Domestic abuse jobs

Catch22 exists to help build a society where everyone has a good place to live, good people around them, and a fulfilling purpose. We call these our '3Ps'.

We achieve this in two ways. First, we improve lives on the frontline through delivery of public services. Secondly, we use our knowledge to change 'the system', to fix the complex web that can trap and disempower those it was set up to help. With the heart of a charity and the mindset of a business, we are uniquely placed to deliver on this challenging agenda.

Our Young People & Families (YP&F) Operational Hub delivers a wide range of integrated support services designed to help resolve complex difficulties experienced by young people and their families/carers.

Support is provided to people who find themselves in a range of circumstances; they may be missing from home or have emotional, housing or substance misuse issues. We also support families where parents/carers are experiencing domestic abuse, substance misuse, emotional issues, youth violence, exploitation, homelessness or unemployment. Whatever the situation, we work alongside young people and their carers to find a way of stabilising their lives.

Redthread is one of our services delivered as part of the Young People and Families Hub within Catch22. 

Job Description

Redthread is a hospital based youth work service, working alongside NHS staff and other professionals in emergency departments.

Our experienced, specialist youth workers engage with and support young people, aiming to reduce serious youth violence and exploitation. We often meet young people at a moment of change and work with them to find a positive way forward.

We provide long-term, holistic support. We consider every aspect of a young person’s life and build support around them.

The Young Women's Worker role is to be part of the youth work team within Redthread, whose  primary focus is around providing youth violence interventions in a health care setting.

In this role you will be part of the Youth Violence Intervention team at St George's Hospital. You will support young women aged, 11-25 years old, who present to hospital following an incident of violence/sexual violence of for whom them there are concerns around exploitation (criminal and sexual) or extra-familial harm. You will work with the young women in the hospital as well as supporting them post discharge to ensure they have the support in place that they need and want. The Young Women's Worker provides long term, holistic support and can work with a young women for up to a year. 

Please note: We are only accepting applications from female applicants due to the nature of the role and that the post holder will only be working with young women. 

Main responsibilities include:

• Holding a caseload of young women and to support them in a range of settings and support their personal, emotional, educational and health and social development through all interactions 
• Work within a multi-disciplinary team to safeguarding young women 
• Ensure young women's details and case records are kept up to date on our case management system
• Support the delivery of training to clinicians

Qualifications

Key Skills and Qualifications are: 

• Significant professional experience of working with vulnerable young people in a range of activities and settings
• Experience of working as an effective team member
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of working autonomously
• A thorough knowledge and understanding of the physical, social and emotional developmental needs of young people and especially young women 
• Understanding of the issues faced by young people living in inner city areas
• An awareness of child protection and safeguarding issues and knowledge of current best practice within the youth work sector
• A knowledge of best practice in case recording

Additional information

Hours & work pattern: Full time, 37 hours per week including regular weekend and evening working and shift patterns covering hours of 9am - 9pm. 

Important information for Applicants: We are only accepting applications from female applicants due to the nature of the role and that the post holder will only be working with young women. 

Screening: Successful admission to post is subject to an enhanced DBS check and employer Right To Work in the UK check. The post-holder must have the right to work in the UK. Catch22 does not currently provide a licence to sponsor visas.

Catch22 is proud to have “Banned the Box”. This means that we do not ask for candidates to disclose criminal convictions at the application stage. Instead, we invite disclosures at interview stage, and encourage them at the offer stage. 

At Catch22 we value equality, diversity and inclusion. We are wholeheartedly committed to the principle of equality of opportunity, both as an employer and as a provider of services. Diversity and Inclusion is part of what we do every day, working to deliver our vision to build a strong society where everyone has good people around them, a purpose, and a good place to live.

Catch22 is committed to rigorous safeguarding and safer recruitment practices; ensuring that every individual within the organisation has been safely and appropriately checked.

Please note, we will conduct an online search as part of our due dilligence checks for successful candidate(s). This will involve a search of all publicly available information online and in social media. 

About the role:

People arrive at the hub straight from the streets, often after being knocked back, overlooked or stuck for a long time. This role is about what happens next. As Hub Team Manager, you’ll lead a service that doesn’t let people drift. You’ll make sure the moment someone comes through the door, things start moving.

You’ll be in the middle of it all - guiding a multidisciplinary team, linking in with outreach, pulling partners together and cutting through the noise that keeps people stuck. This isn’t about managing from a distance. You’ll stay close to the work, keeping momentum in complex situations and making sure support lands in a way that actually shifts things for people experiencing multiple disadvantage.

The hub needs to feel calm, safe and purposeful, even on the busiest days. You’ll shape that. Using psychologically informed, trauma-informed and gender-informed practice, you’ll create an environment where people are met with consistency and respect, and where services work together to move people towards safety and stability. No waiting around, no dead ends just clear, coordinated next steps.

At Single Homeless Project (SHP), this is also a role where you’ll grow. You’ll be part of a service that’s central to a borough-wide response, working alongside experienced leaders and partners, with real scope to develop your leadership, influence system change and progress your career within a values-led organisation that backs its people.

About you:

• You’ve worked with people experiencing multiple disadvantage and know how to help them move forward
• You lead from the front — visible, hands-on and confident in complex, high-risk situations
• You bring people together and make things happen, cutting through barriers and slow systems
• You use psychologically informed and trauma-informed approaches in a real, practical way
• You stay calm, organised and focused when things get busy, keeping the service moving

About us:

We’re London’s leading homelessness charity – and we get things done.

In a city where hundreds are forced into homelessness every day, our work has never been more needed or more challenging. And we’re not shying away. We’re rolling up our sleeves to make change and helping over 10,000 Londoners every year. We prevent homelessness, provide safe places to live and give people the opportunity to rebuild their lives and transform their futures. And we never give up. 

We’re here for Londoners wherever they are on their journey. We start with trust, building relationships that help people feel safe, supported, and ready to move forward. Every day, we put people first in everything we do, challenging injustice and barriers that keep people from the safety, stability and opportunity they deserve. We stand alongside people as they rebuild and shape a future that feels their own. 

Joining Single Homeless Project means joining a team that’s bold, compassionate and determined to do better for the people we support and for each other. You’ll work alongside colleagues with lived experience, in a space that’s trans-inclusive, disability-friendly, and actively striving to be anti-oppressive and equitable. 

