Independent Domestic Violence Advisor


Company:	Victim Support
Salary:	£22,201.60 to £23,666.40 a year
Hours:	Part-time
Location:	Carlisle, CA1 3NQ
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	4 Nov 2026
Closing date:	4 Dec 2026

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Summary

We have a new and innovative opportunity to join our team in Carlisle.

We are looking for a passionate individual with experience of supporting victims of domestic abuse & a thorough understanding of the risk and barriers victims, survivors & their families are faced with.

The innovative Child Focused Court Independent Domestic Violence Adviser (CFCIDVA) will provide specialist support to adult victim-survivors involved in private family court proceedings where domestic abuse has been identified or alleged. The role sits within the Child Focused Courts model, ensuring children's experiences, safety and wellbeing remain at the centre of decision-making.

What we offer

At Victim Support, we are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent. Our competitive rewards and benefits package includes:

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.

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

The Child Focused Court IDVA will provide specialist domestic abuse advocacy and emotional support throughout family court proceedings. You will support the delivery of a victim-centred response through risk identification, quality assurance, professional challenge, specialist advice, safeguarding activity and victim engagement.

You will:

Complete risk assessments, safety planning and support planning.

Help victims understand court processes and make informed decisions.

Advocate for the safety and wellbeing of both adult and child victim-survivors.

Work closely with Cafcass, Family Courts, Children's Services and other safeguarding partners.

Ensure children's voices, experiences and needs are recognised and appropriately considered within assessments and decision-making.

Provide susinct risk summary reports to the courts in child contact proceedings

Promote a trauma-informed and child-centred approach in all aspects of your work.

You will need:

Experience supporting victims of domestic abuse.

Strong safeguarding knowledge relating to children and adults.

Good advocacy, communication and partnership-working skills.

Experience undertaking risk assessments and safety planning.

An understanding of family court processes and the impact of domestic abuse on children and families.

A commitment to trauma-informed, person-centred practice.

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.

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