National LGBT+ Independent Victim Advocate
Do you want to make life better for LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse?
Galop works directly with thousands of LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence every year. We specialise in supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime, and other forms of abuse including honour-based abuse, forced marriage, and so-called conversion therapies. We are a service run by LGBT+ people, for LGBT+ people, and the needs of our community are at the centre of what we do.
We run three national support helplines for LGBT+ victims and survivors of domestic abuse, so-called “conversion therapy, ”and hate crime. We provide advocacy services, both in London and nationally, for LGBT+ victims who need longer-term support. We are person-centred, empowerment-based, and trauma-informed – meaning our focus is always on helping our clients decide what is best for them, and then supporting them through their journey.
We use what we learn through working on the frontlines with clients to work on national and local policy change, to improve outcomes for LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence. We build evidence through key pieces of research, like our upcoming report into LGBT+ experiences of sexual violence. We push for legislative change, improved statutory guidance for victims, and better understanding of the needs of LGBT+ people around the country.
About the role
You will be joining our growing national advocacy team, supporting survivors remotely across the UK and providing Face-to-face support, office based, or community-based support in Wales which will be
delivered in the context of a confidential and a safe space for survivors. You will work directly with LGBT+ victims/survivors, offering them a space to talk and think through options, helping them plan what they want to do, and offering assistance in getting what they need from services. Your work will focus on needs specifically related to experiences of abuse or violence, including issues such as wellbeing, support with the criminal and civil justice process, safety and access to other services to enable survivors to cope and recover. You will be empathetic and thoughtful in your approach to understanding your clients’ needs, while maintaining boundaries and mindful of self-care.
Providing advice, advocacy and support to LGBT+ victims/survivors of abuse and violence, with a focus on so-called conversion practices, which will include:
- Remotely supporting, advising and advocating for a national caseload of LGBT+ people who have been subjected to abuse or violence. The focus of the support will be to LGBT+ victims/survivors of so-called conversion practices
- Ensuring your approach to contact with clients is trauma-informed, empowerment-based and person-centred.
- Providing information and support to enable clients to make informed choices and meet their individual needs.
- Assisting victims/survivors in dealing with the diverse impacts of harm and abuse (safety, emotional, social, financial, or practical).
- Assisting/supporting clients in navigating the criminal/civil justice systems, ensuring they are aware of their rights and options.
- Maintaining professional boundaries at all times and ensuring that clients understand the remit of the service.
Partnership working
- Providing appropriate referrals/signposting to other agencies including, housing, welfare, counselling and other support services.
- Maintaining positive working relationships with key agencies and Galop partners, including attending internal/external meetings, with a focus on Wales.
- Working with agencies to safeguard victims and survivors, keeping them informed of relevant changes to a client’s situation.
Monitoring and evaluation
- Ensuring all client records are maintained and treated in confidence, according to Galop policies and GDPR legislation.
- Keeping accurate records of work undertaken with clients in line with Galop’s policies and funder agreements.
- Assist collecting monitoring data and client feedback for reports.
- Understanding of and commitment to inclusive working with LGBT+ clients from diverse backgrounds.
- Acting in accordance with Galop policies, procedures and ethos.
- Being an active member of the Galop team, attending regular staff team meetings, attending clinical supervision and training.
- Participating and contributing to Galop service planning & strategic development, with a focus on Wales.
About you
You will have expertise in delivering needs-led specialist support services. You will need to be solutions-focused and enjoy working collaboratively across a diverse and committed team. You’ll need to have good resilience and self-care and be prepared to work in an environment where abuse and violence are regularly talked about. You’ll need to understand the impact of trauma and how that affects our team.
There is a Genuine Occupational Requirement under the Equality Act 2010 that the post holder has experience of LGBT+ needs and the impact of discrimination. Candidates should demonstrate a thorough understanding of LGBT+ people’s lives, including awareness of the issues that LGBT+ survivors might face.
In addition, due to role being a Bilingual post, it is an essential requirement for the individual for this role to speak fluent Welsh and English.
Location: This is a remote post, working from home.
The role will include travel to our London building and occasional travel across the UK and in particular to communities across Wales.
Hours: 0.6 FTE (21 hours per week) flexibility available
Contract: Until 31 March 2025 (extension subject to funding)
Salary: Grade F: £27,230.31 - £31,878.96 (pro-rata)
Closing Date : Applications should be submitted by 10am on Tuesday 21st May.
Interview dates TBC.
REF-214 112
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
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To be successful you will require 1-2 years of experience in a public relations or communications position, ideally within the charity or public sectors, excellent IT skills including ability to use Microsoft Office suite, along with superb organisational skills with a proven ability to prioritise work to meet deadlines and show attention to detail.
In return you will benefit from working for a not-for-profit organisation that delivers a service which makes a real difference to peoples’ lives. We offer training and development to help you grow your career, a good annual leave entitlement, flexible working options, access to our workplace pension, employee assistance programme and a Benenden Healthcare package.
If you are interested in becoming part of the team and have the skills and experience that we are looking for and are passionate about making a real difference, then please read the Job Description and Person Specification.
Appointments are subject to Carers First receiving suitable references and an appropriate disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.
We encourage and welcome applications regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation or age.
If you would like to discuss this role confidentially, please contact us and we will be happy to organise for one of the Team to contact you. Please note that if you have not been contacted within one week of submitting your online application, that your application has not been successful. Carers First is an Equal Opportunities Employer