We’re not perfect, but we’re real. We listen. We learn. And we push forward, together. Because this isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to lead with empathy, spark change, and help build a London where no one is left behind.

Important info:

Closing date: Sunday 17th May at midnight

Interview date: Thursday 28th and Friday 29th May at SHP Head Office in Kings Cross

Please note shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a short psychometric test before being confirmed for interview. 

This post will require an Enhanced DBS check to be processed (by SHP) for the successful applicant.

Please note applications are reviewed for AI use in application questions. Applications with insufficient/without current right to work or requiring sponsorship will not be accepted for this role. 

Accountable to: CEO

Place of work: The Southmead Project, BS10 6AS

Hours: 4 days per week (30 hours) between 9.00am and 5.00pm

Interview date: Friday 29th May

Salary: £48,000 p/a pro rata 

Contract: 1 year fixed term (covering a maternity leave position)

The Southmead Project is an equal opportunities employer providing free specialist counselling and support for survivors of abuse across Bristol and surrounding areas. Our recruitment is done in line with safer recruitment practices. We welcome people of any race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, class, ability, language, religion and cultural background. We value the differences between people and affirm each person as an individual.

We value our team very highly and pride ourselves on being a supportive employer. We provide the following benefits to encourage a supported, well-rounded and enriched practice:

• Paid supervision for 1.5 hours per month, with an external supervisor of that person’s choice

• Line management for 1 hour per month

• Training budget of £500 per year to spend on relevant training of that person’s choice

• Employer pension contribution of 5%

• Generous annual leave allowance and paid sick leave

• Cycle to work scheme

• Optional private counselling for up to 12 sessions per year with an external counsellor of that person’s choice

Therapeutic Management

• To manage and support a staff team, including the Head of Active Recovery, a Counselling Lead, Nexus Counselling Manager, a Family Support Group Facilitator, and administrators.

• To oversee all of the charity’s therapeutic services and ensure that efficient and high-quality services are delivered.

• To be the charity’s Designated Safeguarding Lead to respond effectively and efficiently to safeguarding concerns.

• To ensure staff are sufficiently trained in adult and child safeguarding and that training records are kept up-to-date.

• To oversee the charity’s pre-trial therapy processes and be a point of contact for the police.

• To develop and improve the charity’s therapeutic services, including any expansion of the services.

• To manage therapeutic recruitment, inductions and training.

• To hold monthly staff meetings and service team meetings when needed.

• To oversee the individual and group supervision arrangements and reporting for all staff. 

• To manage and have overall responsibility for the ongoing use of an online Case Management System, ensuring that data is inputted accurately for reporting purposes.

• To support the charity’s quality assurance and development of its services through monitoring  and responding to client feedback and outcomes data.

• To develop the charity’s survivor voice work and ensure that the charity’s services are informed by survivors and their lived experience. 

• To manage any complaints raised by clients. 

Leadership

• To work collaboratively as part of a Leadership Team to make decisions and resolve issues affecting the day-to-day running of the charity and management of its staff team.

• To strategically plan and develop the therapeutic services of the charity.

• To develop relationships with partner agencies and professionals to raise awareness of our therapeutic services and strengthen our work.

• To build and maintain a positive working relationship with the Board of Trustees.

• To attend and contribute to trustee meetings and trustee working group meetings, reporting on the therapeutic services and any clinical matters arising. 

• To assist in promoting the charity by attending all relevant meetings directly connected with your work.

• To undertake any other duties appropriate to the needs of the charity.

Client Work

• To provide one-to-one counselling for survivors of abuse of all genders, both online / by phone and face-to-face, with a caseload of approximately 4 clients. 

• To maintain confidential and accurate counselling notes of all sessions.

• To attend monthly one-to-one clinical supervision with a supervisor approved by the Southmead Project. (Supervision is a requirement of this charity as members of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy).

• To attend monthly one-to-one line management meetings.

• To work to the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy ethical guidelines.

• To work within the framework, spirit and ethos of the Southmead Project’s Equal Opportunities Policy, and actively engage in promoting the policy within the charity and in all dealings with clients and other agencies.

• All members of staff, paid and unpaid, are required to undergo the enhanced level of Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Person Specification

ESSENTIAL:

• Diploma in Counselling (British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) accredited course or equivalent); and to have BACP accreditation or be working towards BACP accreditation or equivalent.

• To be a registered member of BACP, UKCP, NCS or equivalent professional body, with over 5 years of supervised counselling experience.

• Significant experience of providing one-to-one counselling for survivors of abuse and carrying out initial assessments and risk assessments.

• Significant knowledge and understanding of the issues affecting this client group and the impact of trauma.

• Significant line management and appraisal experience with the ability to effectively co-ordinate a team. 

• The ability to support staff to foster a positive working environment and deliver a high quality of service.

• Experience of recruiting staff, including inductions and training.

• Experience of managing safeguarding concerns and supporting others to act in accordance with safeguarding policies and in the best interests of the client or those at risk. 

• The ability to work with clients online or by phone.

• Experience of working collaboratively as part of a leadership team and ability to contribute to an organisation’s future development.

• Experience of developing and maintaining working relationships with partner agencies and professionals. 

• Excellent organisational and planning skills.

• Excellent IT skills and experience of using Microsoft Word and Excel, with the ability to confidently use and support others with an online Case Management System. 

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

• A commitment to identifying ongoing personal development and training needs and to take appropriate action to ensure these needs are met.

• The ability to keep accurate and confidential records of client work.

• Experience of being a client in a formal counselling relationship.

• Experience of and commitment to working with diversity.

• To have the capacity to work flexibly within a small professional team.

• The ability to manage own time and work load effectively.

• The ability to chair meetings

DESIRABLE:

• Training in trauma processing approaches, such as EMDR, Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET),  brainspotting, trauma-focused CBT, and Rewind Technique.

• Experience of working within a community-based organisation.

• Experience of working with people that have used drugs or alcohol to cope with trauma.

• Experience of running therapeutic groups.

• Experience of delivering training. 

We are looking for a proactive and compassionate Co-production Coordinator to lead on promoting and developing the co-production element of the London DA Service, Safe Horizons Partnership. This role is full-time until March 2028. The role is based at the Victim Support office in Old Street with some home working.

