isva in Plymouth

ABOUT US

The Bridge Project South West delivers the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor Service across Devon and Cornwall for all adults and children who have reported, or are considering reporting sexual assault, rape or sexual abuse. The Bridge Project is a service of TWCC Projects Ltd which is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Women’s Centre Cornwall. The Women’s Centre Cornwall are the lead provider and contract holder for the service which is delivered in partnership with Devon Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Services, Intercom Trust, Konnect Communities, The Children’s Society, The Olive Project and West Cornwall Women’s Aid. The Women’s Centre Cornwall has over 25 years of experience of working with female survivors of sexual and domestic violence. In addition, we provide community-based activities across Cornwall and support women ex-offenders across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and HMP Eastwood Park in Gloucestershire.

PURPOSE

To provide specialist advocacy and support to survivors of rape, sexual violence, or sexual abuse, including adults, children and young people, ensuring an inclusive, trauma-informed and survivor-led approach. The role requires trauma-informed, empowering practice to support clients throughout the criminal justice process and beyond.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide specialist, trauma-informed advocacy and support to adults, children and young people who have experienced sexual violence.
• Assess risk and support adults, children and young people in creating tailored safety and support plans.
• Offer guidance and advocacy through the criminal justice process, including support with police investigations and court proceedings, including accompanying them to meetings with the police, the courts and other professionals.
• Providing clear and accurate information to survivors on reporting rape and sexual violence offences so that they can assess their options and make informed choices.
• Work with parents/carers (where appropriate) and professionals, ensuring a coordinated response to support.
• Work closely with partner agencies including police, health, education, social care and specialist services to ensure a coordinated multi-agency response.
• Provide information on rights, entitlements, and options available, empowering adults and young people to make informed choices.
• To provide ISVA cover as needed across the service, which may include supporting at court and holding cases temporarily.
• Attend case conferences, multi-agency meetings, and contribute to safeguarding processes where required.
• Manage a caseload, ensuring that the case management system, and all other recording systems, are updated in an accurate and timely manner in line with data protection regulations and organisational policies.
• Manage your own diary and correspondence, make your own room bookings where necessary and arrange and cancel your own appointments.
• Work effectively both independently and as part of a team, managing a busy workload, prioritising tasks efficiently, and remaining calm and professional under pressure.
• Develop and maintain strong and effective working relationships with key external stakeholders.
• Participate in the development and delivery of awareness-raising activities for professionals and young people.
• To undertake the Bridge Project induction training programme.
• To complete the ISVA Qualification if not already held or to commence training within your probationary period.
• Engage in continuous professional development, including Training, Team Meetings, Supervision, Reflective Practice Sessions and Professional Development Days both in person and online.
• Commitment to working within the ethos and values of The Bridge Project ISVA service.
• Provide compassionate, non-judgmental emotional and practical support tailored to the age and needs of adults, children and young people, ensuring they remain central to all our interactions.

For full details of the role and an Application Form, click 'Apply Now'

Closing date: 9am, Friday 16th January 2025

This post is open to women only in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1. The Bridge Project values diversity and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, especially from groups with a protected characteristic such as black and minoritised women, who are currently under-represented at the Bridge Project.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £24,956.00-£26,476.00 per year

Benefits: Company pension, Health & wellbeing programme, Work from home

Application question(s): Do you have experience of working with adults, children or young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or exploitation? Do you have the ability to assess risk and develop effective safety and support plans? Do you have an understanding of the impact of sexual violence on survivors?

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Plymouth (Devon)