Job Role: Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA)
Salary: £16,000 – £16,640 (includes NIC)
Location: Working at one of our base in Tower Hamlets
Contract: 12 month fixed contract
Hours p/w: 16 hours per week
About Amour Destiné
We provide support to African/Caribbean and mix heritage women/girls affected by trauma such as being care experienced, Harmful Practices (HP), Domestic Abuse (DA) and Sexual Violence (SV) in the Royal Borough of Greenwich & surrounding boroughs.
A culturally specific service to implement positive change and a better quality of sustained life by improving the quality and access to gender based abuse services for African/Caribbean and mix heritage women and girls.
We aim to achieve this by bridging the gap between the services available to them and the criminal justice process.
We help those affected to access free support services designed to support with an array of challenges that may arise because of HP/DA/SV. Depending on their needs, we will liaise with organisations on their behalf and help them to communicate effectively during meetings to find solutions to their problem. We also offer 1:1 and group educational wellbeing workshops and counselling, led by inspiring women with similar experiences.
We also work with partners to influence change through research, training and consulting organisations to improve responses and access to services for African/Caribbean and mix heritage women and girls affected by HP, DA and SV.
About the Health and Wellbeing IDVA role
Amour Destine is seeking a dedicated and experienced IDVA to support African/Caribbean and mix heritage women in Greenwich who are experiencing domestic abuse, harmful practices trauma, and social isolation.
This role will combine advocacy and emotional support interventions, working holistically with women to improve their safety, you will provide one-to-one support.
The role is part of a Foundation for Future London -funded project focused on building safe spaces for African/Caribbean and mix heritage women who face barriers to accessing mainstream services in partnership with the Women Inclusive Team (WIT).
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide high-quality, trauma-informed advocacy (IDVA support) to women experiencing domestic abuse, harmful practices and inequality
- Deliver holistic wellbeing support, addressing mental health, isolation, and access to services
- Facilitate group sessions and wellbeing activities that promote connection and recovery
- Develop safety plans and carry out risk assessments (including DASH where appropriate)
- Work in partnership with local services, MARAC, and community organisations
- Support referrals and signposting to specialist services (housing, mental health, legal support)
- Maintain accurate case records and contribute to monitoring and evaluation
- Respond to safeguarding concerns in line with organisational policy
About You
The successful application will have
- SafeLives or Asian Women Resource Centre IDVA/Harmful practice qualification
- At least 2 years experience of working with African/Caribbean and mix heritage women/girl survivors of harmful practices or exploitation within a trauma-informed and inclusive framework
- Experience of providing advice, advocacy, or casework services to African/Caribbean and mix heritage women/girls and managing caseloads and, in particular those experiencing/ at risk of harmful practices , domestic/sexual abuse
- Experience of providing non-judgemental and confidential support to individuals, and of encouraging them to rebuild their lives
- Experience of using a case management system to evidence work, in line with monitoring requirements and providing timely information to managers to ensure contract compliance
- Experience of working within a multi-agency framework
- Knowledge & understanding of the practical, emotional, social, and economic issues facing African/Caribbean and mix heritage women/girls affected by or at risk of harmful practices and exploitation
- Knowledge of the range of options available to survivors of harmful practices , domestic/sexual abuse including safe housing, criminal justice, and civil remedies
- Knowledge of issues relating to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults
- Working knowledge of current immigration, policing, and social housing issues relevant to harmful practices and exploitation
- Ability to demonstrate empathy for the issues and barriers faced by African/Caribbean and mix heritage girls/women
- Ability to maintain professionalism when dealing with crises and challenging situations
- Ability to work in partnership and build and maintain effective working relationships with other teams and external organisations that offer services to service users
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to use the Microsoft Office suite and case management systems
- Willingness to work flexible hours where required to meet the needs of service users
Desirable
- Ability to speak a language relevant to African/Caribbean and mix heritage communities
- strong commitment to tackling all forms of harm against women and children
- Knowledge of services within Tower Hamlets and East London
- Lived experience or strong cultural competence relevant to the communities we serve
What we offer
- Opportunity to work within a specialist Black-led organisation making real impact
- Monthly clinical supervision and ongoing professional development
- A supportive, collaborative team environment
- The chance to shape and deliver a meaningful, community-led project
How to Apply
Please apply by sending your CV and a covering letter highlighting why your application should be considered above others to us by email to info@amourdestine.org.uk with the job title in the subject heading.
Deadline to apply: Monday 18 May at midnight
Interviews will take place: the week of 25th May 2026. We will only contact those applicants who have been successful.
We operate a safer recruitment process and as part of this process the successful candidate will be subject to Police vetting and enhanced DBS check. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.
Amour Destine is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Due to the nature of this role, we particularly welcome applications over the age of 18 from African/Caribbean and mix heritage women and those with lived experience relevant to the communities we serve (this role may be exempt under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1).