What we offer

At Victim Support, we are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent. Our competitive rewards and benefits package includes:

• Flexible Working Options: Including hybrid working.
• Generous Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
• Birthday Leave: An extra day off for your birthday.
• Pension Plan: 5% employer contribution.
• Enhanced Allowances: Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
• Exclusive Discounts: High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
• Financial Wellbeing: Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary-deducted finance.
• Wellbeing Support: Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
• Inclusive Networks: Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
• Sustainable Travel: Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
• Career Development: Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career progression.

About You:

As the Co-production Co-ordinator you will lead on promoting and developing the co-production element of the London Service. You will manage and chair the Experts by Experience Panel which is the forum through which current and past service users can influence the development of the London DA Service (Safe Horizons London Partnership).

The Safe Horizons London Partnership supports victims and survivors of domestic abuse to cope and recover from the impact crime has had on them, as well as supporting their journey through the criminal justice process. The service delivery model has been shaped by the views of service users and you will have an important role in growing their input and influence. You will recruit co-production champions from the staff team and support them to promote the benefits of co-production and recruit more service users into the co-production function.

Safeguarding and wellbeing are important to us and you will ensure service users are supported during their membership of the Experts by Experience Panel. As a lead in this area, you will work with the management team, sharing the feedback you have obtained and helping it feed into policies and procedures. You will also support national co-production initiatives such as the Victim Voice app. You may also support the recruitment of service users to panels hosted by our partners including the Mayor's Office of Policing and Crime and the Metropolitan Police. Good communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as well as some knowledge of the impact of crime.

About Us:

Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.

How to apply:

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date. If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.

The Counsellor will join Womankind’s staff team based in central Bristol, providing time limited relationally based counselling using psychodynamic/integrative approaches to women with mental health needs, with a particular focus on young women aged 16–18 affected by domestic abuse and/or sexual violence. She will ensure that counselling is accessible, inclusive, safe and empowering, strengthening young women’s safety, resilience and emotional wellbeing while contributing to Womankind’s aim of improving mental health outcomes for young women across Bristol and the surrounding areas. Supported by the Clinical Lead and working alongside the wider clinical and support teams, the Counsellor will deliver consistent, ethical, trauma-informed counselling. We are committed to better representing the women we support and therefore are particularly keen to invite applications from global majority groups, or those considered to be from marginalised communities. We also encourage applications from people with lived experience of mental health issues, and/or domestic abuse, sexual abuse and violence.

The post/role is only open to female applicants and is exempt under Schedule 9 Part 1 Equalities Act 2010. Sec.25(2)(d) of the Race Relations Act 1997 apply.

You will provide appropriate emotional and practical 1-to-1 support to (those who identify as) women and non-binary people involved in sex work and those who are sexually exploited, who often experience stigma and face barriers to accessing services. This role will specifically focus on those who are experiencing DV, support will include addressing housing needs. You will be enabling people to access support and navigate services, You will be working in partnership with other agencies and making appropriate referrals for people to access other services to support their wider needs. You will contribute to wider team responsibilities including outreach, drop in and duty.

We are recruiting for a Housing IGVA to join our team in Barking & Dagenham; the scope on this job involves….

Job Title: Housing IGVA

Location: Barking & Dagenham
Salary: £29,701.36 per annum
Contract type: Full-time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5

We are seeking a committed and compassionate Housing Independent Gender Violence Advocate (IGVA) to join our service in Barking and Dagenham, supporting women who have experienced domestic abuse. This is a vital role that works in close partnership with the Housing Department, with the post‑holder co‑located three days per week in person to strengthen joint working and improve outcomes for survivors.

The Housing IGVA will provide specialist support and advocacy, working alongside housing colleagues to ensure survivors’ safety, needs, and experiences are fully understood and responded to. The role involves advocating on behalf of clients, conducting risk assessments, developing safety plans, and making appropriate referrals to internal and external support services. The post‑holder will also provide professional guidance and insight to housing staff to enhance trauma‑informed practice.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong communication and partnership‑working skills, the ability to maintain professional boundaries, and a clear commitment to empowering women on their recovery journey. Relevant lived experience and/or professional experience supporting survivors of domestic abuse will be highly valued, alongside empathy, resilience, and a solutions‑focused approach.

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference at a critical point in survivors’ lives, while also developing specialist knowledge of housing systems and safeguarding practice.

Closing date: 9.00am on 13 May 2026

Interview date: 27 May 2026

Benefits

Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack

Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!

We are looking for an Interventions and Women’s Centre Coordinator to work with our Minerva team on the delivery of a service across the Thames Valley region.

Salary: £23,000 - £24,000 pro-rata

Location: Caversham and Oxford, and you must hold a full UK driver's license and be able to commute around the Thames Valley region (Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire)

Hours: 14 Hours per week

Contract: Until March 31st 2027

This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.  

Please note: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check. This role is also subject to Police Vetting.

About us

Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community.

We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies.

Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

The project:

We provide one-to-one advocacy and specialist work including workshops and group activities delivered by Advance in partnership with voluntary organisations. This role plays a critical part in coordinating the group offering for women accessing our services, as well as providing administration support across the region.

In short you will:

• Be the first point of contact for clients coming to the Women’s Centre; offering a warm welcome and trauma informed approach

• Ensure the client waiting area is kept tidy with up-to-date information/leaflets and supplies of refreshments

• Facilitate direct group delivery and events at the Women’s Centre and regional venues

• Hold responsibility for the Minerva telephone number and email account in your region

• Assist in researching additional resources and events for service users; both within the Centre and across the region

• Contribute to creating and lead on updating the local Services Directory with details of local organisations, key contacts and details of services on offer, including eligibility criteria

• Assist the Service Manager in managing the smooth running of the Women’s Centre in your region, including managing the group workshops timetable, arranging meetings and booking external venues for client groups or training events

• Manage administration for the Hampshire Minerva team

• Assist the Service Manager with the quality assurance and collation of data and information as required, including for funder reports.

How to apply:

Please apply with an up to date copy of your CV and a cover letter.

• Closing date: 10th May 2026

• Interviews will take place on a rolling basis

*Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate.

What we can offer you - Employee Benefits:

• An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that's nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!)

• Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home

• Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more

• Pension scheme

• Enhanced maternity/adoption provision

• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme

• Employee eye-care scheme

• Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles

• Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation

• Organisation wide away days

• Thorough induction and training

• Career development pathways

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Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.

Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.

Safeguarding

Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.

Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!

We are looking for a Head of Evidence and Insights for a maternity cover contract. This is a great opportunity for someone looking for a move into the women’s sector or someone who has great practical and leadership experience as a manager who is ready to step up into a strategic, senior role.

