Family Court Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA)

Key responsibilities:

An exciting opportunity has arisen for the role of a Family Court IDVA. The Family Court IDVA will provide proactive support to the non abusive person to access:

• Civil Protection Orders
• Support with child arrangement orders
• Support to attend court within Local Authority cases.
• Support with Separation and Financial dispute hearings.
• Provide emotional and practical support to clients experiencing Domestic Abuse and going through family courts proceedings.
• Carry out and complete risk assessments and safety panning both inside the proceeding and longer term.
• Work closely with other IDVA’s and DASA’s in the organisation to ensure that appropriate referrals are accepted into the service.
• Work in collaboration with partners to develop a better understanding of Domestic Abuse amongst professionals working within the legal system and to ensure that coercive control in proceedings is raised and limited.
• Predominantly work out of Truro Crown Court alongside other agencies.
• Advocate and be a voice for the victim.
• Support with applications, statements, and legal documents
• Work in a way that empowers the victims of domestic abuse, helping them to recognise and understand the dynamics of domestic violence and abuse.
• Ensure that all records are up-to-date and accurate.

Essential requirements:

• Driving licence and access to a car
• Experience supporting victims of Domestic Abuse or working with vulnerable people
• Hold a SafeLives IDVA training certificate, or a relevant degree, or demonstrable equivalent experience, or vocational qualification

Added benefits:

• A comprehensive induction and training programme
• A wellbeing day per financial year (1st April to 31st March)
• Access to external supervision to discuss personal or emotional responses to traumatic cases, to ensure emotional and psychological wellbeing.
• Health and wellbeing resources including our staff Wellbeing Group, Staff Consultation Committee and active participation in our employee engagement platform.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme which includes a 24/7 telephone helpline offering medical, emotional and financial support.
• Working for an organisation committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We encourage applications from all sections of the community, and all backgrounds regardless of age, race, faith, disability, neurodiversities, genders, gender expression or sexuality. First Light are a Disability Confident Committed Employer and have an LGBTQIA+ Staff Network.
• Annual pay review and employer contribution pension scheme

Salary: £24,956 rising to £25,350 after successful completion of probation, and increasing to £26,474 on successful accreditation from completion of IDVA training

Hours: 37.5 per week, Monday to Friday 9-5

Holiday: 25 days (pro rata) rising incrementally to 30 days (pro rata) after five years, plus all bank holidays.

Base: Pool Innovation Centre, Pool, Cornwall and at court in Truro

Contract: Fixed term until 30th March 2025