when requested to do so and follow through on agreed appropriate actions that arise from these.
• Work effectively as a member of the Domestic Abuse team and in close collaboration with partners and staff, including domestic abuse and criminal justice teams.
• Work in partnership with housing staff and provide institutional advocacy to maximize positive outcomes and use the appropriate reporting mechanisms to highlight persistent or recurring issues that arise.
• Be responsible for your own personal learning development and keep up to date on research, relevant legislation, policy and practice, and other literature relevant to the role.
• Participate in supervision, training and meetings as required and assist in the development of services in line with agreed development plans.

Essential Requirements:

• A thorough understanding of violence against women and girls with a particular focus on the dynamics of domestic violence (physical, emotional, and sexual violence, so-called honour-based violence, forced marriage, stalking, and harassment) and its impact on women, children, families, and communities.
• Experience of risk and needs assessment, safety and support planning, particularly with clients with complex/multiple needs.
• An excellent understanding of the criminal justice system and relevant legislation with particular regard to legal and civil options, housing, benefits, matrimonial, and children.
• Thorough knowledge of safeguarding practice, procedures, and legislation.
• Specific knowledge and understanding of the housing system and options available.
• Strong experience of supporting women who have experienced domestic abuse, forced marriage or honour-based violence.
• Enhanced Adult and Child DBS on the update service or dated within the last 12 months.