Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the fit for you!We are looking for a Core IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advocate)Location: Hammersmith with some work across different London locationsContract: PermanentSalary: £27,000 - £32,000Hours p/w 35 hours per week, standard hours of 10am-6pm with shift work on a Thursday every 5-7 weeks. This will sometimes be the early shift (8am-4pm) and sometimes be the late shift (1pm-9pm)This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.Please note: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check. This role is also subject to Police Vetting.About usAdvance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community.We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies.Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability.About the role:The 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. They will advise women on criminal justice and civil remedies and related matters, support women to attend court where necessary, and coordinate the provision of multi-agency support. The post holder will hold a caseload of survivors and will also be required to work as part of Advance’s duty team on a rota basis which will involve completing intake assessments and providing crisis intervention support.The post holder will have an excellent understanding of domestic abuse and its effects on women and children, and of best practice within the domestic abuse sector. As an experienced domestic violence advocate who has worked with complex and multiple needs, the post holder will be skilled in risk management and safety planning, remaining calm in a crisis and in handling sensitive information on a daily basis. Experience of direct work with female survivors of domestic violence and of working within safeguarding procedures is essential for this post, as is the need to adopt and promote a strong partnership approach to service provision.About You:You will have an excellent understanding of domestic violence and its effects on women and children and of best practice within the domestic abuse in various areas of need, 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 and safety and support planning, particularly with clients with complex/multiple needs.Experience of partnership working and of maintaining excellent working relationships with a range of stakeholders.To be successful as the Core IDVA you will need the below experience and skills:You will establish positive, proactive, and innovative working relationships with housing services and partner agencies. Provide high-quality crisis intervention, information, advocacy, and proactive support to women referred to the service, in respect to risk management and safety planning, criminal and civil remedies, housing, health, welfare rights, and children’s legislation.Your abilities extends to assessing the needs and risks of survivors, carry out short and longer-term risk management, safety planning and support and identify and refer to services appropriate to their needs. Advising women of their rights and options for seeking help and support from other agencies and proactively advocate to ensure barriers to accessing support and protection are reduced.How to apply:Please submit your up to date CV along with a covering letter via our careers site.Closing Date for Applications: 16th January 2026 @ 23:59Interviews will be taking place the week of the 26th January 2026*Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate. What we can offer you - Employee Benefits:A 35-hour working weekAn exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that's nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!)Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving homePerkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and morePension schemeEnhanced maternity/adoption provisionAccess to our Employee Assistance ProgrammeEmployee eye-care schemeClinical supervision for front line staff and first line management rolesRefer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probationOrganisation wide away daysThorough induction and trainingCareer development pathways **************************************************************Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please contact the Talent Acquisition Team will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.Diversity, Inclusion and Equal OpportunitiesWe are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.SafeguardingAdvance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.
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