Salary: £52,000 - £62,000 (paid on a pro-rata basis)

Location: Hammersmith with up to 3 days home working per week

Hours: 35 Hours per week

Contract: Start at the beginning of July for a fixed term contract for 9 months with a possibility of extension

This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Please note: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory DBS check. This role is also subject to Prison vetting.

About us

Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community.

We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies.

Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

About the role:

This role is responsible for leading our Evidence and Insights team to ensure that we measure the effectiveness and impact of our services and communicate this to internal and external stakeholders in engaging ways. You will deliver on Advance’s strategic priorities with regards to service contracts, data, monitoring and evaluation, as well as organisational evidence to build strategy, policies and practices that focus on the organisation’s development, effectiveness and efficiencies. Working strategically with the team you will turn the data collected by Advance into actionable insights, so that we can better support the women accessing our services.

About You:

You are an experienced leader, who can set strategic direction and enable others to use evidence and learning to full effect across the organisation. You are aware of the wider ‘evidence gaps’ in the women’s sector and lead on the development and external dissemination of Advance’s impact data in order to influence policy and practice. You have the gravitas, credibility and influence to engage and galvanise your colleagues and wider sector peers and stakeholders in new ways of working, innovative data methodology and critical thinking based on evidence and insights.

How to apply:

Please submit your up to date CV along with a covering letter via our applicant tracking system

• Closing Date for Applications: 6th May 2026

• Interviews are taking place on a rolling basis

*Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate.

Join our team and enjoy a range of exciting benefits designed to support your growth and wellbeing!

• A 35-hour working week

• An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that's nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!)

• Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home

• Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more

• Pension scheme

• Enhanced maternity/adoption provision

• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme

• Employee eye-care scheme

• Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles

• Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation

• Organisation wide away days

• One-week paid carers’ s leave

• Career development pathways

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Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.

Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.

Safeguarding

Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.

About the role:

At Single Homeless Project, we believe everyone deserves access to the care they need to live well - and that’s where you come in. We’re offering an exciting new opportunity to shape how health support is delivered within our innovative Camden Housing First service. As Health Lead, you won’t just be part of a team - you’ll be pioneering a vital, human-centred approach to health within homelessness services. It’s a chance to make a deep and lasting impact, not only on individual lives but on how we work with health systems across the borough. 

This is a role for someone who wants to grow a meaningful career while helping others to rebuild their lives. You'll work directly with people who are often overlooked by traditional systems, taking the time to build trust, understand their needs and walk alongside them on their journey to better health. From completing health assessments and designing personal health support plans, to leading multidisciplinary meetings and opening doors to essential services - you'll be the link between individuals and the support they deserve. Your insight will also help us map local services, influence partnerships and drive forward more inclusive healthcare approaches. 

You’ll be part of a psychologically informed environment, where trauma-informed care and understanding complex needs are part of everyday practice. At SHP, we’re committed to developing our people - this role offers a strong foundation for a career with real purpose, backed by expert training, team support and opportunities to grow with us. 

About you:

• You bring knowledge (or a real willingness to learn) about common health issues and the barriers to care faced by people experiencing homelessness
• You know how to build trust and connect with clients who may feel wary of services, finding ways to engage that genuinely work for them
• You understand local health systems and services, and can navigate them confidently to open up the right support for clients
• You bring experience or awareness of working with survivors of domestic abuse, with a sensitive, informed and person-centred approach
• You’re confident working independently and as part of a team, with strong skills in support planning, safeguarding, record keeping, data and reporting, and advocating for clients facing multiple disadvantage

About us:

We’re London’s leading homelessness charity – and we get things done.

In a city where hundreds are forced into homelessness every day, our work has never been more needed or more challenging. And we’re not shying away. We’re rolling up our sleeves to make change and helping over 10,000 Londoners every year. We prevent homelessness, provide safe places to live and give people the opportunity to rebuild their lives and transform their futures. And we never give up. 

We’re here for Londoners wherever they are on their journey. We start with trust, building relationships that help people feel safe, supported, and ready to move forward. Every day, we put people first in everything we do, challenging injustice and barriers that keep people from the safety, stability and opportunity they deserve. We stand alongside people as they rebuild and shape a future that feels their own. 

Joining Single Homeless Project means joining a team that’s bold, compassionate and determined to do better for the people we support and for each other. You’ll work alongside colleagues with lived experience, in a space that’s trans-inclusive, disability-friendly, and actively striving to be anti-oppressive and equitable. 

We’re not perfect, but we’re real. We listen. We learn. And we push forward, together. Because this isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to lead with empathy, spark change, and help build a London where no one is left behind.

Important info:

Applications will be reviewed and suitable candidates invited to interview as they are received. We reserve the right to close the advert as soon as a suitable candidate is identified, therefore please submit your application as soon as possible to be considered. 

Please note first stage interviews will be held online via Microsoft Teams, suitable candidates will be invited to a second stage interview in Kings Cross.

This post will require an Enhanced DBS check to be processed (by SHP) for the successful applicant.

Please note applications are reviewed for AI use in application questions. Applications with insufficient right to work or requiring sponsorship will not be accepted for this role. 

We are looking for a new Independent Sexual Violence Advisor to join our team in providing advocacy and support to survivors of rape/sexual violence and sexual abuse.The ISVA will be based in our central Reading office, with the option of hybrid working. ISVAs will need to travel within Thames Valley to meet clients as required.

Main Purpose of the Role:

To provide advocacy and support to survivors of sexual violence.  The ISVA will support adults who have reported or are wishing to report this crime navigate the criminal justice system. The ISVA will work closely with the Police Service, Sexual Assault Referral Centre, CPS, and other relevant organisations. 

ISVA Main Duties

· Provide advice, guidance and information to adults who have experienced rape and sexual abuse.

· Support service users that have been referred to Trust House Reading.

· Support clients in making informed choices about their future options.

· Explain relevant criminal, legal and civil remedies and housing options to clients as required.

· Assess the risk and support needs of clients.

· Develop individual support plans to address risks /support needs of clients.

· Ensure that clients are aware of the services to which they are entitled and advocate for them to help them access services.

· Understand the legal framework relating to the protection of children and vulnerable adults including the policy and procedures in relation to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

· Support ISVA clients through the criminal justice system, explaining the procedures and their role and rights within that system, referring to Victim Support or the Witness Care Service as appropriate.

