This post will be based within Next Link Domestic abuse services providing outreach, and community-based support to victims of domestic abuse across South Gloucestershire.

Working across Next Link with victim’s whose perpetrators are part of the DRIVE Programme in South Gloucestershire and close partnership working with the Lighthouse, MARAC and the DRIVE Project to provide co-ordinated package of emotional and practical support, advice and advocacy to female or male survivors of domestic violence and their children. The role involves empowering survivors to increase their options, make positive choices/decisions, increase their confidence, safety and recovery.

Key duties and responsibilities of our Older People and LD Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA):

 To establish and maintain support to survivors, with a victim centred approach, focussing on safety and recovery.
 Providing support to enable survivors to safely maintain their current accommodation, access welfare benefits, legal advice alternative housing, and support services.
 To provide age specific trauma informed one to one and group interventions that enable survivors to build emotional resilience and well-being.
 To carry out risk assessments including DASH, co-produce safety plans with the service user regularly review the plans, enabling survivors to assess and manage risk to their own and their children’s safety. Amend plans as appropriate when circumstances change and attend the MARAC and refer service users when appropriate.
 Champion service user empowerment and involvement.
 To liaise effectively and collaboratively with all appropriate agencies and community groups to ensure the best access to services and meaningful community engagement for service users.

This is not an exhaustive list of your duties and outlines the general ways in which it is expected you will meet the overall requirements of this post.