Family independent sexual violence advisor jobs

We are looking for an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) to join our friendly team of ISVAs at RASASC Guildford. This is a full time position - 5 days/week (35 hours), but we would consider 4 days/week (28 hours) for the right person. 

We are committed to equal opportunities, and we warmly encourage applications from all sections of the community particularly applicants from diverse groups.

RASASC Guildford is a registered charity which has been providing support to survivors of rape and sexual abuse of all genders (both recent and non-recent) and young people aged over 13, from across Surrey since 1992.

We provide an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) Service. ISVAs support survivors to help them overcome the abuse they have suffered and to rebuild their lives. This service also includes supporting the survivor to seek justice through the judicial system, should the survivor wish.

We also provide one-to-one counselling, group work, youth counselling, a support line, and a family support programme.

Volunteers are an important part of the work we do. Volunteers staff our support line  and many of our qualified counsellors work on a voluntary basis with survivors of rape and sexual abuse.

ISVA

ISVAs are survivor-focused advocates, who support survivors of recent and non-recent rape and sexual abuse to enable them to access the services they need in the aftermath of the abuse they have experienced. An ISVA provides individual support and this will vary from client to client.  

This role is based at the RASASC Guildford office and will work across Surrey. The ISVA must have a full driving licence and use of a car that can be used for work purposes.

You will be part of a dedicated, experienced, and friendly team. The ISVAs meet fortnightly for peer support and work collaboratively with each other to share knowledge. Each ISVA has a lead area of responsibility in addition to your caseload supporting a range of clients.

You will be provided with monthly clinical supervision and attend monthly one-to-one meetings with the ISVA team leader.

We welcome applications from all candidates but are particularly looking for those who can demonstrate the experience listed in the essential criteria of the person specification, and especially from those who can evidence the desirable skills and/or have an existing ISVA qualification.

Job Description

• To support survivors of rape and sexual abuse.
• It is the responsibility of the ISVA to impartially advise the client on all options open to them, such as the Criminal Justice System, SARC, sexual health clinic and other local services.
• The ISVAs are expected to balance a caseload that includes survivors progressing through the criminal justice process as well as survivors that have decided not to report, or who are no longer in the criminal justice process.
• The ISVA will be based at Guildford RASASC but will be expected to travel throughout Surrey.
• The ISVA is expected to carry out other duties from time to time which are broadly consistent with those in this document, as the job description cannot cover every issue which may arise within the post. 

Key Tasks

· The ISVA will provide a survivor-focused, independent service, distinct from the role of a crisis worker or counsellor.

· Undertake risk assessment and support needs analysis with survivor and develop a support plan for the survivor.

· To provide advice and support across a wide range of issues, such as housing, health and education, that will help to support the survivor and ensure their ongoing safety in the aftermath of the abuse.

· Manage caseload and maintain necessary case files and records including monitoring information as required under funding conditions and by RASASC.

· To provide expert advice and support in relation to issues and the impact of rape and sexual abuse on this client group to other members of the ISVA team as well as the wider RASASC team. 

· The ISVA will be required to undertake accredited training specifically designed to support them in delivering this service. This training is currently delivered virtually but subject to change, possibly face to face in Rugby or Manchester over six modules. Each module is taught over two consecutive days to minimise the amount of time ISVAs are away.

· Fulfil relevant monitoring processes as requested by the ISVA Team Leader or the Fundraising Manager.

· to attend monthly one to one supervision with team leader and monthly clinical supervision 

Personal Specification

Experience:

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills
• Excellent organisational skills and a proven ability to prioritise workload, including time management skills
• Experience of working with vulnerable people
• Knowledge and understanding of child and vulnerable adult protection procedures and information sharing protocols
• Handling confidential information
• Ability to work on your own and as part of a small team in a busy and challenging environment
• Full driving licence and car that can be utilised for work purposes.

Desirable

• Case Management skills – ability to accurately maintain records
• Crisis management skills – including risk management
• Knowledge and commitment to multi-agency partnership working.
• Experience of delivering presentation/training.
• Experience of working with survivors of rape and sexual abuse and an understanding of the variety of issues affecting survivors

In return, we can offer you 25 days annual leave (pro rata for part time hours, eight public holidays (pro rata for part time hours) contributory pension scheme and reimbursement of travel expenses at 45p per mile.

Application

We are committed to equal opportunities, and we warmly encourage applications from all sections of the community particularly applicants from diverse groups.

If you are interested in joining our team or if you have any questions about the role, please do give us a call as we would love to hear from you, or please complete the application form.

This recruitment will close by Wednesday 19th November at 12 noon

Please note that early applications are encouraged as the advert could close early if a suitable candidate is appointed

How to Apply: Please download the application form from RASASC Guildford's website.

We are seeking a qualified Specialist ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor) to join our Advocacy team at Respond. The role includes providing pro-active emotional, practical and advocacy support for adults with learning disabilities and autistic people with complex or multiple needs who have experienced any form of sexual violence and are engaging, (or considering engaging) with the criminal justice system. The ISVA will work across London to provide non-judgmental, trauma-informed emotional support, working in partnership with other London sexual violence support services. 

