15 Independent domestic violence advocate jobs in Watford, Hertfordshire

About the role:

Housing First changes what is possible for people who have been shut out, moved on and let down for too long.

Single Homeless Project's (SHP’s) Camden Housing First service is expanding, and we’re looking for a passionate and skilled worker to join an innovative team supporting people with long histories of rough sleeping, multiple exclusion and co-occurring needs. This includes a new and important focus on supporting couples who have been rough sleeping and will be accommodated separately in their own self-contained flats, while receiving intensive, relational and trauma-informed support.

Based from King’s Cross, you’ll work across the community and in people’s homes, carrying a small caseload so you can offer flexible, persistent and person-centred support that is shaped around each person’s strengths, safety, needs and goals. You’ll build trust with people who may have had difficult experiences of services, working at their pace while keeping a strong focus on housing sustainment, wellbeing, risk, choice and recovery.

You won’t be doing this work alone. You’ll be part of a multidisciplinary team and will work closely with statutory services, housing partners and specialist colleagues including health, psychology, Solace, occupational therapy and perpetrator support. With safety at the heart of the work, you’ll play a key role in supporting people where relationships, trauma, exploitation, abuse or external risk may be part of their lives. At SHP, you’ll also have access to learning, reflective practice and development opportunities that help you keep growing your skills while doing meaningful, complex and life-changing work.

About you:

• You have experience supporting people facing multiple disadvantage, including homelessness, trauma, mental ill health, substance use, contact with the criminal justice system or long-term exclusion from services.
• You know how to build trust with people who may be wary of services, using patience, consistency and creativity to keep people engaged without forcing change before they are ready.
• You understand the links between severe and multiple disadvantage, VAWG, coercion, abuse, exploitation and safety, and you can respond in a way that is trauma-informed, boundaried and safeguarding-focused.
• You are a confident advocate and communicator, able to work with partners, negotiate well, challenge when needed and keep the person’s voice at the centre.
• You are organised and self-sufficient in your day-to-day work, with the written, IT and recording skills needed to manage a caseload, update systems clearly and keep support plans moving.

About us:

We’re London’s leading homelessness charity – and we get things done.

In a city where hundreds are forced into homelessness every day, our work has never been more needed or more challenging. And we’re not shying away. We’re rolling up our sleeves to make change and helping over 10,000 Londoners every year. We prevent homelessness, provide safe places to live and give people the opportunity to rebuild their lives and transform their futures. And we never give up. 

We’re here for Londoners wherever they are on their journey. We start with trust, building relationships that help people feel safe, supported, and ready to move forward. Every day, we put people first in everything we do, challenging injustice and barriers that keep people from the safety, stability and opportunity they deserve. We stand alongside people as they rebuild and shape a future that feels their own. 

Joining Single Homeless Project means joining a team that’s bold, compassionate and determined to do better for the people we support and for each other. You’ll work alongside colleagues with lived experience, in a space that’s trans-inclusive, disability-friendly, and actively striving to be anti-oppressive and equitable. 

We’re not perfect, but we’re real. We listen. We learn. And we push forward, together. Because this isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to lead with empathy, spark change, and help build a London where no one is left behind.

Important info:

Closing Date: Monday 28th September at Midnight

Interview Date: Wednesday 7th October online via Microsoft Teams

Please note shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a short psychometric test before being confirmed for interview. 

This post will require an Enhanced DBS check to be processed (by SHP) for the successful applicant. 

Please note applications are reviewed for AI use in application questions. Applications with insufficient/without current right to work or requiring sponsorship will not be accepted or progressed.

Are you looking for a rewarding role within an intersectional feminist organisation? We have an incredible opportunity for an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) to join Solace Women’s Aid.

Solace exists to end the harm done through gender-based violence. We work to prevent violence and abuse and provide services to meet the individual needs of survivors, particularly women and children.

