Health Independent Gender Violence Advocate (IGVA)

We are the UK’s largest provider of specialist services for victims of all forms of gender-based violence (domestic, sexual, so called ‘honour’ violence, 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 and culturally-specific services and the Freephone 24 Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline (run in partnership with Women’s Aid). 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, managing a busy press office and website, and we are an accredited training provider. We give a voice to the voiceless.

Position: Health Independent Gender Violence Advocate (IGVA)
Location: Lewisham
Job type: Full Time, Permanent
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £27,177 - £29,943 per annum
Benefits: include 28 days holiday pro rata, pension scheme, an employee assistance programme and a childcare voucher scheme.

Closing date: 21st April 2019

About the role:
The Health IGVA will be a key part of the VAWG (Violence Against Women & Girls) team working to provide high quality independent advocacy and support to survivors of gender based violence at the highest risk and their children. The role will be part of increasing the ability of partner agencies, including those in health in Lewisham to recognise, reject and respond appropriately and safely to all forms of gender based violence (including domestic violence, sexual, financial and emotional abuse, female genital mutilation, forced marriage and so called ‘honour’ based violence).

Responsibilities:
Your work will be hospital based part of the time and will include developing effective referral routes across a number of health department’s e.g. maternity service and accident and emergency (A&E) and identifying opportunities to develop and deliver training. You will be working closely with other health care professionals to build capacity and to develop joint working initiatives which address the specific health care needs of survivors of gender based violence.

About you:
You will have proven experience of providing direct emotional and practical support to survivors of gender based violence, and of managing case work. In addition you will have experience of working within a health setting and the ability to manage in a crisis. Knowledge of the relevant housing, criminal, civil and welfare rights legislation is also essential.

We are proud to be a leader in our field and an employer of choice with leading edge systems for supervision, quality management and development. We offer the first Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) accredited qualification for our profession. Other benefits include 28 days holiday pro rata, pension scheme, an employee assistance programme and a childcare voucher scheme.

An enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) certificate will be required for this role.

The organisation is committed to quality, equality and diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. This post is however restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

You may have experience of the following: Advocate, Advocator, Vulnerable People, Social Worker, Advocacy, Relevant Persons Representative, Charity, Third Sector Advocacy Support, Social Care, Refuge Worker, Support Worker, Female Support Worker, Vulnerable People, Voluntary Sector, Charity, Charities, Third Sector, Not for Profit, NFP, etc.