Specialist Independent Domestic Violence Advisor

Specialist Independent Domestic Violence Advisor - Supporting People with care and support needs (Disabilities) experiencing domestic abuse

Public Health England in 2015 confirmed that people with disabilities are more vulnerable to domestic violence, experience domestic abuse for longer periods of time, and experience more severe and frequent abuse than non-disabled people.

People with disabilities also encounter differing dynamics of domestic abuse, which may include more severe coercion, control or abuse from carers.

Abuse can also happen when someone withholds, destroys or manipulates medical equipment, access to communication, medication, personal care, meals and transportation.

People with disabilities have also reported abuse through the form of intrusion and lack of privacy.
This is an exciting opportunity for a specialist IDVA working to engage and support people with care and support needs/disabled people experiencing domestic abuse.

Read on for further details.



Black Country Women's Aid

Let us introduce ourselves…

Black Country Women's Aid (BCWA) is an established charity working across the Black Country and wider West Midlands providing accommodation and community support services to victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse and human trafficking.

Services range from advocacy, civil remedies, support in court, individual and group support and access to a range of therapeutic interventions.

All services are client and needs-led.

This position is located within the Community Domestic Violence and Abuse Support Service
The BCWA Community Domestic Violence and Abuse Support Service supports victims of domestic violence and abuse in Sandwell, Dudley, Wolverhampton and Walsall through a range of contracted/commissioning arrangements.

The service works in partnership with other services within BCWA and key agencies to assess risk and provide tailored support plans for service users.

Our integrated approach provides effective holistic support for survivors of abuse using a trauma-informed approach.

The team:

Our Specialist Community Domestic Abuse Support Service supports male and female victims of domestic violence and abuse living in Sandwell, Dudley and Walsall through a range of contracted/ commissioning arrangements.

The service works in partnership with other services within BCWA and key agencies to assess risk and provide tailored support plans for service users.

Our integrated approach provides effective holistic support for survivors of abuse using a trauma-informed approach.

We have a team of supportive, dedicated, self-driven individuals who empower clients to make informed choices, helping them to live a life free from abuse.



Job Role

Job Title: Specialist Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA)
Position available: 1 Full-Time position (37.5 hours), based across Sandwell and Walsall
Salary: £24,310.04 (unqualified)/ £26,430.04 (qualified)
Closing date: 16 August 2023
All interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams

Is this you?

If you have an interest in working with this client group then we have a fantastic opportunity for you to work within our ever-growing and dynamic domestic abuse team.

As an IDVA (Care and Support needs/ Disability) you will be expected to provide a high-quality frontline support service to victims of domestic violence and abuse over the age of 16, with a focus on supporting those with a learning and physical disabilities.



We are looking for a qualified/unqualified IDVA (training may be provided for the right candidate) to join our dynamic team.

We are looking for someone with extensive experience of supporting victims/survivors of domestic abuse, managing a caseload and understanding the principles of safeguarding children and adults.

The post holder will have a good understanding of the dynamics of domestic abuse and how this can affect victims, particularly people who have disabilities.



The Role:
The specialist IDVA will provide targeted outreach and raise awareness of the impact of domestic abuse on clients with disabilities across Sandwell and Walsall via voluntary and statutory agencies, to increase the number of clients with disabilities accessing our Community Domestic Abuse Support Service.

They will have the knowledge and awareness of how to support this client group and the complexities of domestic abuse for those with a disability as well as assessing their level of risk, informing clients of their options as well developing a tailored safety plan.

They will manage a caseload whilst working within a multi-agency framework to advocate for clients, including responding and reporting to Multi-agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC) on behalf of clients, working closely with adult social care, occupational therapist and other agencies.

They will also support the wider Community Domestic Abuse Support Service, dealing with telephone calls, taking drop-in referrals and attending team meetings.

If you are self-driven, compassionate and hardworking with lots of ambition we would love to hear from you.



Click apply to be emailed information about how to complete your application.

Important information for all positions

Black Country Women's Aid is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults, children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.