Our core values reflect our history and were developed in consultation with staff and service users. Feminism and intersectionality are key to our work, and we are committed to the principles of being survivor-led, trauma-informed, empowering, diverse, anti-racist and anti-discriminatory.

About the Service

Solace Women’s Aid provides a wide range of services to victim/survivors of domestic and sexual abuse in Islington including a large advocacy and support service and specialist projects co-located in a number of services.

About the Role

We are seeking an IDVA to provide high-quality case work support, advocacy and information services to survivors of domestic abuse who are experiencing significant harm from interpersonal harm and relationship abuse. You will carry out DASH Risk Assessments in a timely manner and refer high-risk cases to MARAC where appropriate.

Our IDVA’s work alongside statutory partners to promote a coordinated, multi-agency response for survivors and their families, strengthen professional relationships, and enhance collaboration with IDVA colleagues and wider support services.

About You

You will be highly organised, self-motivated applicants and passionate about ending VAWG and hold a solid understanding of how domestic or sexual violence against a parent can affect a child in the home. You will have a “can-do‟ approach, experience of working with families and demonstrable commitment to Solace’s feminist approach to supporting survivors and their children to be safer.

The postholder will have an in-depth knowledge of domestic abuse and its impact on survivors and children, experience of providing emotional and practical support to victims of VAWG and a strong understanding of statutory systems including housing and social care.

A relevant qualification in VAWG is desirable.

Additional Information

This is a hybrid role, with a minimum requirement to work one day per week at our Head Office in Camden and one day per week at Islington Council offices. This arrangement may vary depending on the needs of the service and/or service users.

The salary for this post is £29,385 - £30,671 (Unqualified) or £30,671 - £32,623 (Qualified).

What we can offer you

We provide a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees, including:

• Flexible working
• Focus on learning and development (internal career progression and training)
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Employer pension contribution
• Family-friendly leave and enhanced maternity pay
• Access to Inclusion Networks
• Daily clinical debriefing
• Two paid wellbeing days
• Employee Assistance Programme providing free 24/7 support and advice
• Employee Benefits Platform offering staff discounts, benefits, and savings
• Flow & Restore yoga classes
• Meditation sessions
• Cycle to Work Scheme

How to apply

Please submit your CV and Supporting Statement through the recruitment portal. When applying for this role, kindly highlight in your Supporting Statement how your values, knowledge, transferable skills, and experience align with each point within the following sections of the Job Profile Document:

• Values, Behaviours & Competencies
• Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Solace Women's Aid values diversity, promotes equity, and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, abilities, perspectives, and lived experiences.

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. Our Inclusion Networks support staff with protected characteristics and offer inclusive spaces to connect.

We anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as needed and support employees who acquire a disability or long-term health condition, enabling them to stay in work.

This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1. Section 7(2)(e) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 applies. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

As part of safer recruitment practices, we carry out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and right to work in the UK checks.

No agencies

To provide high-quality and comprehensive advice, information, practical and advocacy support relating to domestic and other forms of gender-based violence perpetrated against Black and minoritised women and children. To provide efficient and high-quality administrative support in managing the Central Pot, a key fund that supports women with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) and other exceptional needs. This includes overseeing the Central Pot inbox, assessing and approving applications, maintaining financial and case management records, and contributing to monitoring and reporting requirements.

To assist with educational, developmental, policy and campaigning work arising from advice and casework.

To promote the aims and objectives of SBS as a specialist organisation for Black and minoritised women and children.

Why work with Southall Black Sisters?

Southall Black Sisters is committed to providing a supportive working environment, where team members feel valued, empowered and safe. To that end, we provide an excellent package of employee benefits including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement 
• Hybrid working 
• Enhanced pension contribution
• Enhanced sick pay
• Subsidised public transport season ticket
• A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, including access to confidential support from MBACP therapists 
• Clinical supervision with an MBACP therapist to explore issues arising from casework
• A focus on continued learning and development through accredited training delivered by experts in their field
• Organisation-wide away days
• Career development pathways and support
• The opportunity to learn and grow within an organisation renowned for inspiring political activism and campaigning successes
• Employer eye care scheme

To Apply

Submit a completed application form along with the optional equal opportunities monitoring form by the application deadline. Please do not send us your CV as this will not be considered.

