Job overview
The Safeguarding Team is seeking to appoint a Health Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) with a recognised qualification and extensive experience in the assessment and management of domestic abuse risk.
The successful candidate will provide immediate safeguarding support, specialist safety planning, and practical advice to victims of domestic abuse, including patients, carers, visitors, and colleagues. They will work closely with statutory and voluntary sector partners, signposting individuals to appropriate services and ensuring effective multi-agency collaboration.
The role focuses on improving outcomes for victims by increasing engagement with safeguarding services, reducing repeat victimisation, and promoting safety, wellbeing, and recovery. The Health IDVA will also contribute to developing domestic abuse awareness, data collection, and safeguarding practice across the Trust and wider community.
The postholder must be skilled in managing highly sensitive and confidential information and committed to a Think Family approach, ensuring support is considered for everyone affected by domestic abuse.
This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of individuals and families affected by domestic abuse, while helping to strengthen safeguarding practice and partnership working across the Trust and wider health and social care system. ‘
Main duties of the job
- To provide leadership and training to Trust staff and key partner agencies
- To provide specialist support and complex multi-generational safety planning to victims of domestic abuse and violence (and their children) who have presented to A&E or who are accessing services elsewhere in the hospital and have disclosed DA. This must be delivered through an evidence-based risk identification checklist such as the Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour Based Violence Risk Identification, Assessment and Management Model (DASH)
- To be able to communicate on highly sensitive issues, negotiate over services, staff, clients/ deal with child protection, vulnerable adults, mental health issues, disclosure of sensitive information, explaining legislation in sensitive situations
- To have specialist knowledge across range of procedures underpinned by theory
- To have professional knowledge acquired through IDVA qualification supplemented by specialist training
- To ensure appropriate pathways for referrals
- To provide support for those at highest risk of further harm or through pro-active interventions for those at medium or standard risk which will include individual safety planning and personal support.
- To be able to assess complex facts or situations requiring analysis, interpretation, comparison of a range of options including referral to appropriate services.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the full job description and person specification attached for more details on the job role.
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Person specification
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to deal appropriately with potentially stressful and difficult situations.
- Effective role model
- Demonstrates the Trusts Values
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Effective communication and ability to respond with significant experience to Domestic Abuse concerns.
- Ability to work in partnership, network, influence, problem solve, overcome barriers and apply solution focused approaches.
- Analytical accuracy in report writing.
- Proactive approach to problem solving.
- Delivery of Education using a variety of methods.
- Ability to work well within a team and under own initiative, maintaining professional boundaries with patients and staff.
Desirable
- Experience of supervision of staff
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
- Significant experience in Domestic Abuse; its impact on victims and their children
- Knowledge of Honour-Based Violence, Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation.
- Knowledge of perpetrators abusive behaviours within relationships including family relationships, male victims, same sex relationships and older adults.
- Thorough knowledge of safeguarding practice, procedures and legislation
- Good understanding of the criminal justice system and civil options available to domestic abuse victims.
- Knowledge and understanding of national and local policies and strategies in all aspects of domestic abuse.
- Demonstrable knowledge of recent health and care guidance and legislative policy specifically in relation to domestic abuse.
- Experience of advocacy work including undertaking of risk and needs assessment, safety and support planning and management of cases where complex/multiple needs are present.
- Experience of domestic abuse policy, procedures, process in a social/health care related environment
Education & Qualification
Essential
- Degree level qualification in health or social care subject
- IDVA qualification or have extensive case management experience, for example in criminal justice work, health, social care or other relevant area.
- Evidence of continuing professional development
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Safeguard Health Independent Domestic Violence Advocate with West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust in West Suffolk Foundation Trust. It is listed as a Band 6 Estates and facilities role. The advertised salary is £39,959 - £48,117 Per annum, pro rata. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 06 Sep 2026.
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