· Support the service user in making a witness statement and attending court.

· Keep the service user informed about case progress on behalf of the police in line with the requirements of the Service Code of Practice.

· Participate in case conferences with the police, CPS and prosecuting barrister.

· Assist clients accessing special measures.

· Liaise with the police, CPS and other service providers on behalf of the service user.

· Provide information and support in relation to Criminal Injuries Compensation.

· Help clients to develop their own support network.

· Refer on and arrange meetings with other agencies/services as necessary, for instance, sexual health services, mental health, drug and alcohol, counselling, housing etc.

· Actively and positively engage with other voluntary sector agencies, including sexual violence specialist agencies e.g. domestic violence service outreach, IDVA and refuge providers.

· Maintain and update records of all cases including initial referral, risk assessment, subsequent risk assessment, care and safety plans, and action taken.

· To understand and assess other support needs of clients, for example translation or interpretation needs and be fully aware of available resources.

· Where an assault is related to domestic violence and the client is assessed as high risk, refer on to Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) following locally agreed protocols (including working proactively with the Independent Domestic Violence Advisor Service), attend and participate in meetings and follow-up on actions agreed in MARAC.

· Contribute to the development of policies, protocols, guidelines, strategies within practice area if necessary.

· Collate areas of service gap and service inadequacy to feed back to the commissioner and the relevant strategic groups.

· Note and feed back to the commissioner and the relevant strategic groups or other appropriate body any consistent difficulties clients are having accessing services.

ISVA Person Specification

Essential:

· Educated to A-level standard.

· Experience of working with vulnerable clients.

· Knowledge of the impact of rape/sexual violence and sexual abuse on service.

· Knowledge of the criminal justice system for survivors of rape and sexual abuse.

· Understanding of the principles of risk assessment and safety planning.

· Pro-active.

· Empathic, with a non-judgmental approach.

· A good listener.

· Strong crisis management skills.

· Understanding of the process of seeking help and barriers to seeking help.

· Good written and verbal communication skills.

· Ability to work on own without close supervision.

· Ability to manage caseload and work priorities.

· Ability to share sensitive information, adhering to protocols.

· Understanding of child protection and safeguarding issues and legal responsibilities.

· Willingness to undertake regular training.

· Willingness and ability to work with clients of all genders.

· Commitment to continued professional development.

· Knowledge of and commitment to diversity issues.

· Ability to work safely and within boundaries.

· Completed accredited ISVA training course (or equivalent) or willingness to complete the training.

· Willingness and ability to travel across the Thames Valley when necessary.

· Computer literate: word-processing, emailing, data collection/spreadsheets.

· Ability and willingness to work in partnership and as part of a team.

Desirable:

· Professional qualification in social work or related field.

· Current full driving license and own vehicle.

Interim CEO

6 Months Fixed Term Contract (Maternity Cover)

This post is restricted to women under schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010

Candidate Pack

Dear Candidate,

Thank you for your interest in the role of Interim CEO for Kent Sexual Assault & Abuse Service (KSAAS). This is a 6-month fixed term post to cover maternity leave.

KSAAS (formerly East Kent Rape Crisis Centre) has offered sexual violence services in East Kent since 1993 and we offer ongoing practical support and therapeutic services for survivors who have experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives of in Kent & Medway .  KSAAS holds UKAS accreditation through The Survivors Trust and is Professionally Approved By Rape Crisis England & Wales, demonstrating the consistent, high-quality services that we offer to our survivors.

KSAAS operates Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA) services and joint ISVA and Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVA) services for those experiencing sexual violence alongside domestic abuse.  We also offer trauma focused therapeutic counselling services for children, adolescents and adults and these services are accessible through various hubs across Kent & Medway. Peer support groups and family advocacy services are available to support families when there has been an occurrence of sexual abuse experienced by one or more family members and our services are supported and informed by the ‘Kick Back’ group,  who are survivors of sexual violence who offer help, support and advice to other survivors and inform our service development.  We also have a range of volunteers who support us with various aspects of the service provision. 

In addition to providing support and therapeutic services, a key function of the organisation is to robustly challenge the societal values, beliefs and behaviour which contribute to sexual violence, through proactive projects that aim to raise awareness, delivery of information sessions in educational institutions, delivery of NOCN accredited Rape and Sexual Abuse training, ongoing activism, challenging attitudes we encounter as part of our work with survivors, focused campaigns and participation in research focused on sexual violence.

In the last year, we worked with > 6000 survivors in our face-to-face services and specialist sexual violence Helpline service and in April 2026 we extended our provision and scope and have been commissioned to be the main provider of ISVA and Therapeutic Support services across Kent & Medway, funded by the Police & Crime Commissioner.

We are looking for an inspiring, motivated and innovative woman who is driven by feminist values to be the figurehead of our organisation, providing empowering leadership to the team, strategic oversight of the organisation and to ensure an outstanding service for all survivors of sexual violence. Note that this post is restricted to women under Schedule 9, Part 1, of the Equality Act 2010.

Shauna McCusker

Chair of Trustees

Kent Sexual Assault & Abuse Service

Role Details

Salary:

£50,000 (Pro Rata), 0.8 FTE Contract

Base:

Canterbury (Travel to Other Sites Will Be Required)

Contract:

0.8 FTE (30 Hours Per Week): 6 Months Fixed Term Contract On Occasion This Will Include Out Of Hours Meetings

Benefits:

3% Pension Contribution

Employee Discounts Scheme

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)

Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible Working Negotiable

Requirements:

Right to work in the UK

An enhanced DBS Check (Carried out through KSAAS) Full UK Driving Licence & Use of Own Car

Responsible To: Chair of Trustees

Main Purpose of The Role

The CEO is the figurehead of KSAAS and has overall responsibility for the management and performance of the service and strategic development and growth of KSAAS in collaboration with the core team, key stakeholders, Board of Trustees and survivors.  The overarching duties and responsibilities of the CEO is responsible for the following:

• Strategic feminist leadership of the organisation & staff

• Management of human resources and physical estate

• Direct and manage fundraising & finances

• Act as the primary public representative locally, regionally and nationally.

• Advocate for survivors of sexual assault or abuse and challenge societal attitudes that perpetuate sexual violence

• Line management of management team

• Working collaboratively with the Board of Trustees

At KSAAS, the CEO is supported by the ISVA Service Lead, the Therapeutic Service Lead, the Operations Manager, the Finance Manager and Board of Trustees.

