Children & Young Peoples Independent Sexual Violence Advisor in Swindon

Swindon and Wiltshire Children & Young Peoples Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (Fixed Term)

Salary: £24,956 per annum rising to £25,350 per annum on successful completion of probation, £26,925 upon successful completion of ISVA accreditation

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Monday-Friday, 09:00-17:00)

Holiday: 25 days annual holiday entitlement increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service per annum plus bank holidays

Base: The Gables, Swindon, remote working where appropriate

Area Covered: Swindon and Wiltshire

Contract: 18 month Fixed term

About the Role

To work in a multi-agency setting providing a pro-active crisis intervention service to child victims of sexual violence within and outside of the criminal justice system. The post holder will work pro-actively to risk assess and support client needs and develop a comprehensive support plan to help keep victims safe. This role will use advocacy and partnership working skills to ensure victims are supported throughout the criminal justice system from report to court, and to access services to which they are entitled. There is a commitment to providing a high quality, victim-focused and inclusive service as outlined in the Victim Code of Practice. The post holder will manage a busy caseload and have excellent partnership skills and an understanding of Children's and Vulnerable people Safeguarding procedures. This role will work proactively as part of the ISVA Team and will have respect for the diversity of the community in which the service works to ensure the services is accessible to all. The post holder will be required to provide advocacy and information to clients in high risk situations where the safety of the service user and self is to be prioritised. Appropriate professional record keeping is required using the client information system. We encourage applications from all genders.

Key responsibilities:

• The Post Holder should have a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of Sexual Violence, and its impact on Victims, Family Members and Wider Society
• The post holder will travel throughout Swindon and Wiltshire to provide support to clients under 18 years of age.
• Manage a caseload of clients aged 0-18 that will vary between child sexual abuse/violence and child sexual exploitation cases, providing an individual support care plan to meet their needs.
• The post holder will provide face to face, telephone and email support to clients and their supporters where appropriate
• Ensure that a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of sexual violence and child sexual exploitation, and its impact on victims, family members and wider society.
• Be proactive and develop the role of the Children and Young People’s Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (CYP ISVA) across First Light
• Be respectful of the diversity of CYP’s and of the need to prioritise the accessibility of service provision.
• CYP ISVA will support children and young people through the criminal justice process and liaise with the police accordingly.
• The CYP ISVA’s will respond to crisis situations as they arise with their clients and complete onward safeguarding referrals.
• CYP ISVA’s will engage with other agencies such as Paediatric SARC (The Bridge), CAMHS, social services, police and counselling services to provide a multi-agency approach for their clients.

Person Specification

Essential requirements:

• The Post Holder will hold a Valid UK Driving License and have access to a Vehicle.
• English Language and Mathematics GCSE
• Evidence of IT and computer literacy skills
• Professional experience of working with vulnerable children/young people and their families/carers
• Experience developing and maintaining relationships with clients/colleagues/professionals and stakeholders
• Experience of the work of criminal/civil justice and/or health and social care systems

Added benefits:

• A comprehensive induction and training programme.
• A well-being day per financial year (1st April to 31st March)
• Access to external supervision to discuss personal or emotional responses to traumatic cases, to ensure emotional and psychological well-being.
• Health and well-being resources including our staff Well-being Group, Staff Consultation Committee and active participation in our employee engagement platform.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme which includes a 24/7 telephone helpline offering medical, emotional and financial support.
• Working for an organisation committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We encourage applications from all sections of the community, and all backgrounds regardless of age, race, faith, disability, neurodiversities, genders, gender expression or sexuality. First Light are a Disability Confident Committed Employer and have an LGBTQIA+ Staff Network.
• Annual pay review and employer contribution pension scheme.

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.