Please note, incomplete applications will not be considered.

We have an exciting opportunity for an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) to join the team in London, working 37.5 hours a week. This role involves both face to face and virtual support in a hybrid model of working, you will work from home, Victim Support Office at Singer Street, London.

Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it?

Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care?

If yes, then we'd love to hear from you…

What we offer

At Victim Support, we are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent. Our competitive rewards and benefits package includes:

• Flexible Working Options: Including hybrid working.
• Generous Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
• Birthday Leave: An extra day off for your birthday.
• Pension Plan: 5% employer contribution.
• Enhanced Allowances: Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
• Exclusive Discounts: High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
• Financial Wellbeing: Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary-deducted finance.
• Wellbeing Support: Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
• Inclusive Networks: Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
• Sustainable Travel: Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
• Career Development: Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career progression.
• Clinical supervision: and group reflective practice.

About the Role

As an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate you will provide a high quality and victim/survivor focused service to children and young people who have been subjected to domestic violence and abuse. You will:

• help them to deal with the aftermath and consequences of violence and abuse.
• develop, deliver, and monitor safety and support plans for those affected by crime, who accept ongoing support.
• support those affected by crime in understanding and asserting their rights and entitlements
• help to facilitate access additional services, establish healthy coping mechanisms and provide practical support and information.

About Us

Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.

How to apply

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date. If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.

We have an exciting opportunity for 2 Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVA) to join the team in London, working 37.5 hours a week to provide maternity cover.This role involves both face to face and virtual support in a hybrid model of working, you will work from home and Victim Support Office at Victim Support, 3rd Floor, 5-7 Singer Street, London, Greater London, EC2A 4BQ.

Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it?

Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care?

If yes, then we'd love to hear from you…

What we offer:

At Victim Support, we are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent. Our competitive rewards and benefits package includes:

• Flexible Working Options: Including hybrid working.
• Generous Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
• Birthday Leave: An extra day off for your birthday.
• Pension Plan: 5% employer contribution.
• Enhanced Allowances: Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
• Exclusive Discounts: High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
• Financial Wellbeing: Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary-deducted finance.
• Wellbeing Support: Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
• Inclusive Networks: Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
• Sustainable Travel: Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
• Career Development: Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career progression.

About the role:

As an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate you will:

• Implement effective ways of working with victims and those supporting them to increase safety and reduce harm.
• Provide a high-quality, front-line service to victims of domestic abuse, delivering a premium service prioritised according to risk, primarily focusing on victim/survivors aged 16+
• Work within a multi-agency framework consisting of the MARAC and local partnership responses to domestic abuse to keep safety central to all services for victims of domestic abuse.

You will need:

• knowledge of help-seeking barriers and support needs of victims of domestic abuse (in heterosexual or same-sex relationships).
• a good understanding of domestic abuse including the impact of domestic abuse on victims and their children.
• to understand the principles of risk assessment, safety planning and risk management for victims of domestic abuse and their children
• an understanding safeguarding issues, and the legal responsibilities surrounding these issues.
• experience of direct service delivery to victims of domestic abuse or other vulnerable people.
• strong communication, negotiation and advocacy skills, both written and verbal when interacting with a range of agencies and individuals. Understand and be committed to equal opportunities and diversity issues in policy and practice.
• strong crisis management skills and the ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

About Us:

Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.

How to apply:

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date. If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.
 

Are you looking for a rewarding role within an intersectional feminist organisation? We have an incredible opportunity for an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) to join Solace Women’s Aid.

Solace exists to end the harm done through gender-based violence. We work to prevent violence and abuse and provide services to meet the individual needs of survivors, particularly women and children.