About KSAAS

Kent Sexual Assault & Abuse Service is a feminist organisation that firmly believes that sexual violence against women and girls arises from the patriarchal social structure in our society.  We believe this social structure causes and propagates gender inequality and that sexual violence is one tool that is used to control women and girls as part of this social dynamic.  We recognise the sexual violence affects people of all genders and provides a safe space for all survivors of sexual violence across Kent & Medway, where they can access the high-quality trauma-informed specialist practical and therapeutic support they need to recover from the impact of sexual violence and rebuild their lives.

Our Vision

KSAAS’s vision is to create a community where everyone is free from all forms of sexual violence and to achieve this within a feminist, equalities and human rights framework. We aim to provide help, hope and healing to all those impacted by sexual violence and cultivate a safe, non-violent community. 

Our Mission

It is our mission to:

• Respond to and promote the needs of those who have suffered sexual violence through the empowerment feminist model of work

• Reduce the impact of sexual violence by supporting, educating, informing and advocating for all survivors

• Challenge oppression in all forms

• Challenge societal attitudes that condone and collude with sexual violence

Job Title: Chief Executive Officer Responsible To: Board of Trustees

Main Responsibilities of Post:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop an in-depth understanding of the issues faced by women and girls who are subjected violence and the staff who support them within the service

• Develop an in-depth understanding of local, regional and national agendas regarding sexual violence against women and girls within the service

• Review the aims, vision and mission of the organisation in collaboration with our survivors, staff, board of trustees, business partners & umbrella organisations

• Work collaboratively with the board of trustees, business partners, staff and service users to develop evidence based strategic priorities for the service and a rigorous business plan that addresses key priorities

• Lead, motivate and encourage the KSAAS staff team to provide excellent services in support of the strategic plan

• Be the leading voice of KSAAS locally, regionally and nationally, ensuring that KSAAS and its mission, campaigns, and services are consistently presented in a strong, positive image for the benefit of survivors of sexual assault and abuse.

• Consult widely and draw on expertise within the organisation and externally to KSAAS for the visioning of evidence based and innovative sexual violence services for children, young people and adults across Kent & Medway

Finance and Funding

• Manage the KSAAS fundraising strategy in collaboration with the management team and board of trustees

• Oversee fundraisers to identify, diversify and secure fundraising opportunities to ensure the financial health of the organisation

• Sit on the finance committee to ensure effective financial management and reporting

• Manage relationships with key funders and ensure that all contractual obligations to funders are met

• Provide effective oversight and reporting of the finances and budgets to the board of trustees and funders and ensure the financial sustainability of theorganisation

Partnership and Communication

• Represent the voices of survivors of sexual violence at key strategic meetings

• Ensure effective communication of information from KSAAS to all key internal and external partners

• Develop and broker regional and local partnerships to ensure KSAAS pushes boundaries, maintains excellent working partnerships and ultimately improves services for victims of sexual violence and abuse in Kent

• Promote public awareness about sexual violence through social media and deliver talks and presentations and broadcasts as necessary.

• Keep up to date and informed about local, regional and national agendas, ensuring that KSAAS can respond to trends effectively as they emerge.

• Maintain a high quality collaborative working partnership with Rape Crisis England and Wales and work with other rape crisis centres as necessary.

• To be an effective public speaker with the ability to influence.

Management, Resources and Policy

• Empower staff within the organisation through proactive and inspiring line management processes, catering for diversity through a range of different approaches.

• Develop the leadership team within KSAAS and work collaboratively with them to meet the vision and mission of the service.

• Have overall responsibility for the fair recruitment, management and development of employees and volunteers and the effective management of external contractors and service providers.

• Be the key point of contact for our Human Resources Provider and ensure that all policies and procedures are up to date and appropriately communicated and implemented throughout KSAAS.

• Ensure effective monitoring and evaluation systems are in place that reflect best practice across all aspects of the organisation’s operation enabling review and development ofservices.

Legality and Governance

• Accountable for organisational compliance with general legal obligations, Charity Commission regulations,  membership obligations & safeguarding responsibilities.

• Responsible for keeping the Board of Trustees up to date with accurate information to enable them to fulfil their roles.

• Provision of appropriate and timely reports to the Board ofTrustees.

• Responsible for ensuring the health and safety of all staff, volunteers and service users within KSAAS.

• Engage with own line management, supervision, training, personal development & wellbeing, using opportunities provided by KSAAS to do so.

• To carry out any further work that is reasonably in line with thisposition.

To be eligible for this role, you need to evidence the following knowledge, skills and experience, at least in part:

• A successful track record of leadership within an organisation of comparable complexity or across a significant area of work, including strategic, financial and operational planning.

• Experience of successful financial management of a complex budget and oversight of income generation from a variety of sources.

• A track record of successfully managing and leading people who work across a range of sites and an understanding of the challenges faced by staff working with sexual violence survivors

• Ability to think innovatively, take measured risks and manage an organisation and staff through period of significant change

• Experience of developing & maintaining effective networks with local government, statutory and other voluntary organisations.

• Experience of successful partnership working, such as developing and maintaining relationships with a range of organisations and funders.

• Experience at senior level of successful financial management, including responsibility for significant complex budgets.

• Experience of working with a variety of media to successfully promote an organisation or issue.

• An understanding of the gendered nature of sexual violence and abuse, its causes and consequences and commitment to challenging injustice, violence and abuse, stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination and bias in a non-confrontational way, aligned to the values of the organisation.

• Experience of managing support services and a clear understanding of trauma and vicarious trauma and appropriate wellbeing strategies.

• Sound knowledge of the charitable sector and working collaboratively with a Board of Trustees

• An understanding of trauma informed care / service provision and the challenges associated with such services

• Excellent communication skills and experience of communicating complex information in a range of ways to a range of audiences

• Excellent organisational skills and an ability to prioritise and manage competing demands

• Commitment to self-development, self-reflection and personal wellbeing

• Able to travel & work between sites across Kent when needed

• Formal qualifications, such as university level qualifications, professional qualifications, therapeutic qualifications and / or leadership / management / coaching qualifications would be an advantage.

• Able to work independently, in close teams and across services

• Demonstrates resilience, courage and bravery when facing challenges • Demonstrates excellent communication skills and public presentation skills

• Excellent organisational and time management skills.

