We have a rewarding opportunity available for a Female* Mental Health Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (IDVA) to join our team based in South Gloucestershire on a part time, fixed term contract until 31st March 2026 working full-time 30 hours per week with some additional evening and Saturday work on a rota basis. In return, you will receive a competitive salary of £27,711 (unqualified) or £29,093 (qualified) plus benefits.
Established in 1999, Next Link is the leading provider of domestic abuse services to women and children in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. At Next Link we are committed to providing holistic, empowering and personalised support and advocacy to women and children experiencing domestic abuse. With a focus on survivor’s safety and recovery; we believe the provision of flexible support tailored to survivor’s needs can be transforming, helping to maximise independence and self-determination so survivors can make informed choices.

ABOUT THE FEMALE* MENTAL HEALTH INDEPENDENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVISOR ROLE

This post will be based within Next Link Domestic abuse services providing outreach, and community-based support to high risk victims of domestic abuse across South Gloucestershire.
Working across Next Link with victim’s in South Gloucestershire and close partnership working with the Lighthouse, MARAC and the DRIVE Project to provide co-ordinated package of emotional and practical support, advice and advocacy to female or male survivors of domestic violence and their children,
The role involves empowering survivors to increase their options, make positive choices/decisions, increase their confidence, safety and recovery.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OUR FEMALE* MENTAL HEALTH INDEPENDENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVISOR:

• To establish and maintain support to survivors and their children, with a victim centred approach, focussing on safety and recovery
• Providing support to enable survivors to safely maintain their current accommodation, access welfare benefits, legal advice alternative housing, and support services.
• Maintain an effective support service with the aim of enabling the survivor and her children to develop the skills and resources necessary to move on and maintain independence and self-reliance.
• Co deliver Survivor programmes (e.g. Freedom Programme), Family and Peer Support group work activities
• Champion service user empowerment and involvement
• To liaise effectively and collaboratively with all appropriate agencies and community groups to ensure the best access to services and meaningful community engagement for service users
  This is not an exhaustive list of your duties and outlines the general ways in which it is expected you will meet the overall requirements of this post.