Our core values reflect our history and were developed in consultation with staff and service users. Feminism and intersectionality are key to our work, and we are committed to the principles of being survivor-led, trauma-informed, empowering, diverse, anti-racist and anti-discriminatory.

About the Service:

Our Redbridge Solace Advocacy Support Service (SASS) teams provide advocacy and support to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse living across London.  

About the role:

IDVA’s are responsible for risk and needs assessing and safety planning with survivors of domestic violence. They will hold a caseload of service users, requiring crisis short-term intervention, providing advice, advocacy, and onward referral where appropriate.

About You:

You are highly organised, self-motivated and have a passion for ending gender-based violence. Your will have a “can-do‟ approach as well as a demonstrable commitment to Solace’s feminist stance in supporting women and their children to be safer. Successful applicants will have in-depth knowledge of domestic abuse and its impact on service users and their children, experience of supporting survivor’s domestic and/or sexual abuse including strong casework management skills.

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to work a minimum of two days per week from the office or other designated workspaces. Flexibility is essential, as travel may be required at short notice to ensure service user needs are met and the service continues to operate effectively. Accordingly, the postholder must be able to travel between Monday and Friday.

The salary for this post is £29,385 - £30,671 (Unqualified) or £30,671 - £33,438 (Qualified), with an expectation that the successful candidate starts at the entry point of the scale.

This is a fixed term contract ending October 2027.

What we can offer you

We provide a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees, including:

· Flexible working

· Focus on learning and development (internal career progression and training)

· Generous holiday entitlement

· Employer pension contribution

· Family-friendly leave and enhanced maternity pay

· Access to Inclusion Networks

· Daily clinical debriefing

· Two paid wellbeing days

· Employee Assistance Programme providing free 24/7 support and advice

· Employee Benefits Platform offering staff discounts, benefits, and savings

· Flow & Restore yoga classes

· Meditation sessions

· Cycle to Work Scheme

How to apply

Please submit your CV and Supporting Statement through the recruitment portal. When applying for this role, kindly highlight in your Supporting Statement how your values, knowledge, transferable skills, and experience align with each point within the following sections of the Job Profile Document:

Values, Behaviours & Competencies

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Solace Women's Aid values diversity, promotes equity, and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, abilities, perspectives, and lived experiences.

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. Our Inclusion Networks support staff with protected characteristics and offer inclusive spaces to connect.

We anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as needed and support employees who acquire a disability or long-term health condition, enabling them to stay in work. 

This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1. Section 7(2)(e) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 applies. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

As part of safer recruitment practices, we carry out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and right to work in the UK checks.

No agencies

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 career choice for you!

We are looking for a Peripatetic IDVA to join our team in London. In this role you will move between teams supporting different domestic abuse services dependent on need. This is a great opportunity to develop varied experience within a supportive and collaborative team environment.

Job Title: Peripatetic IDVA

Salary: £28,000 - £35,000 per annum. The salary offered will be dependant on your level of experience and whether you hold an IDVA qualification

Hours: 35 hours (1-2 days per week working from home depending on placement)

Location: Various locations across London; including some time spent in Hammersmith

Contract Type: Permanent

This post is open to female applicants only as this is deemed 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. In the future, this role may be subject to Police Vetting but this check will not delay your start in the role.

Job Summary

Advance delivers nationally accredited, high quality domestic abuse services across London. Advance's domestic abuse services are community based and include local authority commissioned advocacy services, co-located projects in a range of settings such as housing and children’s social care, and specialist projects for victim/survivors with different intersecting needs including children and young people.

As a Peripatetic Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA), you will provide front line support across Advance’s domestic abuse services, covering vacancies across teams to ensure service delivery remains effective and consistent. You will cover a range of roles all involving advocacy and support of people experiencing domestic abuse; some roles may also involve co-locating with partner agencies, delivering training or undertaking triage and assessment work. Your office location and pattern of work will change depending on your placement however all roles offer the opportunity for some hybrid working.