How To Apply

KSAAS values diversity and welcomes applications from people from all sections of the community, especially from minoritised groups. To apply for this role, please email a detailed CV along with a supporting statement to the Chair of Trustees Shauna McCusker. The deadline for applications is midnight on Sunday 3rd May 2026. The supporting statement should demonstrate how you meet the candidate profile and should be no more the 4 A4 pages. All applications will be acknowledged and responded to by 2pm on Mon 4th May 2026 and interviews will take place on Wednesday 6th May 2026 in person in Canterbury (reasonable adjustments can be made on request). If you have any questions or require support with any part of the process, please contact Shauna McCusker. We value every application, thank you for your time, effort and interest. Good luck.

Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!

We are looking for a Loss & Bereavement Specialist Worker

Salary: £27,000- £32,000 pro rata

Location: Advance Headoffice Hammersmith & Women’s centres across London, with co- location at HMP Bronzefield

Hours: 21 hours per week

Contract: Fixed Term – March 2027

This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Please note: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check. This role is also subject to Police Vetting.

About us

Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community.

We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies.

Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

About the role:

This is an ideal post for someone with experience and interest in bereavement work, looking to join a forward thinking, new service. This is also a great chance to be working alongside the Healthcare & Education Department within HMP Bronzefield and be part of a prison services team in Advance.

Using a trauma informed approached, the Loss & Bereavement Specialist will conduct a person-centred assessment to understand the extent of the client’s emotional needs and the impact of loss due to imprisonment or contact with the criminal justice system whilst also identifying practical and specialist needs. They will work with women to develop a support plan, ensuring they are equipped with information and knowledge about how to navigate possible changes in circumstances related to her children’s care and offer crisis intervention and support during acute phases of loss/bereavement.

The Loss & Bereavement Specialist Worker will liaise with the Prison Healthcare team, OMU, visits team and the Family Support Officer to facilitate interactions between women and their children/family members, particularly considering support is in place after visits and that the women’s emotional needs are met in custody and community via our Women’s centres.

The Specialist Worker will create a link between prison and the community, helping women to navigate support services and to positively re-integrate into their community upon release. The role will combine a casework- based approach, along with a signposting and advice service for the women. They will be based in the community and will provide a drop-in service in HMP Bronzefield to support women who are close to release.

A car may be desirable for this role, though not essential.

About You:

To be successful as the Loss & Bereavement Specialist Worker you will need the below experience and skills:

Experience of working with bereaved individuals and providing grief counselling including knowledge of various therapeutic modalities relevant to grief counselling

Comprehensive understanding of the grieving process and experience of working with bereaved and loss as well as knowledge of traumatic and complex grief/loss.

An understanding of violence against women and girls and its links to women in the criminal justice system.

Proven ability and experience as a caseworker delivering trauma responsive interventions which support resettlement and rehabilitation of vulnerable people in the criminal justice system whether in the community or in prisons

Knowledge and understanding of the requirements of managing a caseload including maintaining and updating records, remaining focused on action plan goals, and keeping to deadlines

How to apply:

Please submit your up-to-date CV with a supporting statement. Please note that only applications made via the job advert on the Advance careers page, and those that include a cover letter will be considered.

Closing date for applications: 9th May 2026
Interviews are taking place on a rolling basis

*Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate.

What we can offer you - Employee Benefits:

• An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that's nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!)

• Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home

• Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more

• Pension scheme

• Enhanced maternity/adoption provision

• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme

• Employee eye-care scheme

• Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles

• Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation

• Organisation wide away days

• Thorough induction and training

• Career development pathways

**************************************************************

Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.

Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.

Safeguarding

Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.

Reports toDirector of External Relations

Hours37.5 hours per week 

Salary£56,959.05 - £63,886.54

ContractFixed Term Contract - 12 Months

LocationRemote (with occasional travel across UK) 

BenefitsA generous package including 25 days holiday per year plus public holidays, employee pension scheme with 4% employer contribution, Cycle2Work scheme, 365 days a year Employee Assistance Programme 

About SafeLives

We are SafeLives, the UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for everyone, for good.

We work with organisations across the UK to transform the response to domestic abuse. We want what you would want for your best friend. We listen to survivors, putting their voices at the heart of our thinking. We look at the whole picture for each individual and family to get the right help at the right time to make families everywhere safe and well. And we challenge perpetrators to change, asking ‘why doesn’t he stop?’ rather than ‘why doesn’t she leave?’ This applies whatever the gender of the victim or perpetrator and whatever the nature of their relationship.

Last year alone, we delivered more than 700 sessions to over 15,000 learners across the UK in policing, health, housing, justice, education and the specialist sector. And we have reached 90,000 adult and 100,000 child survivors through programmes designed and delivered with partners.

In the last 9 years, close to 7,000 perpetrators have been challenged and supported to change through flagship interventions developed by our Drive Partnership and the programme continues to expand year on year.

Together we can end domestic abuse. Forever. For everyone.

Description

You will provide strong and steady leadership for SafeLives’ communications, marketing and public affairs work over the next year, communicating our Whole Picture Strategy, finding what works and helping it happen to end domestic abuse for everyone for good.

You will shape and deliver strategic communications and influencing work to reach decision-makers, strengthen public trust, and support our mission to drive real change in the UK’s domestic abuse response.

You will be able bring to together robust data, the voice of survivors, and the view of practice experts to position SafeLives at the centre of the conversation with professionals, key policy and decision makers and influencers as a credible and trusted voice.

You’ll lead a cross-functional team of comms, marketing and public affairs colleagues to:

• Strengthen core messaging and consistency around our Whole Picture strategy and the WP Framework, to support delivery and impact
• maintain our communications and marketing and our brand
• provide oversight of our influencing through policy and public affairs, working with senior colleagues where escalation is required
• support income generation through targeted marketing, and support for fundraising
• ensure we are sharing evidence, data and research in support of our strategy

You will connect reactive work with long-term strategic priorities, ensuring our external engagement supports our strategic priorities, policy goals, and income generation ambitions. And you will lead high-quality responses to breaking news and emerging issues, providing clear strategic advice to the Senior Leadership Team and acting as a trusted lead on reputational risk.

You will ensure SafeLives is visible, authoritative and survivor-centred in public and policy conversations, with timely responses, briefings and support, ensuring our communications and influencing are clear, consistent and drive impact.

You will work with our training, practice, and fundraising teams to drive our business development and income generation, as well as helping us to understand all our audiences and better meet their needs.

