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

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

Salary: £25,954 per annum rising to £26,364 per annum on successful completion of probation and £28,002 per annum after 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, possibility for hybrid or some remote working where appropriate.

Area Covered: Swindon and Wiltshire.

Contract: Fixed term, 18 month contract.

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 keep victims safe. The 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.

Key responsibilities

• Comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of sexual violence and its impact on victims, family members and wider society.
• Travel throughout Swindon and Wiltshire to provide support to clients under 18 years of age.
• Manage a caseload of clients aged 0-18, including child sexual abuse/violence and child sexual exploitation cases.
• Provide face to face, telephone and e mail support to clients and their supporters where appropriate.
• Develop and promote the role of the Children and Young People's Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (CYP ISVA) across First Light.
• Be respectful of the diversity of CYPs and prioritise the accessibility of service provision.
• Support children and young people through the criminal justice process and liaise with the police accordingly.
• Respond to crisis situations with clients and complete onward safeguarding referrals.
• Engage with other agencies such as Paediatric SARC (The Bridge), CAMHS, social services, police and counselling services to provide a multi agency approach for clients.
• Maintain professional record keeping using the client information system.

Essential requirements

• Valid UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
• Exemplary partnership skills and an understanding of Children's and Vulnerable People Safeguarding procedures.

Added benefits

• A comprehensive induction and training programme, with a hybrid working policy for a better work/life balance.
• A well being day per financial year (1 st April to 31 st March).
• Access to external supervision to discuss personal or emotional responses to traumatic cases.
• Health and wellbeing resources, including a staff Well being Group, Staff Consultation Committee and active participation in an 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. The employer encourages applications from all sections of the community and all backgrounds regardless of age, race, faith, disability, neurodiversities, gender, gender expression or sexuality. First Light is a Disability Confident Committed Employer and has an LGBTQIA+ Staff Network.
• Annual pay review and employer contribution pension scheme.

Additional Information

The successful applicant will be subject to a Disclosure & Barring check, a social media check as part of the Safer Recruitment process and, upon offer, two satisfactory employment references, one of which must be from the current or most recent employer.

Equal Opportunities

We encourage applications from all backgrounds and all individuals. We are an equal opportunity employer.