This role is an excellent opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and experience in a range of settings and would suit someone who is passionate about advocating for victim/survivors of domestic abuse. You will thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy the diversity of working across a range of roles within different teams. An excellent understanding of domestic violence and its effects on women and children is essential, alongside some past experience working directly with victim/survivors of domestic abuse.

About You

To be successful as the Peripatetic IDVA you will need the below experience and skills:

Youwill 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 particular knowledge of safeguarding and legislation. 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, of supporting women with child safeguarding, needs, 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.

How to apply:

Please submit your up-to-date CV with a supporting statement. Please note that only applications made via the job advert on the Advance careers page, and those that include a cover letter will be considered.

• Closing Date for Applications: Sunday 27th September 2026*
• Interviews are taking place on a rolling basis

*Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate

What we can offer you - Employee Benefits:

• An 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 home
• Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more
• Pension scheme
• Enhanced maternity/adoption provision
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee eye-care scheme
• Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles
• Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation
• Organisation wide away days
• Thorough induction and training
• Career 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 email the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.

Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

We 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.

Safeguarding

Advance 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.

We are recruiting for a Independent Gender Violence Advocate (IGVA) to join our team in Hertfordshire; the scope on this job involves….

Job Title: IGVA

Location: Hertfordshire
Salary: £29,701.36 per annum
Contract type: Full-time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5

This is an exciting opportunity to work in the new Refuge‑led Mimram Gender‑based Abuse Support Service, which brings together a partnership of highly experienced specialist organisations to deliver integrated, survivor‑centred support to people experiencing multiple forms of gender-based abuse across Hertfordshire. The Independent Gender Violence Advocate will work closely with victims of gender-based violence from the point of crisis, to provide high-quality independent advocacy and support to survivors of gender-based violence and their children.

For us it is important that you are passionate, committed and care about the work Refuge undertakes. In this role you will need to establish the risks and needs of victims and survivors of domestic abuse and other forms of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Develop individual support and safety plans to address the risk of survivors, and provide practical, emotional support and advocacy to survivors of domestic abuse and VAWG to ensure their needs are met i.e. housing issues, civil remedies, wellbeing. Therefore, we are looking for a candidate who has experience working with vulnerable adult or young people, understands risk and safety planning, and copes well with pressure. 

Roles within the Mimram Gender-based Abuse Support Service offer the opportunity to work as part of a skilled, values‑driven partnership committed to collaborative practice, survivor safety and inclusive service delivery. Staff work closely across organisations to provide high‑quality, trauma‑informed support and to continuously develop the service in response to the needs of victim/survivors and local communities in Hertfordshire.

Closing date: 9.00am on 28 September 2026

Interview date: 6 October 2026

Benefits

Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.

We have an exciting opportunity for an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor to join the DRIVE team in London, working 37.5 hours a week.

Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it?

Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care?

If yes, then we'd love to hear from you…

What we offer:

At Victim Support we believe in attracting & retaining the best people and offer a competitive rewards & benefits package including:

• Flexible Working Options: Including hybrid working.
• Generous Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
• Birthday Leave: An extra day off for your birthday
• Pension Plan: 5% employer contribution.
• Enhanced Allowances: Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
• Exclusive Discounts: High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
• Financial Wellbeing: Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary-deducted finance.
• Wellbeing Support: Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
• Inclusive Networks: Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
• Sustainable Travel: Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
• Career Development: Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career progression.

About the Role:

You may be a qualified IDVA or a Domestic Abuse Outreach Worker wanting to work alongside professionals in a multi-agency environment, although we will consider applicants from other fields providing you are able to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of both domestic and sexual violence.

This role involves both face to face and virtual support in a hybrid model of working. There is an expectation that you will do a mixture of working from home, our office in Singer Street.