And as part of the Operational Management Team (OMT), you’ll work closely with colleagues to ensure an inclusive and supportive organisational culture, role modelling our values.

Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required.

Responsibilities

1. Leadership

·Provide calm, structured and values-led leadership across the Comms, Marketing and Public Affairs team.

·Ensure reliable systems, processes and workflows for communications, marketing and public affairs.

·Set expectations, priorities and working rhythms that bring stability and clarity to the team.

·Promote a supportive, inclusive and collaborative culture with clear communication channels.

2. Core Narrative, Messaging and Evidence Sharing

·Lead the development of SafeLives’ core messages, ensuring they are used consistently across all teams, and the development of our influencing asks.

·Translate SafeLives’ research, data and evidence into accessible, impactful content for external audiences, including practitioners, policy and decision makers.

·Ensure all outputs are survivor‑centred, values‑aligned and evidence‑led

·Develop our brand to reflect our approach to equity, equality, diversity and inclusion and in line with our values - human, rigorous, brave and inclusive.

·Oversee production of communications, marketing and policy materials that help to amplify our Whole Picture strategy and our related priorities.

3. Communications and Media Leadership

·Lead SafeLives’ overall communications strategy and activity.

·Oversee media relations, with strong focus on clear messaging and reputational resilience.

·Implement rapid-response and crisis‑comms protocols with clear escalation to Directors.

·Lead the development and management of our website, digital channels and content strategy.

·Ensure SafeLives is timely, authoritative and survivor‑centred in its external interventions.

4. Marketing and Audience Engagement

·Lead marketing strategy to support:

·Statutory and voluntary income generation

·Training uptake

·Consultancy and practice development

·Fundraising and supporter engagement

·Strengthen audience insight, segmentation and targeting.

·Oversee campaigns that bring SafeLives’ strategy and evidence to life and drive measurable action.

·Ensure that communication and marketing resources are used effectively to support business development.

5. Public Affairs and Policy

·Provide strategic alignment between SafeLives’ core messaging and evidence sharing and our influencing work

·Ensure public affairs activities and outputs (briefings, consultations, correspondence) are clear, accurate and consistent with SafeLives’ communications approach.

·Maintain awareness of political and policy developments relevant to SafeLives’ mission, advising Directors on risks and opportunities for influencing, working with colleagues across the organisation to develop policy.

·Senior level engagement will be led by Directors, as needed, with this role and the public affairs team leading stakeholder engagement and supporting preparation, messaging and follow‑up.

6. Planning, Governance and Performance

·Lead forward planning for all communications, marketing and public affairs activity.

·Set realistic, measurable KPIs that support the delivery of our comms and influencing strategy and our income generation.

·Embed continuous improvement processes and ensure compliance with GDPR and data protection.

·Oversee budgets for communications, marketing and public affairs, ensuring value for money and resource prioritisation.

7. Authentic Voice

·Ensure that the voices, experiences and priorities of survivors remain at the heart of all external communications.

·Support colleagues and Pioneers who use lived experience in SafeLives’ work in a trauma‑informed and respectful way.

Person Specification

Experience

·Strategic communications, including influencing, brand/profile raising, media relations and reputation management in complex, high profile environments (E)

·Media relations, including securing high quality coverage and rapid-response experience (E)

·Developing and delivering effective communications and marketing cmapaigns, including support for fundraising and income generation (E)

·Digital communications across owned, earned and paid media (E)

·Experience using data, research and evidence to inform communications, influencing and storytelling (E)

·Understanding of public affairs or policy environments within the social sector (D/E)

·Leadership and people development, ideally across multi-disciplinary teams (E)

·Influencing professional and policy audiences through clear, impactful communications, information and guidance (E)

·Working with people affected by domestic abuse to support storytelling and influence change (D)

Skills

·Confident in providing strategic communications advice aligned with organisational strategy and policy priorities (E)

·Exceptional written, oral and influencing skills, including excellent writing and editing ability (E)

·Strong political and media awareness

·Excellent judgement under pressure, making sound, values‑led decisions at pace (E)

·Ability to turn complex and fast‑moving information into clear messaging for different audiences, particularly professional and policy maker audiences (E)

·Strong issue and risk management in sensitive public contexts (E)

·Excellent digital and social media skills (E)

·Strong analytical skills to design and deliver campaigns (E)

·Numerate, with experience preparing and managing budgets (E)

·Strong planning, prioritisation and ability to meet multiple deadlines (E)

·Able to identify problems early and propose solutions (E)

·Commitment to equity, equality, diversity and inclusion (E)

·Commitment to ending domestic abuse (E)

Competencies

Leadership, organisational and strategic awareness 

·Inspires trust and confidence in others 

·Commitment to SafeLives’ values – Human, Rigorous, Inclusive and Brave - underpins all actions and decisions 

·Remains calm, decisive and collaborative in fast-moving situations, while maintaining message clarity, survivor focus and organisational credibility

·Demonstrates an understanding of how your own role contributes to achieving SafeLives’ goals 

·Is responsive to change which helps achieve goals

·Pursues tasks/goals with energy, drive and need for completion 

Teamwork & collaboration 

·Fosters an inclusive working environment so that others can contribute effectively 

·Supports colleagues in demanding situations, recognises the importance of well-being in self and others, accepts help and support from other team members 

·Listens to the views of others and shows flexibility in working with collective decisions 

People management and decision making 

·Ability to lead and manage effective teams and create an inventive, responsible and generous team culture 

·Strong focus on quality, performance and impact 

·Coaches staff to reach their full potential 

·Makes effective decisions on a timely basis 

·Judgement and problem solving is based on identifying outcomes and victim focus 

Communications and relationship management 

·Communicate with energy and direction 

·Ability to build strong and effective relationships with key internal and external stakeholders 

·Promote and contribute to cross team working 

·Speaks and writes clearly and effectively and in a timely manner, tailoring communication to suit the audience 

·Maintains confidentiality 

Delivering quality 

·Self-starter with the ability to use initiative and judgement to identify problems and propose solutions 

·Excellent organisational skills including the ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines 

·Takes responsibility for own workload, acts on own initiative, seeks feedback from others, evaluates own performance and then acts upon it 

·Tries out new ideas and ways of working and identifies and shares learning 

Influence 

·Inspires confidence and trust– demonstrating high standards of integrity, honesty and fairness 

·Actively engages the knowledge, ideas and contributions of others 

·Uses appropriate techniques to influence others