Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic and dynamic individual to join our Trust Safeguarding Team as an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA). This is an exciting opportunity to further develop the service within the organisation to strengthen support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse. The IDVA will work directly with patients and staff across the hospital, providing trauma-informed, needs-led emotional and practical support. This includes supporting individuals experiencing current or historic domestic abuse, ensuring they are safeguarded and able to access the services they need. The IDVA will also play a key role in raising awareness across the Trust, working alongside clinical teams to provide teaching, training, and advice to enhance the recognition, care, and management of victims of domestic abuse. With a strong understanding of domestic abuse, safeguarding, and risk assessment, the IDVA will provide life-changing support, empowering victims and survivors to rebuild their lives in safety. Applications are welcome from qualified IDVAs . This is a full-time post with a fixed-term contract until March 2026. For further information please contact: Emily Hannon - Emily.hannon1@nhs.net
Main duties of the job
The IDVA will hold a caseload of patients and staff affected by domestic abuse, ensuring that every individual receives personalised, trauma-informed support tailored to their needs. This includes providing clear and accessible information to enable survivors to make informed choices about their health, wellbeing, safety, and options for justice, while always prioritising their wishes and safeguarding. The post holder will work proactively with hospital staff and partner agencies to ensure that patients experiencing, or at risk of, domestic abuse are identified at the earliest opportunity and offered timely support. Close partnership working with hospital-based IDVAs employed by Refuge, as well as other safeguarding colleagues, will be essential to ensure seamless care pathways and coordinated support. In addition to direct casework, the IDVA will play a key role in raising awareness and building confidence across the workforce. This includes delivering training, advice, and professional guidance to staff to improve the recognition, response, and management of domestic abuse within the Trust. The IDVA will champion best practice in domestic abuse support, ensuring that services are accessible and inclusive, particularly for those from underrepresented or hard-to-reach groups.
About us
With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Responsibilities and core hours 1000 characters maximum Detail the duties, responsibilities, and key relationships of the job. The job description will be added in addition to this. Please do not enter the person specification criteria here. The IDVA will provide specialist, trauma-informed support to patients and staff affected by domestic abuse, holding a caseload and delivering tailored safety planning, risk assessment and practical guidance. They will work closely with safeguarding colleagues, hospital-based IDVAs employed by Refuge, and wider partner agencies to ensure timely identification, referral and coordinated care for those at risk. The role also includes delivering training and professional advice to clinical teams, promoting best practice and improving staff confidence in recognising and responding to domestic abuse. The IDVA will champion accessible, inclusive services, with particular focus on reaching underrepresented groups. Core hours are Monday to Friday, 9am5pm, with flexibility required to meet the needs of the service. Interviews will be held the 19th September.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Responsibilities and core hours 1000 characters maximum Detail the duties, responsibilities, and key relationships of the job. The job description will be added in addition to this. Please do not enter the person specification criteria here. The IDVA will provide specialist, trauma-informed support to patients and staff affected by domestic abuse, holding a caseload and delivering tailored safety planning, risk assessment and practical guidance. They will work closely with safeguarding colleagues, hospital-based IDVAs employed by Refuge, and wider partner agencies to ensure timely identification, referral and coordinated care for those at risk. The role also includes delivering training and professional advice to clinical teams, promoting best practice and improving staff confidence in recognising and responding to domestic abuse. The IDVA will champion accessible, inclusive services, with particular focus on reaching underrepresented groups. Core hours are Monday to Friday, 9am5pm, with flexibility required to meet the needs of the service. Interviews will be held the 19th September.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
- Accredited IDVA qualification
Desirable
- Dual qualified - IDVA and ISVA qualification
- Degree level and/or equivalent qualification in a related field
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the role of the IDVA and demonstrable experience of working with Victim/Survivors of Domestic Abuse
- Knowledge of the legal framework around Domestic Abuse
- Knowledge around safeguarding frameworks for children and adults
- Knowledge around consent and confidentiality in a health care setting.
- Knowledge around dynamic risk assessment and individualised safety and support planning in complex and/or high-risk Domestic Abuse cases
- Knowledge around the impact of Domestic Abuse on Victim/Survivors and associated Children/Young People
Desirable
- Knowledge of local practical support options and services for Victim/Survivors
- Knowledge around Mental Capacity Framework and Mental Health issues
- Procedural knowledge of other services involved in the response to Domestic Abuse.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working as an IDVA in a safeguarding/multi-agency setting
- Experience of managing safeguarding concerns, minimum Level 3 Safeguarding.
- Experience of attending MARAC/MAPPA, Adult and Child Protection processes and procedures.
Desirable
- Experience of working in a health care setting.
- Experience of teaching
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
- Accredited IDVA qualification
Desirable
- Dual qualified - IDVA and ISVA qualification
- Degree level and/or equivalent qualification in a related field
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the role of the IDVA and demonstrable experience of working with Victim/Survivors of Domestic Abuse
- Knowledge of the legal framework around Domestic Abuse
- Knowledge around safeguarding frameworks for children and adults
- Knowledge around consent and confidentiality in a health care setting.
- Knowledge around dynamic risk assessment and individualised safety and support planning in complex and/or high-risk Domestic Abuse cases
- Knowledge around the impact of Domestic Abuse on Victim/Survivors and associated Children/Young People
Desirable
- Knowledge of local practical support options and services for Victim/Survivors
- Knowledge around Mental Capacity Framework and Mental Health issues
- Procedural knowledge of other services involved in the response to Domestic Abuse.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working as an IDVA in a safeguarding/multi-agency setting
- Experience of managing safeguarding concerns, minimum Level 3 Safeguarding.
- Experience of attending MARAC/MAPPA, Adult and Child Protection processes and procedures.
Desirable
- Experience of working in a health care setting.
- Experience of teaching
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
