Vacancy Detail
First Contact Independent Gender Violence Advocate
Role: First Contact (Duty)Independent Gender Violence Advocate (IGVA)
Based: Southwark
Rate: £20 umb
Start Date: ASAP
Duration: Temporary ongoing
Hours: Full-time 35 hours per week Monday – Friday 9-5 pm or 10am – 6pm Work from home
Our client is recruiting for a First Contact Independent Gender Violence Advocate (IGVA) who will be working closely with survivors of domestic, and other gender-based abuse to provide high quality independent support to survivors all risk levels and their children.
Synopsis of duties:
- First point of contact for survivors who have been referred to the Southwark Domestic Abuse Service
- Providing practical and emotional support to women and to advocate for survivors to ensure their needs are met i.e. housing issues, civil remedies, wellbeing etc.
- Establishing the risks to and the needs of survivors of domestic abuse and other forms of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) including sexual violence, stalking, trafficking, modern slavery, harmful practices (So called ‘honour’ based violence) including forced marriage, female genital mutilation and sexual exploitation including involvement in prostitution and child sexual exploitation, identifying and prioritising those at the highest risk.
- Developing individual support and safety plans to address the risk of harm to survivors of domestic abuse and other forms of VAWG (violence against women and girls) and their children.
- Working in partnership with other agencies 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.
- Ensuring that any issues in relation to safeguarding children or vulnerable adults are brought to the immediate attention of a manager.
- Recognising, respecting, and addressing the needs of service-users who face barriers when seeking help to access the advocacy service, including those from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, LGBTQI+ communities, disabled people and other hard to reach groups.
- 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.
- Reporting any problems/difficulties/complaints to the line manager and participate in follow up investigations as required.
- Providing statistical monitoring or reports 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.
- Maintaining confidentiality and to ensure that professional boundaries are observed when working with clients, staff, and external bodies and to work within Code of Conduct.
- Promoting and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of self and others in line with our Safeguarding Adult and Children Policies, Health & Safety Policy, together with any other requirements aimed at keeping people safe from harm in their interaction with Refuge.
- Ensuring that the confidentiality and security of information is maintained in accordance with our Confidentiality, Data Protection, IT and Security policies
Essential Requirements:
- Extensive experience working with women and children who have been/are victims of domestic abuse
- Worked with vulnerable adults and children, including those with complex needs.
- Keeping written/electronic records and evaluations.
- DBS dated within the last 12 months or on the update service
Supporting Futures Consulting acts as both an employer and an agency.
Location: London | Salary: £20 per hour | Job type: Contract | Posted: 03/09/2025