Independent Gender Violence Advocate (IGVA)

REFUGE ,
London, Greater London
Salary: £27,177 - £29,943 per annum

Overview

Refuge is the UK’s largest provider of specialist services for victims of all forms of gender-based violence (domestic, sexual, so called ‘honour’ violence, modern slavery and human trafficking, prostitution, forced marriage, stalking and FGM). Every day we support over 6,000 women and children in our national network of services.  These include Independent Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Advocacy services (IDVAs/ISVAs and IGVAs), community outreach, specialist refuge accommodation, sanctuary services, culturally-specific services and the Freephone 24 Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline. We advise Government and lobby hard to keep violence against women and girls high on the public agenda. We run award-winning prevention and public education campaigns, manage a busy press office and website, and we are an accredited training provider. We give a voice to the voiceless. You will provide high quality independent advocacy and support to the highest risk survivors of gender based violence and their children. This will involve establishing and prioritising the risks to and the needs of survivors of gender based violence and developing and delivering individual support and risk management plans in partnership with other agencies who attend the MARAC. You will advocate both verbally and in writing in a range of settings including civil and criminal proceedings and with criminal justice professionals. With significant proven experience of providing emotional and practical support to survivors of gender based violence, you will be experienced in identifying and responding to the risks to and needs of survivors. With an ability to work in crisis or under pressure, you will have an up-to-date knowledge of criminal and civil legislation relating to gender-based violence. You will understand multi-agency partnership structures including the MARAC and have an ability to advocate on a client’s behalf in a range of settings. You will have strong written and verbal communication skills to write reports, deliver presentations and to communicate to stakeholders in a clear and effective way. This role requires an exceptional individual who wants to make a difference. Occasional evening work may be required. All candidates must demonstrate a commitment to the feminist values of empowerment and equality which underpin all of our work. Successful applicants will be expected to work within Refuge’s Values and Behaviour Framework and demonstrate these in their everyday work. Competitive salary offering annual progression within points of the salary grade, 28 days annual leave increasing to 30 days, pension scheme with People’s pension that includes a 6% Employer contribution, comprehensive EAP. Refuge is proud to be a leader in its field and an employer of choice with leading edge systems for supervision, quality management and development. We offer the first Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) accredited qualification for our profession.  Please visit Refuge’s website for further details and other opportunities. Closing Date: 8th April 2020 An enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) certificate will be required for this role. Refuge is committed to quality, equality and diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. This post however is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies. No agencies please - as a charity we work hard to keep our costs down.