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RASASC Guildford - Making a difference to the lives of those affected by rape and sexual abuse
Position: Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA)
Hours: Full time
Salary: Competitive salary dependent on and reflective of experience, qualifications and training. Starting range (for 35 hours/FTE) from £28,598
Location: Based in Guildford and covering Surrey
Accountable to: ISVA Team Leader
DBS check: Yes
Closing on: Tuesday 24th February
This is a new opportunity to join our Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) team.
We are committed to equal opportunities, and we warmly encourage applications from all sections of the community particularly applicants from diverse groups.
RASASC 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.
1st Interviews will be held on Thursday 26th February, and should you be short listed you will be invited to interview on Tuesday 10th March or Thursday 12th March at our offices in Guildford.
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 – contact Sally Hutton or Yvonne Keanne at our RASASC Guildford office for more details or please complete the application form.
This recruitment will close by Tuesday 24th February
How to Apply: Please download the application form from our RASASC Guildford website
Registered Charity 
6 - 10
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Main purpose of job: To provide emotional and practical support and information to victims and survivors of sexual violence who have reported to the police, or are considering reporting to the police.
Location: Hybrid: working from home, with regular attendance at CARA premises in Colchester and regular travel across mid and north Essex.
Preferred start date: ASAP (subject to enhanced DBS Check and satisfactory references)
Salary: £32,151 - £34,020 (pro rata).
Contract: This is a permanent contract.
Hours: 28 - 35 hours per week.
Holiday: 25 days per year pro-rata, plus additional gift days at Christmas.
To apply: Please complete the application form, which can be downloaded from our website, explaining how your skills and experience relate to the person specification.
Application deadline: 9am, Monday 2nd February 2026.
Interviews: Wednesday 11th February 2026.
This post is restricted to women applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1.
Job Description
Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs) provide emotional and practical support and information to victims and survivors of sexual violence who have reported to the police, or are considering reporting to the police.
The role of an ISVA is to support victims and survivors by:
·Ensuring their voice is heard.
·Helping them make the choices that feel right for them.
·Accompanying them to important appointments and to court.
·Supporting them with their next steps after the legal process is over, regardless of the outcome of the case.
If victims and survivors are considering reporting to the police, ISVAs can also help them by:
·Providing impartial information to enable them to make an informed decision.
·Offering an overview of police processes and what to expect if they do decide to report.
·Supporting them in their next steps.
CARA provides an ISVA service to adults, young people and children who have been victims of sexual violence from across mid and North Essex, and Uttlesford.
Most ISVA clients are referred to CARA through the Police or the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). Clients can also refer themselves.
Duties and Responsibilities
For all clients
· To liaise with CARA’s Information and Referrals Coordinator and First Contact Navigators in supporting new referrals to the ISVA service.
· To undertake risk assessment and support needs analysis with clients.
· To develop individual service plans to address risks/support needs of clients.
· To help clients access services to which they are entitled, e.g. through setting up fast-track referral systems to sexual health follow-up services, making referrals to mental health services, assisting with return to work/absence from work arrangements.
· To provide face-to-face and telephone support (non-therapeutic) to clients and their supporters where appropriate.
· To help clients to develop their own support network.
· To explain criminal, legal and if relevant, civil remedies to clients.
· To provide information in relation to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
· Where relevant and with client’s consent, to keep other agencies informed about important changes in client’s situation.
· To consider safeguarding issues and follow CARA’s safeguarding policy and procedures.
If a client reports to the Police
· To support the client throughout their time in the criminal justice system, explaining the procedures and their role and rights within it.
· Subject to local arrangements and their wishes, to support the client at every step; from the provision of their witness statement through to a trial.
· To liaise with the police and CPS on behalf of the client. To keep them informed about the progress of their case on behalf of the police in line with the requirements of the Victims Code of Practice.
· To participate in case conferences with the police and CPS.
· To understand and support the need for some clients to access special measures.
General
· To manage a caseload of around 50 clients (pro rata), including adults, young people and children.
· To travel to client meetings in a variety of settings, including outreach premises and clients’ homes.
· To maintain and monitor records, using a purpose-built online database.
· To follow procedures and protocols so that the safety of the client is kept central to any process.
· To note and feedback to other agencies any difficulties clients are having accessing their service.
· To contribute to the development of service policies, protocols, guidelines and strategies within areas of practice as necessary.
· To develop and maintain effective communication systems with key partners including the police, CPS, HMCTS, social services, education, primary care trust (mental and sexual health), Victim Support, Witness Service, CAFCASS and voluntary sector organisations.
·To participate in team meetings, supervision, training and development.
·To participate in co-location working within Colchester and Chelmsford police stations.
· To provide specialist advice to other workers and agencies, including participation in the delivery of training sessions.
· To have a clear understanding of the myths surrounding sexual violence, and the trauma and long-term mental health effects it creates, including self-harm, suicidal feelings and suicide attempts.
· To be aware of resources available regarding interpreters, signers etc.
· To attend regular team meetings and to work with colleagues to further the objectives of CARA.
· To adhere in full to all CARA’s organisational policies and procedures, including safeguarding.
· To report to the ISVA Manager, Head of Operations, CEO and Trustees as required, including the production of written reports.
· To be administratively self-servicing.
· To undertake any other related activities as required by the ISVA Manager, Head of Operations, CEO or Board of Trustees.
About CARA
CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) works with victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, providing independent, specialist support and promoting and representing their rights and needs.
CARA is a registered charity working with adults of all genders, young people and children from across mid and north Essex. We have a head office in Colchester and outreach premises in Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton-on-Sea, Great Dunmow and Harwich. We also provide remote services.
CARA seeks to be an inclusive organisation that actively encourages, supports and values diversity amongst both our service-users and our workers. We wish to create a culture in which discrimination, in all its forms, is recognised and addressed.
You can read more about CARA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion on our website. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds.
About Synergy East
CARA is part of Synergy East. We work closely with SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis) to deliver the contract for the Office for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex for services for victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse across Essex.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.