Custody advice jobs in newcastle

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your reason for applying and how your past work experiences make you suitability for the role 

Deadline: Monday 21st July

Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time if we receive a high volume of applications or if a suitable candidate is found, therefore we suggest submitting your application as soon as you can.

 This post is:

• subject to Enhanced DBS Disclosure
• subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. It will be necessary for a disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and barring Service for details of any previous criminal convictions.
• Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK
• Open to women* only (*exempt under the Equality Act 2010 Schedule 9, Part 1

The Angelou Centre is aware that women and people of the global majority are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification and requirement. So, if you are excited by the role, but your past experience doesn’t quite match every requirement we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the person we are looking for.

Role Overview

Contract: Full-time fixed term for 12 months,

with possibility of extension subject to funding

Salary: £23,387 to £27,445.60 (per hour £12.85 to £15.08)

Depending on experience and qualifications

Hours & Days 35 hours a week

Monday to Fridays 9am to 5pm                            

Additional benefits 25 days paid holiday,

employer’s pension contribution of 6%,

enhanced maternity leave

 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

As an ISVA within The Angelou Centre you will be part of our front-line team providing emotional and trauma informed support to women and children experiencing gender based domestic abuse.  The primary responsibility of all advocates within The Angelou is to provide women and children with continuous one-to-one support, practical advice and advocacy, such as writing referrals for women to access the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). Much of this work takes the form of casework, and report writing, as well as ensuring that the women receive comprehensive support that addresses their health, social care, housing, immigration and benefit-related needs. All advocates are required to spent at least 30% of your time will be spent on outreach work to engage with communities that may not have heard of The Angelou Centre.

Specific to the ISVA role, is to provide tailored support, advice and advocacy to women who are or have been victims of sexual abuse and exploitation. Alongside this you will support The Angelou Centre in raising awareness of sexual education through outreach activities, ensuring services are accessible to women of the Black and racialised community. 

Our ideal candidate is someone who;

• Is confident and pro-active in advocating on behalf of our survivors and able to represent their needs when working with partner agencies
• Is compassionate, non-judgmental and committed to supporting survivors of domestic abuse
• Has excellent written skills with some experience of casework within legal, healthcare or an educational setting.
• Has experience of conducting risk and needs assessments within legal, healthcare or an educational setting.

Key Responsibilities

Advice and Advocacy Support

• Provide tailored, one-to-one continuous support, advice, and advocacy to black and minoritised victims and survivors of sexual violence and exploitation
• Provide weekly drop-in opportunities for black and racially minoritized women in the local area
• Support improved mental wellbeing and resilience, measured using Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well Being Scale and the Chaos Index for those with complex needs.
• To be aware of external service processes to safeguard individuals who are exposed to sexual exploitation.

Outreach Support

• To attend external team meetings and presentations in relevant forums and partnerships
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with key organisations and their staff to support women to gain access to the services they require.

Casework

• Complete regular risk assessment tools for each case supported and risk management plans, including DASH RIC assessments.
• Complete reports, to assist Line Manager in providing detailed reports to funders
• Maintain in depth and up-to-date knowledge of all practice, procedures and policies.
• To deal with complaints, feedback and suggestions and identifying practical solutions to any barriers.

 ISVA Specific

• To set up and maintain services to women in custody who are experiencing and/or are at risk of Sexual exploitation.
• To develop specialist knowledge in the area of sex work and sexual exploitation, and how this impacts women from Black and racialized minorities differently, through attendance at relevant training, learning events and conferences
• Raise awareness on sexual education through outreach activities, ensuring services are accessible to those with protected characteristics and/or facing multiple disadvantages.
• Help improve local services understanding of the dynamics of sexual exploitation and the long-term impact.
• Support police when undertaking visits to brothels to assist with safeguarding women who are experiencing Sexual exploitation.

In order to deliver services effectively, a degree of flexibility is required and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. Such duties however, will fall within the scope of the job at the appropriate grade. This job description will be subjected to review with the post holder, to ensure that it accurately reflects the duties and range of the post. The aim is to improve the quality of service for black and racialized women and all matters relating to their wellbeing.

Person Specification

Experience & Abilities

• Experience of supporting women who have experienced or are at risk of sexual abuse and violence
• Experience of risk and needs assessment, safety and support planning, particularly with clients with complex/multiple needs
• Experience of partnership working and of maintaining excellent working relationships with a range of stakeholders; particularly social care.
• Experience of managing a high caseload
• Strong IT skills with experience around data collection and monitoring
• Excellent written abilities, with some experience within preparing reports for courts, case conference and information for MARAC
• Experience around setting clear professional boundaries with clients and partners
• Ability to work cooperatively within a team and with statutory organisations

Knowledge & Qualifications

• An excellent understanding of sexual violence
• An excellent understanding of UK policies and legislation around sexual abuse
• Good working knowledge of UK adult safeguarding practice, procedures and legislation.
• Safeguarding Adults and Children Level 1
• A good understanding of confidentiality and anti-discriminatory practice; safe practice and health and safety procedures

Values & Approach

• Commitment to anti-racist, trauma-informed, and feminist practice.
• Empathy, kindness, and cultural competence, with a commitment to supporting Black and racially minoritised women
• Has a ‘can do’ positive approach with a curious open to learning approach
• Able to work flexibly and respond to crisis situations with a trauma-informed approach
• Able to priorities workload and work independently using your own initiative
• Has a commitment to shared responsibility in a team context approach
• Willingness to undertake training and show a commitment to continuous personal development, reflecting on own practice with a willingness to make changes if needed

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in crisis management
• IDVA and/or ISVA qualification
• An excellent understanding of sexual violence and of UK policies and legislation around sexual abuse
• Good working knowledge of UK adult safeguarding practice, procedures and legislation.