Pathfinder Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA)

Black Country Women’s Aid; Leeds; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

A charity supporting victims of domestic abuse is seeking a full-time Pathfinder Independent Domestic Violence Advisor to improve outcomes for survivors within the Family Court system. This role will involve direct support for victims, detailed reporting, and training for court staff to enhance understanding of domestic abuse dynamics. The position is crucial for empowering victims and ensuring their needs are met during legal proceedings. Applicants should have relevant qualifications and experience in social support.

Qualifications

• Ability to navigate Family Court processes for victims.
• Experience working with victims of domestic abuse.
• Strong understanding of social support systems.

Responsibilities

• Serve as point of contact for victims in Family Court.
• Prepare detailed reports for court proceedings.
• Provide expert advice and training to court personnel.

Skills

Empowerment

Communication

Support for victims

Knowledge of domestic abuse

Education

Relevant qualifications in social work or related field

Job description

Black Country Women's Aid

Ensure you read the information regarding this opportunity thoroughly before making an application.

Let us introduce ourselves…

The service

Black Country Women's Aid (BCWA) is an established charity working across the Black Country and wider West Midlands, providing accommodation and community support services to victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse and human trafficking. Services range from advocacy, civil remedies, support in court, individual and group support and access to a range of therapeutic interventions. All services are client and needs-led.

The Family Court Pathfinder Programme

The Family Court Pathfinder Programme is a new programme in selected Family Courts. Its purpose is to improve the experiences of, and outcomes for, victim/survivors of domestic abuse in the Family Court system.

Essential to the work of the Family Court Pathfinder is the role of the Pathfinder IDVA, who will work in a way that empowers the victims/survivors and their children, helps them to navigate the process with confidence, and secure outcomes that are safe and respectful of their needs as the victims of domestic abuse.

Job Role

Job Title: Pathfinder Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA)

Position available: 1 full-time position (37.5 hours) based across the Black Country

Salary: £25,282.44 - £28,861.62 (dependent upon qualifications and experience)

Closing date: 02 January 2026

All interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams

The Role

Pathfinder IDVAs will be the main point of contact and support for victim/survivors and their children in the Family Court process, ensuring that they are well-informed and prepared for proceedings, and that they are well-supported throughout. Pathfinder IDVAs will provide detailed reports for the court to ensure that the impact of domestic abuse on the family as a whole and on the children in particular is fully appreciated and understood. Pathfinder IDVAs will be the 'subject matter experts' for the Court in relation to domestic abuse, and will offer advice and training to court officers and staff to promote a better understanding of the dynamics of domestic abuse within the Court setting.

The Pathfinder IDVAs will work with people from Sandwell, Walsall and Dudley areas whose cases are being heard in Wolverhampton or Telford Family Court.

If you are self-driven, conscientious, hardworking, with lots of ambition, we would love to hear from you.

To be considered for this position, click 'apply', and you will be emailed a link to an application form, job description, and an equal ops form, plus details on how to complete your application.

CVs will not be accepted.

Important information for all positions

Black Country Women's Aid is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults, children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All posts are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. It will be necessary for an enhanced disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service for details of any convictions.

Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies. The post holder must be female.

Employment checks

As a responsible employer, we adhere to safer recruitment practice and all our employees are subject to the following recruitment checks:

• Right to work in the UK
• References: Following your interview, two employment references will be sought. One of these should be your current or most recent employer.
• If you have finished full-time education and you have no employer reference, we will accept a reference from:
• a professional from your centre of study, for instance, a teacher, lecturer or headteacher
• GP or health visitor
• a character reference from a person who knows you
• a civil servant from a government agency
• a bank manager

DBS: All positions are subject to DBS checks at the relevant level.