As a DRIVE Independent Domestic Violence Advocate you will:

• Implement effective ways of working with victims and those supporting them to increase safety and reduce harm.
• Provide a high-quality, front-line service to victims of domestic and sexual abuse, delivering a premium service prioritised according to risk, primarily focusing on victim/survivors aged 16+
• Work within a multi-agency framework consisting of the MARAC and local partnership responses to domestic and sexual abuse to keep safety central to all services for victims of domestic and sexual abuse.
• Have excellent communication skills, a proactive approach and the confidence to be able to influence the way in which this service is delivered are key.

You will need to:

• Have a knowledge of help-seeking barriers and support needs of victims of domestic and sexual abuse (in heterosexual or same-sex relationships).
• Have a good understanding of domestic and sexual abuse including the impact of abuse on victims and their children.
• Understand the principles of risk assessment, safety planning and risk management for victims of domestic and sexual abuse and their children.
• Understand safeguarding issues, and the legal responsibilities surrounding these issues.
• Experience of direct service delivery to victims of domestic and sexual abuse or other vulnerable people.
• Have strong communication, negotiation and advocacy skills, both written and verbal when interacting with a range of agencies and individuals. Understand and be committed to equal opportunities and diversity issues in policy and practice.
• Have a strong crisis management skills and the ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

About Us:

Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.

How to apply:

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date. If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.

Terms and Conditions

Job title: Advocate South London Women’s Hubs

Reports to: Programme Manager – South London Women’s Hubs

Direct reports: N/A 

Start date: TBC – subject to successful MOJ vetting

Salary: £31,173 per annum (inclusive of £3,990 Southeast weighting) 

Working hours: Full time – 35 hours per week 

Contract: Fixed Term until 31 March 2027 (with the possibility of extension, subject to funding)

Location: Across South London 
 

Job Purpose

To deliver high-quality, trauma-informed, independent advocacy for women in communities and in prisons, which focuses on early intervention, and holistic provision as part of a ‘whole system’ multi-agency response that looks to address the root causes of women’s offending. 

The primary purpose of this role is to provide in-depth, ongoing support to a caseload of women across the South London boroughs. 
 

Key Responsibility Areas

1. Provide high-quality, trauma-responsive advocacy and emotional and practical support to women in contact with, or at risk of being in contact with the criminal justice system

2. Development and maintenance of professional relations in prison and the community 

3. Ensure clear, timely and effective communication and record keeping 

4. Proactively seek to develop your personal and professional practice, and contribute to wider organisational development

5. Contribute to building a feminist leadership culture and positive working environment for Women in Prison 

Please download recruitment pack for the full job description

Note: This post is exempt under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1, and is open to female applicants only, due to the nature of the role. Subject to an enhanced DBS check.

The Head of Youth Programmes sits in our Senior Leadership Team and holds overall operational responsibility for our frontline youth programmes across three pillars: Prevention, Intervention and Healing. The postholder leads and line manages the delivery team, and carries DSL responsibility for the organisation.

You'll lead delivery, expansion and impact evaluation across all three pillars, line manage the Education Lead, IDVA Team and Creative Projects leads, and work closely with the CEO to consolidate our delivery models. You'll hold responsibility as our Designated Safeguarding Lead, manage operational budgets, and build multi-agency partnerships across Barnet and neighbouring boroughs.

It's an opportunity to bring fresh energy and strategic leadership to a small, values-driven charity that trusts its team to do meaningful, creative work with the young people we support.

Essential criteria

• Experience as an IDVA, ISVA or in a comparable frontline advocacy role supporting young women and girls affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence or other forms of harm.
• A strong understanding of VAWG, domestic abuse and youth harm, grounded in survivor-centred and harm-prevention approaches.
• Experience of overseeing and responding to complex safeguarding through multi-agency working.
• At least Level 3 safeguarding training. Designated Safeguarding Lead training is desirable, or a willingness to complete this within an agreed timeframe.

