Independent Domestic Violence Advocate- Older People

Independent Domestic Violence Advocate- Older People

We are looking for a resilient and dedicated person to join our new specialist high risk domestic abuse service as an Older Person's Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (OPVA). This role is full time working on a hybrid basis with two days per week in our Boscombe office. Due to the nature of the role, the successful applicant would be expected to travel regularly across the Dorset county.

Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it? Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care? If yes, then we'd love to hear from you.

Area of Business Operations

Location or Function Dorset

Full time/Part time Full time

Hours per week 37.5

Work schedule Working shifts Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm on a rota basis with occasional Saturday working to be agreed in advance with a day of in lieu.

Basic Salary Qualified - £29,583.00 per annum Unqualified - £27,752.00 per annum

Contract type Permanent

DBS required? Enhanced

Police vetting required? Yes

Closing Date 16/04/2026

Ref No 6635

Documents

• IDVA Older People - Boscombe.pdf (PDF, 221.68kb)

What we offer

• Flexible Working Options: Including hybrid working.
• Generous Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
• Birthday Leave: An extra day off for your birthday.
• Welcome Bonus: £500 on successful completion of probation period.
• Pension Plan: 5% employer contribution.
• Enhanced Allowances: Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
• Exclusive Discounts: High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
• Financial Wellbeing: Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary-deducted finance.
• Wellbeing Support: Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
• Inclusive Networks: Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
• Sustainable Travel: Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
• Career Development: Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career progression.

About the Role

As an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate you will provide high quality support to older people who have been subjected to domestic violence and abuse. You will deliver and provide support in five key areas to support victims to:

• Feel safer
• Feel informed about their rights and the criminal justice system
• Feel listened to and heard
• Be able to implement healthy coping mechanisms
• Be connected with services who are available to help them

Key Responsibilities

• Provide appropriate non-therapeutic support to older people who have been subjected to domestic abuse via their preferred contact method.
• Carry out needs and risk assessments to develop tailored individual safety and support plans to address the specific needs of the victim.
• Use a bespoke case management system to maintain accurate and confidential record keeping and contribute to the collection of outcomes.
• Liaise with the police, social services, CPS, and other agencies on the client's behalf, with the client's consent maintaining confidentiality.
• Provide information to victims to enable them to make informed choices about their future options. Ensuring that the voices, needs, rights and legal entitlements of older people are heard and understood by all individuals and organisations.

About You

Ideally, you will hold an approved and accredited OPVA qualification (or you must be willing to work towards one).

You will need:

• A strong understanding of domestic abuse and violence and the impact this has specifically on older people.
• Experience of working with older people including completing risk assessments and safety planning.
• Experience of managing a caseload and keeping clear case management records.
• Experience of adapting communication styles to be able to effectively communicate with older people.
• An understanding of trauma informed practice and how to implement this within your work.
• A thorough understanding of the criminal justice system and the Victim's Code.
• An understanding of confidentiality, safeguarding and other legal requirements.
• Excellent IT skills including experience with working within bespoke case management systems and using Microsoft Office Packages.
• Organised and methodical approach to work with the ability to plan, prioritise and organise workload.

This role involves regular travel and due to the location, a driving license and access to a vehicle is considered an essential requirement. If you are unable to drive because of a disability, please indicate this in your application in your personal statement so we can explore the feasibility of alternative arrangements.

About Us

Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.

How to apply

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date. If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.