Our ideal candidate will have experience in the ISVA role as well as a friendly and relational approach to working with clients.  You will have the ability to build trusting relationships, work in an empowering and inclusive way and support clients to heal following sexual abuse and develop coping capacity. You will be a self-motivated individual who will engage with a wider range of people who have experience sexual violence, and other barriers to justice.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an inclusive and passionate team, and you will be supported by the ISVA Service Manager in your ongoing development. Respond values and encourages working in a collaborative and compassionate way, as we support each other to address one of the most enduring injustices; of the experience of trauma to autistic people and people with learning disabilities and their families.

Background information about Respond   

Respond started in 1991 and has grown from a small London based charity to a medium sized national charity in recent years.  Our mission is to reduce the impact of trauma in the lives of people with learning disabilities and autistic people, by developing trusting relationships, through psychotherapeutically informed services.  

An important part of our work at Respond is working in a trauma-informed way. What this means for us is that we hold in mind the impact of trauma at all levels of the organisation, and all staff take part in reflective practice or team dynamics.     

We are keen to encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates including people with lived experience, who are both interested in working in partnership to provide advocacy support, as well as supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic people who have experienced trauma.    

We are committed to the furthering of human rights, equality, and positive social change through our therapeutic and advocacy work and are committed to anti-racism and other forms of anti-discriminatory practice. We recognise that we need to continually keep this as a focus in our work and as an integral part of our organisational strategy.      

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement in the person specification, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable for this role.  You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles within the organisation. 

Respond Benefits package (all per financial year)

We offer a generous and comprehensive package of flexible benefits to all of our staff.

• Hybrid working model, which means that if you’re full time you make a commitment to be working in the office at least two days a week, with the remainder working from home.  Part time hours are altered accordingly.   

• Generous paid leave benefits including 28.5 days holiday (plus Bank Holidays), with some to be taken between Christmas and New year.

• Up to 4 weeks paid sickness leave at full pay and a further 4 weeks at half pay,

• Discretionary study leave to support training relevant to your role. 

• Paid leave to employees who may need to take one day off a year when a religious festival falls on a workday.

• Up to 5 days paid time off for dependents per financial year.

• Opportunity to apply for up to 2 days (14 hours) paid leave per year to participate in volunteering activities relevant to the role.      

• Access to a workplace pension scheme, administered by NEST, with a minimum 5% employee contribution and 3% employer contribution from commencement of employment. 

• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which includes 24/7 telephone service and counselling.     

Note all of the above days per annum stated are pro rata’d for part time employees.    

If you’d like to find out more about this role, please read through the job description and our person specification. When you apply, please send a CV and address the points in the person specification in an accompanying supporting statement.   Your statement should be no more than 2 sides of A4.     

Closing date for applications: 12th September 2025

At Global Witness, we’re on a mission to shift the balance of power from the polluters profiting most from the climate emergency to the people most adversely affected.

We are an independent, global organisation of investigators and campaigners using cutting edge investigative methods. We shine a light on the financial and political systems that enable that enable corporate abuses of power that harm people and planet.

We are all determined and confident that together we can secure a better tomorrow for everyone. If you are inspired to join us as we investigate and expose abuses of power, tell the stories the world needs to hear and campaign for systemic change, we would love to hear from you.

About the role

As Director of Fundraising, you will lead the strategy to grow and diversify our income, building on our existing generous donor base and creating a compelling case for support that attracts new philanthropic partners in the UK, US and internationally.

You will also help us connect fundraising with our public outreach, building communities of support and inspiring funders and the public to stand with us.

As an active member of the senior leadership team, you foster a culture of respect and excellence that empowers our staff to be the best that they can be.

About you

We are looking for an experienced leader who combines bold strategic vision with practical drive, who can build trusted relationships across sectors and geographies, and who will empower and inspire a talented team. You will have a successful track record of delivering income growth, most likely within an international non-profit setting.

A deep understanding of human rights and/or climate issues is highly advantageous, though we also welcome exceptional fundraisers from other campaigning environments who bring a deep personal commitment to our mission.

You will be a courageous, kind and inclusive leader who thrives in collaborative environments and who knows how to build a culture of excellence, accountability and reward.

Working for Global Witness

Global Witness has a talented team of people worldwide with offices in London, Washington DC, and Brussels. We aim to be a diverse and inclusive place to work. We value new perspectives, original ideas, and different ways of working. We believe that diverse views and experiences improve the way we do our work. We do our best to make our jobs accessible to all regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, or identity.

We offer an excellent benefits package including a competitive salary and 25 days annual leave (excl. Bank Holidays). We also offer healthcare insurance, wellbeing days and policies to support you during key life events.

We are currently in the first year of a shorter working week pilot where everyone works 30 hours Monday to Thursday, with Friday off with no impact on full time salary. We operate a hybrid working model which requires at least 2 days in the office.

To download a full copy of the candidate brief and learn more about the role, please click the ‘Apply’ button, where you will be redirected to the website of our recruitment partner, Tall Roots. If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please email Mark Crowley at Tall Roots.