Frontline Programme SOP Freelance Writer (Female only applicants)

Be Part of Meaningful Change. Rape Crisis South London (RCSL) is entering an exciting new chapter. With a new CEO, refreshed Senior Leadership Team, and an ambitious vision for the future, we are laying the foundations for a bold new organisational strategy.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. This role is offered on a consultancy/project basis rather than as a salaried position. Renumeration will be agreed as a total project budget, not a salary, and will reflect the scope and deliverables of the assignment. There are no fixed weekly working hours. The consultant will have up to three months to complete the agreed deliverables and may determine how and when the work is undertaken within this timeframe. The role is not office-based. Meetings will take place as required with the Director of Programmes, either virtually or in person, to support progress and delivery.

About the Role: We are now seeking a Frontline Programme SOP Freelance Writer to join our Programmes Department on a temporary basis at this pivotal time for the organisation. The successful candidate will be a highly skilled and sensitive Programme SOP Writer, responsible for developing clear, ethical, and trauma-informed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across our services, ensuring consistency, safeguarding, and best practice in service delivery. This role is critical to ensuring safe, consistent, and high-quality support for survivors, while strengthening safeguarding, compliance, and operational excellence.

You will work closely with frontline staff, safeguarding leads, and leadership to document and improve processes across support services, ensuring all procedures reflect feminist principles and survivor-centred care.

Interview Process: Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview, conducted via MS Teams. Stage one: MS Teams with the Director of Programmes and two other panel members. The whole process from advertisement to appointment may take up to 1 - 3 weeks. Due to the urgent need for support, applications will be reviewed and interviews arranged on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged.

Our vision: A world free from sexual violence, where survivors are believed, respected and supported. Our mission: To provide high-quality, specialist support and to challenge the structures that enable sexual violence.

What You Will Do:

• Map and document end-to-end processes across all four frontline support services (e.g., intake, risk assessment, case management, referrals, crisis response).
• Develop trauma-informed, survivor-centred SOPs that prioritise safety, dignity, and confidentiality.
• Collaborate with frontline practitioners to capture real-world workflows and best practices.
• Ensure SOPs align with safeguarding policies, legal requirements, and ethical standards (e.g., data protection, confidentiality, consent).
• Standardise documentation formats, language, and terminology across programmes.
• Identify gaps, risks, and inconsistencies in current processes and recommend improvements.
• Support the integration of feminist principles into operational procedures.
• Produce practical guidance documents to support staff training and onboarding.
• Create processes for regular reviews and updates of SOPs to reflect evolving best practice and legislation.

About You: Person Specification - Essential:

• Proven experience writing SOPs, operational manuals, or process documentation in sensitive service environments.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed practice and survivor-centred approaches.
• Experience working with or within services supporting survivors of sexual violence, domestic abuse, or similar contexts.
• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to handle sensitive subject matter appropriately.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, particularly with frontline practitioners.
• High attention to detail and ability to maintain confidentiality and ethical standards.

Desirable:

• Comprehensive, trauma-informed SOPs for all key programme areas.
• Process maps and workflows for service delivery pathways.
• SOP templates and documentation standards.
• Recommendations for strengthening safeguarding, consistency, and service quality.

What You Bring:

• Commitment to feminist, survivor-led practice.
• Anti-racist and anti-discriminatory values.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Commitment to learning, reflection and self-care.

Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment: Rape Crisis South London is committed to safeguarding survivors, children, young people and adults at risk. All staff have a shared responsibility for promoting safety and wellbeing.

This includes:

• Promoting the safety and wellbeing of service users.
• Identifying and reporting safeguarding concerns.
• Following organisational safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Supporting a culture where everyone feels safe, respected and supported.

Our safer recruitment processes include:

• Values-based interviews.
• Verification of identity, qualifications and employment history.
• Reference checks.
• DBS checks (enhanced or basic, depending on the role).
• Safeguarding training and ongoing supervision.

Equality, Feminism and Inclusion: RCSL is an equal opportunities employer. Our work is rooted in feminist principles that recognise sexual violence as both a cause and consequence of gender inequality. We centre survivor voices and prioritise empowerment, inclusivity and intersectionality. We particularly welcome applications from women who are under-represented in roles within the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), charity, social impact sector.

Intersectionality and Reasonable Adjustments: We recognise that experiences of sexual violence are shaped by intersecting factors including race and ethnicity, disability, sexuality and gender identity, socio-economic background, immigration status, faith and culture. We are committed to removing barriers and creating an inclusive workplace.

Applicants are encouraged to tell us if they require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, such as alternative interview timings, additional time for written tasks, or support relating to disability, neurodivergence or health needs.

Learning and Development: As a charity undergoing growth and transformation, we welcome colleagues who are committed to ongoing learning and professional development. We provide induction, supervision, and development opportunities appropriate to the role.

The interview will explore experience and approach to safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, feminist and trauma-informed practice, role-specific responsibilities, and role-specific assessment details.

Post holder will be required to undertake either Enhanced or Basic DBS.

This post is open to women only and is a Genuine Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010 (where applicable).

How to Apply: Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role. Applications should be sent in PDF format (no more than a 1000 words). Closing date: until filled. Interview date(s): on a rolling basis.

Thank you for your interest in RCSL. If you have not heard from us within one month of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful. We encourage you to follow us on LinkedIn @rapecrisissouthlondon for future opportunities and updates.