We have highlighted the essentials above. The rest of the person specification, in the attached recruitment pack, is a guide to what we are looking for in a strong candidate, rather than a checklist. Your experience may not meet all of it, but if you have the essential experience we would encourage you to apply. We are just as interested in transferable experience as in a conventional career path.

Benefits

• Regular clinical supervision with an external practitioner 
• Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme, including a 24/7 helpline, counselling and a wellbeing app
• Free on-site parking in Colindale and funded travel between delivery sites

Details

£38,000 to £40,000 pro rata. 28 hours per week (four day working week). Permanent. Barnet, London / Hybrid.

Closing date: Thursday 15th October 2026. Interviews: w/c Monday 26th October 2026.

About the role

This role sits within Women and Girls Network’s CJS Team and provides rapid, short-term advocacy and support to survivors, in London, who have experienced sexual violence and are engaging with, or considering engaging with, the criminal justice system.

You will deliver brief, trauma-informed and survivor-centred support to people who are unable to access an ISVA locally or who are waiting for support through the London Survivors Gateway. Working across the Gateway partnership - including Rape Crisis Centres, Galop, Survivors UK, Respond, and the Havens - you will help ensure survivors receive timely, independent information and advocacy at a critical point.

As this is a pilot role, you will also play a key part in shaping and developing this specialist brief intervention ISVA provision in response to survivor need.

This role is offered on a two-year fixed-term contract. 

What you will be doing

As the Brief Intervention Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA), you will:

• Provide rapid, short-term independent advocacy, information and support to survivors navigating or considering the criminal justice system, enabling informed choice and access to rights.
• Deliver empowering, trauma-informed and intersectional support, including risk and needs assessments, safety planning and tailored action planning.
• Offer clear, impartial information about reporting options, the criminal justice process, survivors’ rights under the Victims’ Code, and available legal and compensation routes.
• Advocate on survivors’ behalf with police and criminal justice agencies, and support attendance at police stations or court where required.
• Work within strict safeguarding, confidentiality and professional boundaries, ensuring survivor safety and wellbeing remain central at all times.
• Develop and pilot a brief intervention ISVA model, contributing to service design, case management systems and best practice alongside the CJS Team Manager and Gateway partners.
• Build strong working relationships across the London Survivors Gateway partnership to strengthen pathways and improve access to timely support.
• Maintain accurate case records, monitoring and evaluation data, and engage in supervision, reflective practice and continuous professional development.
• Model WGN’s feminist, trauma-informed and anti-oppressive approach, contributing to a collaborative team culture and high-quality service delivery.

Closing date and interviews

This vacancy will close at 9am on Monday 5 October 2026. Interviews are expected to take place remotely via MS Teams on Wednesday 14 October 2026, however, please note that dates may be subject to change.

We encourage early applications, as we reserve the right to close the vacancy before the advertised closing date should we receive a high volume of applications or identify a suitable candidate.

About us 

Women and Girls Network (WGN) is a pan-London organisation that supports women and girls affected by all forms of gendered-based violence. Our overall aim is to promote, preserve and restore the mental health and well-being of women and girls who have experienced, or are at risk of, gendered-based violence, whilst working towards a society free of gendered-based violence.

We do this by:

• Providing women-only holistic and seamless therapeutic services, which meet women and girls’ needs and contribute to total and sustainable recovery from the experiences of violence.
• Evidencing the impact of gendered-based violence and presenting this information in appropriate forums to affect social change in attitudes towards, and responses to, gendered-based violence.
• Developing good practice in the sector by providing training and guidance on specialist service provision and the development of culturally appropriate service delivery.

WGN is proud to be an accredited Living Wage Employer and a member of The London VAWG Consortium, Halo Code, and Helplines Partnership.

Join us and be part of a team that values your well-being, growth, and contribution.

