Reducing the Risk of Domestic Abuse (RtR) are expanding our high‑risk domestic abuse team and are looking for either an experienced Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA), or a motivated Trainee IDVA who has the right values, transferable skills and is ready to train into the role. If you are passionate about supporting victim‑survivors of domestic abuse and want to make a real difference, we would like to hear from you.
About the role
As an IDVA (or Trainee IDVA), you will:
- Support adults experiencing domestic abuse, with a focus on those at high risk of serious harm.
- Carry out (or learn to carry out) risk assessments and develop robust safety and support plans.
- Provide trauma‑informed, practical and emotional support – e.g. around housing, finance, health, children and justice options.
- Advocate for survivors with other agencies (police, children’s services, housing, health, courts etc.) and contribute to MARAC and other safeguarding processes.
- Work as part of an established, supportive high‑risk team, with regular supervision, training and opportunities to develop.
- Trainee IDVAs will work under close supervision, with a smaller caseload and structured development plan, building up to the full IDVA role.
Person specification - who we’re looking for
You may already be an IDVA, or you may come from a related background such as: support work, housing, social care, youth work, criminal justice, mental health, substance use, or other advocacy roles.
We are looking for people who can demonstrate:
- Commitment to victim- survivors – a compassionate, non‑judgemental, person‑centred approach, and a genuine desire to improve safety and outcomes for adults and their children.
- Strong people skills – able to build trust quickly, listen well, and communicate clearly with people in crisis.
- Resilience and self‑awareness – able to work under pressure, to manage emotionally challenging work, use supervision, and look after your own wellbeing.
- Good organisation – able to manage a busy workload, keep accurate records and work to deadlines.
- Teamwork and partnership – willing to share information appropriately, work closely with colleagues, and build constructive relationships with partner agencies.
- Learning mindset – ready to undertake training (including an accredited IDVA course) and keep your practice up to date.
- Experience of working with people affected by domestic abuse, trauma or safeguarding issues is highly desirable, but we will consider strong transferrable skills.
Training and development
For candidates not yet IDVA‑qualified, we offer:
- A clear training pathway to become a fully competent IDVA (including accredited IDVA training, e.g. SafeLives).
- Regular line management, case and reflective supervision.
- Ongoing training in domestic abuse, safeguarding, MARAC, trauma‑informed practice, equality and diversity.
Essential requirements
- Full driving licence and access to a car
- Ability to work within safeguarding, confidentiality and data protection procedures.
- Good written and IT skills (case notes, emails, basic reports).
- Willingness to undergo an enhanced DBS (or equivalent) check.
- Ability to work flexibly (occasional early/late appointments, court, as required).
Context of post
Reducing the Risk of Domestic Abuse is a company and charity set up to:
- provide inclusive services that reduce the risk of domestic abuse and promote the safety, choices and welfare of those affected
- enhance awareness of the nature and prevalence of domestic violence and help to foster good practice and an integrated multi integrated approach.
- This post will be sat in the high-risk team and managed by the Service Manager with ‘buddy’ support from the Senior IDVA.
- A structured training and induction programme is in place to ensure new staff members are knowledgeable, confident and comfortable with the role.
- After 6 months of experience, the applicant will attend the Safelives IDVA training.
- Workload will be adjusted and study time will be given for attendance at training.
- Salary will be uplifted on successful completion of the course.
The trustees collectively have expertise in domestic abuse, child protection, criminal justice, voluntary sector governance, local authority community safety, training and quality assurance. While primarily a local charity the trustees anticipate that, with a focus on quality, some of the work of the charity may contribute to broader good practice development. The charity participates in a number of multi agency partnerships responsible for aspects of the county’s integrated domestic abuse strategy.
Function
The first priority of the charity is to provide an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor Service for the county. The post holder will be a member of the IDVA team and provide a pro-active service to victims of domestic violence to keep them safe and promote their wellbeing. They will use their skills to assess the risk a client is in, deliver a service appropriate to the level of risk and have a particular focus on providing an intensive service to those at high risk. The post holder will have the skills to act as lead professional, working to ensure an integrated service and co-ordinating multi agency work to keep people safe, in addition to working with victims and signposting to other services.
Responsibilities
- Work as part of the Oxfordshire IDVA team to provide pro-active service and advice to victims at high risk of harm from domestic abuse to keep them and their children safe
- Risk assess and deliver service in keeping with the result
- Undertake safety planning with clients
- Develop individual service plans to meet the specific risks clients face
- Where relevant also support victims in their role as primary carers for their children
- Manage a caseload
- Maintain and update records of all cases
- Participate in champion networks and work closely with outreach workers and any other dedicated DA services as appropriate
- Participate in MARAC framework: refer clients to, attend and participate in meetings, follow-up on actions agreed in MARAC
- Keep other relevant services informed about important changes in client’s situation
- Support clients through the criminal justice system, explaining the procedures and their role and rights within that system
- Ensure that clients are immediately informed of any CJS developments and advised on any aspect affecting their safety
- Explain housing, civil and criminal legal options to clients
- Ensure that clients access the services to which they are entitled
- Refer on and arrange meetings with other agencies/services as necessary e.g. solicitors, benefit agencies, etc.
- Note and feedback to other agencies any consistent difficulties clients are having accessing their service
- Help clients develop their own support network
- Follow procedures and protocols so that the safety of the clients is kept central to any process
- Ensure Reducing the Risk fulfils its responsibilities in relation to safeguarding children
- Understand the legal framework relating to the protection of children, and the policy and procedures of Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children’s Board – including specific guidelines applied to the voluntary sector
- Participate in supervision and support systems for the service, and in training and professional development
- Bring casework issues and regular difficulties clients are having to the attention of the manager: contribute to efforts to improve Reducing the Risk practice and procedures and/or to work through multi agency partnerships to improve multi agency practice
- Any additional responsibilities as reasonably requested by the manager or trustees
The nature of this post will require flexibility to meet work needs as they arise. This will inevitably entail some work outside normal office hours. The post holder will be expected to adopt a flexible attitude to the duties. These may have to be varied after discussion, subject to the needs of the service and in keeping with the general profile of the post. There will also sometimes be a necessity to work effectively under pressure.
Locality
The RtR Office is in Barton, Oxford where the induction and training will take place. IDVAs will also be expected to travel to meet Victim-survivors throughout West and North Oxfordshire, including the towns and surrounding areas of Carterton, Witney, Chipping Norton and Banbury, must live within reasonable travel distance of these areas.
Full drivers licence with the use of a car for work.
Ability to travel around the county.
Hours of work: Full time 37 hrs per week.
Notice: 2 calendar months, 1 month during the probationary period which is 6 months.
Accountable to: Service Manager of Reducing the Risk of Domestic Abuse, CEO and ultimately the Board of Trustees.
Please apply by sending a cover letter and CV showing specific points that meet our person specification using examples to say why you meet the criteria .
Appointment to the post will be subject to full enhanced DSB checks.
Previous applicants need not apply.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £27,000.00-£29,000.00 per year
Application question(s):
- Must live within a reasonable travelling distance of North and West Oxfordshire.
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
