Female Respite Rooms IDVA

We have a rewarding opportunity available for a *Female* Independent Domestic Violence Advisor to join our Respite Room safehouse team based in Bristol. You will join us on a full-time, permanent basis working 37.5 hours per week with some out-of-hours and weekend work on occasion. In return, you will receive a competitive salary of Point 15 £27,803 per annum plus benefits.

Established in 1999, Next Link is the leading provider of domestic abuse services to women and children in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. At Next Link we are committed to providing holistic, empowering and personalised support and advocacy to women and children experiencing domestic abuse. With a focus on survivors' safety and recovery; we believe the provision of flexible support tailored to survivors' needs can be transforming, helping to maximise independence and self-determination so survivors can make informed choices.

In return for joining us as our *Female Independent Domestic Violence Advisor, we will offer you the following fantastic benefits:

• Up to 30 days annual leave (depending on length of service)
• 3 extra holidays including International Women's Day
• Excellent development and training opportunities
• Employer pension contribution (minimum 5% of your gross salary)
• Mindful Employer Plus Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Long Service Awards
• Health and Wellbeing Programme
• Staff Recognition Awards

About the role:

Managed by St Mungo's and Next Link on behalf of the DLUHC (Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities), the Respite Rooms safehouse provides a specialist gender and trauma informed housing and support service for women facing multiple disadvantage fleeing or at risk of domestic and/or gender-based violence.

The service offers short stay temporary accommodation to women who are fleeing or at risk of domestic or gender-based violence or abuse.

This post will be based at the Respite Rooms safehouse providing housing and specialist support to high risk victims of domestic abuse across Bristol. The role will involve working with a complex client group, delivering specialist domestic abuse interventions and holding the specialism within the team.

Working with Next Link and in close partnership with the Police, Lighthouse, Homelessness, and Drug/Alcohol support services to provide a co-ordinated package of emotional and practical support, advice and advocacy to female survivors of domestic violence

The role involves empowering survivors to increase their options, make positive choices/decisions, increase their confidence, safety and recovery.

In this role you will:

Deliver, in conjunction with other members of the team, support to female clients with multiple support needs who have also experienced domestic or sexual abuse and VAWG.

You will be carrying out IDVA assessments and interventions, providing clients with personalised case management support to help them be connected into specialist external services, and ensuring a housing pathway so the women can be rapidly and safely rehoused.

Working with your small team, as well as liaising closely with partner agencies and the night workers, you will work a rota that will involve some evening, weekend work. This role will pay unsocial able hours payment.

You will be a fully qualified IDVA and will have experience of working with vulnerable people and an understanding of the needs of homeless women and/or women who have experienced domestic or sexual abuse or exploitation. Strong communication, influencing and reasoning skills are also key, as is a flair for solving problems. Other qualities include knowing how to network and build effective relationships with people at every level, and a keen interest to keep abreast of current DV and VAWG related issues, housing legislation, welfare benefit legislations and other matters relevant to successful support and move on of clients.

This role is only open to female applicants. Due to the specific requirements of this role, this post is exempt under the Equality Act (2010), Part 1, Schedule 9 (Genuine Occupational Requirement)

About you

You will hold an IDVA qualification and will have experience of delivering specialist domestic abuse interventions to women facing multiple disadvantage. Strong communication, influencing and reasoning skills are also key, as is a flair for solving problems. Other qualities include knowing how to network and build effective relationships with people at every level, and a keen interest to keep abreast of current DV and VAWG related issues, housing legislation, welfare benefit legislations and other matters relevant to successful support and move on of clients.

Closing date: Monday 15 July 2024

Interviews will be held on: 18 July 2024

Please apply now to join us as our Female* Independent Domestic Violence Advisor and contribute to the valuable work Missing Link and its wider services, delivering hope and support to survivors of domestic violence and abuse.

Missing Link is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk of abuse, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Missing Link is committed to Equal Opportunities. .*Due to the specific requirements of this role, this post is exempt under the Equality Act (2010), Part 1, Schedule 9 (Genuine Occupational Requirement).

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