Senior Young Women’s Independent Domestic Violence Advocate

Role:                Senior Young Women’s Independent Domestic Violence Advocate & Designated Safeguard Lead

Based:            London NW9

Rate:               £30,000 to £32,000

Start Date:      ASAP

Duration:       Fixed Term Contract until November 2026 (extension subject to funding)

Hours:            35 hours per week – 10am – 6pm Hybrid – 2 days from home (subject to the needs of the young person)

 Our client, a specialist youth and survivor-led charity based in Barnet, are recruiting for a Senior Young Women’s Independent Domestic Violence Advocate & Designated Safeguard Lead to join their team

 Synopsis of duties:

• To engage up to 15 young people in specialist, targeted 1:1 IDVA support to address existing or previous experiences of violence or abuse. This includes relationship building, session coordination, advocacy within required spaces such as education, health and justice, and completing robust safety plans, risk and need assessments as required.
• It is the responsibility of each IDVA to manage and be accountable for the individual safeguarding of those they are supporting, and it is expected that each IDVA will operate within all outlined guidance and policies set when doing this.
• As Designated Safeguard Lead, you will be responsible for overseeing and making the final decisions on all escalated safeguarding concerns, including: responses to immediate or imminent harm that exceed the remit or specialisms of individual IDVAs, making recommendations and final decisions of external safeguarding referrals, i.e to MASH or MARAC, if this is required, and supporting with the establishment of Individual Risk Assessments where needed. 
• You will be required to meet weekly with each individual IDVA, for a recommended time of 30 minutes, to discuss any updates to each case, including reviewing outstanding actions, checking the status of Individual Risk Assessments and Safety Plans each IDVA is responsible for establishing, and making decisions on case closures. 
• You will be required to represent the charity as DSL in external conferences, meetings and events, such as VAWG Forums, Safeguarding Children Partnerships and Vulnerable Adolescent Risk Panels, as capacity permits. 
• You will be required to be available, whether in person or via phone, during the time of session delivery in case there is a safeguarding issue to address. This responsibility will be shared with the Deputy Safeguard Lead (DDSL) during periods of absence (annual leave, sickness etc.). 
• You will be requested to give feedback on policies, structures and processes regarding safeguarding in an advisory capacity, though will not hold responsibility for the establishment of such documentation.
• You will be the first point of contact for all referral agencies into the charity and will be responsible for processing and allocating referrals into the 1:1 programme as and when they are received. Referrals must be processed within 2 working weeks, at the very latest, of receipt.

Essential Requirements

• Qualified or at least 2 years’ experience as an IDVA or 2 years of similar relevant transferable experience such as social worker, support worker etc.
• Have an in-depth understanding of GBV, specifically relationship abuse and exploitation
• Ability to build safe and trusted relationships, centering the needs of young women
• Have an in-depth knowledge of safeguarding and child protection protocols 
• Ability to advocate, lead and manage young women’s cases with integrity; putting their safety and wellbeing first 
• Great people skills, able to support, advise and guide colleagues to ensure best practice throughout the service 
• Efficient and organised, able to independently manage a busy and diverse workload
• Strong stakeholder and partner relationship building skills, able to represent the charity with confidence and integrity 
• DBS dated within the last 12 months or on the update service

Supporting Futures Consulting acts as both an employer and an agency