Commitment to Equity and Inclusion

We are deeply committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity, resilience and strength of the women and girls we serve. We strongly encourage applications from Black and Global Majority women and applicants with Lived Experience, including those who may not meet every criterion.

WGN is an equal opportunities employer.

Exemption

This post is exempt under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1, and is open to female applicants only, due to the nature of the role.

Do you want to support people with mental health issues in a moment of crisis?

Are you calm, non-judgemental and able to work effectively with people experiencing distress?

If you can embody our values of Hope, Courage, Togetherness, and Responsiveness, and want to help others build resilience and manage their wellbeing, we’d love to hear from you.

Mental Health and Homelessness Outreach Worker (Single Homeless Support Pathway) x2
Reference: 368
Salary: £26,000 – £27,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience inclusive of Outer London Weighting (OLW)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm)
Contract: Fixed term 1 Year
Working base(s):
1 person to be based in St Albans Wellbeing Centre
1 person to be based in Watford Wellbeing Centre

About the Service

The Complex Needs Housing Service works as a multi-disciplinary team with housing teams and Drug and Alcohol Services across District and Borough councils. These teams will be working with individuals who are presenting as homeless and have a number of Complex Needs. The service has been running since 2022 with a dual-district model, however, is now expanding to offer a single district outreach service.

We have roles available in the service in the following areas:

• St. Albans – supporting individuals who are homeless, in temporary accommodation or hostels in the district with their mental health
• South & West Hertfordshire – supporting women who have fled domestic abuse and currently residing in refuge/safe accommodation in the area with their mental health N.B. Only female applicants will be considered for this role.

The objectives of the Single Homeless Support Pathway are:

• To improve the mental wellbeing of people experiencing mental ill health.
• To increase early access to help for people experiencing mental ill health in, by providing a clear and effective pathway to services provided by Herts Mind Network and other third sector and statutory providers.
• To contribute to an improvement in individual mental wellbeing.
• To remain a source of independent support for all clients.
• To reduce the use of police, ASB, tenancy enforcement, housing needs and environmental health services by clients whose primary need is related to mental ill health.
• To reduce the use of crisis services by people experiencing mental ill health without positive outcomes for the individual.
• To provide an assertive outreach approach for clients who are in crisis and/ or those that may have complex or multiple needs.
• To work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team consisting of District and Borough council’s housing teams, drug and alcohol services and other professionals.

About the Role

The purpose of the Hertfordshire Mind Network Community Outreach Worker role is to:

• To provide advice, information, onward referral and holistic support to clients who are experiencing mental ill health or need support with their mental wellbeing. These will be clients who are presenting to District and Borough councils as homeless and need intervention and support with their mental health and housing.
• To ensure that the safety and wellbeing of the client is monitored and reviewed regularly.
• To remain a source of independent support for all clients.
• Embed a person-centred recovery orientated and trauma informed approach in all aspects of the roles.

We offer:

• Annual leave entitlement of 25 days per year pro rata, rising in increments to a max. of 29 days after 5 years employment (plus 8 days Bank Holidays)
• An additional day of leave each year for your birthday following completion of probation period.
• Ongoing training relevant to your role.
• An Employee Assistance Programme.
• Eligibility for blue light card.
• Health cover (after 6 months employment) – compensation payment for Optical, Dental, Chiropody and Therapy Treatments.

Being able to drive and having access to your own vehicle (or equivalent) is essential for this role.

Closing date for receipt of applications is Monday 28th September at 5pm.
Interviews will be held on a rolling basis.
Please note we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.
N.B. Please quote reference number 368 when completing your application for this role.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

In addition, during the various stages of recruitment, specific measures can be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities or special needs.

Hertfordshire Mind Network is committed to the Disability Confident and Mindful Employer charters. We actively recruit staff who have a lived experience of mental ill health. Our inclusive approach recognises the unique skills, knowledge, and perspectives that lived experience brings to our team.

No agencies please.