Role:               Independent Gender Violence Advocate (IGVA)

Based:            Lambeth

Rate:               £18 umb

Start Date:      ASAP

Duration:        Temporary ongoing

Hours:             Full-time 37.5 hours per week Monday - Friday 9-5pm

Our client, a specialist Domestic Violence charity based is looking to recruit an  Independent Gender Violence Advocate (IGVA)  who will provide high quality independent advocacy and support to women, girls and non-binary people aged 13 and over, men and men aged 16 and over, young people of all genders from the age of 11, who have witnessed, experienced or have been impacted by domestic abuse, transgender people, and anyone who identifies as male, female, non-binary, as another gender, or is questioning their gender identity.

Synopsis of duties:

Providing practical and emotional support to people experiencing forms of domestic abuse, applying the principles of effective casework when supporting survivors of domestic abuse and their children and to advocate for survivors to ensure their needs are met. 

Establishing the risks to and the needs of survivors of domestic abuse, identifying and prioritising those at the highest risk.

Developing and delivering individual support and risk management plans to address the risk of harm to survivors of domestic abuse and their children, working directly with all key agency partners to ensure that their plans are coordinated through the MARAC

Advocating, both verbally and in writing, in a range of settings including in civil and criminal proceedings and with criminal justice professionals.

Working in partnership with other agencies and hospital safeguarding teams, 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. 

Being an ambassador for Refuge, working in partnership with other agencies to ensure an effective, coordinated community response to survivors of domestic abuse and their children. 

Ensuring that any issues in relation to safeguarding children or adults at risk are brought to the immediate attention of the Service Manager, or if unavailable another manager.

Recognising, respecting and addressing the needs of service-users who face particular barriers when seeking help to access the advocacy service, including those from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, LGBT+ communities, disabled people and other groups experiencing multiple disadvantage.

Supporting 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. 

Carrying 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.

Reporting any problems/difficulties/complaints to the line manager and participate in follow up investigations as required. 

Providing statistical monitoring, reports and case studies as required. 

Ensuring that the views and experiences of service-users and agencies are sought actively, recorded carefully, and inform the development of the service.

Essential Requirements:

Extensive experience of working with women and children who have been/are victims of domestic abuse in Refuge and/or Community based programmes.

Working with vulnerable adults and children, including those with complex needs.

Keeping written/electronic records and evaluations.

Fluent in at least one South Asian language (desirable)

DBS dated within the last 12 months or on the update service

Supporting Futures Consulting acts as both an employer and an agency