At a Glance
- Tasks: Support survivors of church-related abuse through helpline, email, and live chat.
- Company: Join First Light, a compassionate organisation dedicated to helping survivors.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days holiday, hybrid working, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of survivors and be their trusted support.
- Qualifications: Empathy, communication skills, and a passion for supporting others.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and impactful work.
The predicted salary is between 22400 - 25600 Β£ per year.
Salary: Β£24,956 per annum rising to Β£25,350 per annum on successful completion of probation
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (09:00 - 17:00 Monday to Friday)
Holiday: 25 days annual holiday entitlement increasing to 30 days after 5 yearsβ service per annum plus bank holidays
Base: Hybrid working - mixture of home working and in an office in Plymouth, Swindon or Gloucester.
Contract: Permanent
About the Role
The Safe Spaces Support Advisor will be the first point of contact for Survivors of Church related abuse accessing the Safe Spaces service, including operating the helpline, monitoring an email inbox and live chat. They will make first contact with all new referrals into the Safe Spaces service within 24 hours of receipt of referral and assist in operating group peer support for Survivors.
Key responsibilities:
- Support recent or non-recent survivors of church-based abuse who wish to access the Safe Spaces service.
- Maintain survivor engagement for adults using the Safe Spaces helpline, email and live chat as a single point of contact until such a time as they decide to make a referral.
- Ensure that the victim feels supported, listened to and believed.
- Support with safety planning, monitor risk (including escalation to high risk and safeguarding concerns) in tandem with the Survivor Advocates and Team manager.
- Explain potential options with survivors regarding statutory pathways and Diocesan pathways for justice and support.
- Provide victim-focused advice and guidance for external agencies approaching Safe Spaces for expertise.
- Broker recovery support packages (recovery programs, therapy, peer support, onward referral) for eligible and ineligible contacts.
- Signpost/refer and broker access to information advice and support.
- Support the Survivor advocates during busy periods to ensure clients are provided with regular and effective contact and support.
- Confirm clients are seen by aftercare services and collect feedback from partner agencies.
- Accurately, confidentially and efficiently manage MODUS and Share Point databases, including the creation and assigning of new cases to Survivor Advocates to contribute to effective monitoring of the service.
- Collect online feedback from current and past clients on a quarterly basis to assist the manager in report writing, including supporting less technologically able service users to complete feedback forms.
- Provide continuity of support to all victims who have not been assigned a front-line support worker or are currently unassigned.
- Continually assess and regularly review the victim risk and needs and use a Trauma informed Approach to keeping victims and their families safe.
- Manage and review own case load ensuring the service is user centred, cost effective, efficient and responsive to the needs of clients and professionals.
Additional Information: The successful applicant will be subject to a Disclosure & Barring check, and a social media check conducted by a third-party organisation as part of our Safer Recruitment process. Any future offer of employment is contingent on the satisfactory completion of these checks, as well as the receipt of two satisfactory employment references, with one being from your current or most recent employer.
Please note that in some roles staff may be required to work from a home/office base in accordance with our Hybrid Working policy.
Deadline for receipt of applications: 09:00 on 23rd February 2026
Expected date for interviews: To be confirmed with the candidate
If you do not hear from us within 10 working days of the deadline for receipt of applications, please assume you have been unsuccessful at this time. We reserve the right to withdraw this advert early for the right candidate, so we encourage early applications.
To Apply: If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for First Light, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application. Due to Safeguarding requirements, we are unable to accept CVs as part of your application or employ any candidate who has been a client of First Light within the last two years. Please complete the application form on the top right of the advert on our website. Ensure that you outline your relevant experience and evidence suitability for the role against the role profile, which is a combined job description and person specification.
Safe Spaces Survivor Advisor employer: First Light
Contact Detail:
First Light Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Safe Spaces Survivor Advisor
β¨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research First Light and understand their mission and values. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
β¨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips about the interview process and what itβs really like to work there.
β¨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to survivor support and trauma-informed approaches. We want to see how you handle real-life scenarios, so think of examples from your past experiences.
β¨Tip Number 4
Donβt forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role and keeping you top of mind for the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Safe Spaces Survivor Advisor
Some tips for your application π«‘
Be Yourself: When filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so donβt be afraid to share your experiences and what makes you passionate about this role.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to align your skills and experiences with the key responsibilities listed in the job description. Highlight how your background makes you a perfect fit for supporting survivors of church-related abuse.
Show Your Commitment: Weβre looking for candidates who are genuinely interested in making a difference. Use your application to express your dedication to supporting survivors and your understanding of the challenges they face.
Follow the Instructions: Remember, we can only accept applications through our website, so make sure you complete the application form as instructed. Double-check that youβve included all the necessary information before hitting submit!
How to prepare for a job interview at First Light
β¨Know the Role Inside Out
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Safe Spaces Survivor Advisor. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks, such as supporting survivors and managing risk. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and passion for the role during the interview.
β¨Show Empathy and Understanding
As this role involves working closely with survivors of abuse, it's crucial to convey empathy and understanding. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've supported individuals in distressing situations. This will showcase your ability to connect with clients on a personal level.
β¨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Think of insightful questions to ask about the Safe Spaces service and their approach to survivor support. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the organisation aligns with your values.
β¨Practice Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be operating helplines and engaging with clients through various channels, practice clear and compassionate communication. Consider doing mock interviews with friends or family to refine your responses and ensure you come across as approachable and professional.