4 Independent sexual violence advisor jobs

Join our Independent Sexual Violence Advisor Team

We are growing our specialist Independent Sexual Violence Advisor Team and are looking for exceptional people to join us as Adult ISVAs, Children and Young People’s ISVAs (CHISVAs), and a Family ISVA.

If you are passionate about making a real difference to the lives of survivors of sexual violence, want work that is meaningful, challenging and genuinely impactful, and are excited by the opportunity to develop specialist expertise, we want to hear from you.

You do not need to have worked as an ISVA, CHISVA or Family ISVA before. We are open to applicants who understand the complexity and responsibility of these roles, who bring strong transferable skills, and who can demonstrate the compassion, resilience, professional curiosity and commitment needed to support survivors through some of the most difficult experiences of their lives.

For applicants who are not already qualified, Lincolnshire Rape Crisis will fully fund the accredited ISVA qualification relevant to your role. You will be supported to attend training within your working time and given the support you need to successfully complete your qualification and develop your specialist practice.

This is a huge opportunity to join an experienced, ambitious and dynamic team, develop a career in specialist sexual violence advocacy, and become part of an organisation delivering critical services to survivors across Lincolnshire.

If you want a role where your work matters, where you can keep developing, and where you have the opportunity to create meaningful change for survivors, we would love to hear from you.

This is an exciting opportunity to join Lincolnshire Rape Crisis and become part of a highly skilled, ambitious and values-led organisation committed to transforming the support available to people affected by sexual violence and abuse.

As an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA), you will provide specialist, trauma-informed and survivor-centred advocacy to survivors across Lincolnshire. You will support individuals whether or not they choose to report to the police, helping them understand their rights and options, access appropriate services and make informed decisions about their support.

For clients who choose to report, you will help them navigate every stage of the criminal justice process, from making an initial report and progressing through a police investigation to decisions made by the Crown Prosecution Service and any subsequent court proceedings. You will explain complex processes in a clear and accessible way, provide regular updates, liaise with criminal justice agencies, support clients to prepare for court and attend court with them where required.

You will provide consistent, independent advocacy throughout each client’s journey, ensuring their voice, choices and wellbeing remain central. You will work closely with the police, courts, Crown Prosecution Service, health services, safeguarding teams and voluntary-sector partners, while remaining independent from the criminal justice system.

The role includes managing a varied caseload, developing individual support and safety plans, identifying and responding to risk, maintaining accurate and confidential records, and advocating confidently on behalf of clients. You will be supported by an experienced management team, regular supervision, specialist training and a wider multidisciplinary team passionate about delivering exceptional services.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for dynamic, motivated and compassionate individuals with excellent written and verbal communication skills. You will be able to communicate sensitively with people who may be distressed, overwhelmed or experiencing significant uncertainty, while also engaging confidently and professionally with a wide range of agencies.

You will be resilient, highly organised and able to manage a demanding caseload without losing sight of the individual person behind each case. You will demonstrate sound professional judgement, strong boundaries and the ability to remain calm, responsive and solution-focused in complex situations.

We are particularly interested in applicants who:

• Are passionate about improving the experiences of survivors of sexual violence and abuse.
• Can build safe, trusting and professional relationships.
• Have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Can explain complex information clearly and sensitively.
• Can advocate confidently and challenge professionals appropriately.
• Are proactive, adaptable and able to use their own initiative.
• Can manage competing priorities and maintain accurate, high-quality records.
• Understand the importance of safeguarding, confidentiality, equality and professional boundaries.
• Are committed to learning, reflective practice and continuous professional development.
• Can work collaboratively while bringing energy, ideas and initiative to the wider team.

Experience of advocacy, casework or supporting people within health, social care, criminal justice, safeguarding or the voluntary sector would be advantageous. Knowledge of the criminal justice system and the impact of sexual violence is desirable; however, we also welcome applicants with strong transferable skills and the commitment and ability to develop specialist knowledge.

Why Join Lincolnshire Rape Crisis?

Lincolnshire Rape Crisis is a growing, innovative and specialist organisation with an established reputation for providing high-quality services to survivors of sexual violence and abuse. We are proud of our skilled workforce, strong partnerships and commitment to ensuring survivors receive the support, advocacy and choices they deserve.

You will join a supportive and forward-thinking organisation where your professional development, wellbeing and contribution will be valued. We invest in our staff through specialist training, structured supervision, reflective practice and opportunities to develop within an expanding range of services.

Our work is challenging, purposeful and genuinely life-changing. We are looking for people who want to bring their skills, energy and ideas to an organisation that is ambitious for its clients, its staff and the communities it serves.

About the role

This role sits within Women and Girls Network’s CJS Team and provides rapid, short-term advocacy and support to survivors, in London, who have experienced sexual violence and are engaging with, or considering engaging with, the criminal justice system.

You will deliver brief, trauma-informed and survivor-centred support to people who are unable to access an ISVA locally or who are waiting for support through the London Survivors Gateway. Working across the Gateway partnership - including Rape Crisis Centres, Galop, Survivors UK, Respond, and the Havens - you will help ensure survivors receive timely, independent information and advocacy at a critical point.

As this is a pilot role, you will also play a key part in shaping and developing this specialist brief intervention ISVA provision in response to survivor need.

This role is offered on a two-year fixed-term contract. 

What you will be doing

As the Brief Intervention Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA), you will:

• Provide rapid, short-term independent advocacy, information and support to survivors navigating or considering the criminal justice system, enabling informed choice and access to rights.
• Deliver empowering, trauma-informed and intersectional support, including risk and needs assessments, safety planning and tailored action planning.
• Offer clear, impartial information about reporting options, the criminal justice process, survivors’ rights under the Victims’ Code, and available legal and compensation routes.
• Advocate on survivors’ behalf with police and criminal justice agencies, and support attendance at police stations or court where required.
• Work within strict safeguarding, confidentiality and professional boundaries, ensuring survivor safety and wellbeing remain central at all times.
• Develop and pilot a brief intervention ISVA model, contributing to service design, case management systems and best practice alongside the CJS Team Manager and Gateway partners.
• Build strong working relationships across the London Survivors Gateway partnership to strengthen pathways and improve access to timely support.
• Maintain accurate case records, monitoring and evaluation data, and engage in supervision, reflective practice and continuous professional development.
• Model WGN’s feminist, trauma-informed and anti-oppressive approach, contributing to a collaborative team culture and high-quality service delivery.

Closing date and interviews

This vacancy will close at 9am on Monday 5 October 2026. Interviews are expected to take place remotely via MS Teams on Wednesday 14 October 2026, however, please note that dates may be subject to change.

We encourage early applications, as we reserve the right to close the vacancy before the advertised closing date should we receive a high volume of applications or identify a suitable candidate.

About us 

Women and Girls Network (WGN) is a pan-London organisation that supports women and girls affected by all forms of gendered-based violence. Our overall aim is to promote, preserve and restore the mental health and well-being of women and girls who have experienced, or are at risk of, gendered-based violence, whilst working towards a society free of gendered-based violence.

We do this by:

• Providing women-only holistic and seamless therapeutic services, which meet women and girls’ needs and contribute to total and sustainable recovery from the experiences of violence.
• Evidencing the impact of gendered-based violence and presenting this information in appropriate forums to affect social change in attitudes towards, and responses to, gendered-based violence.
• Developing good practice in the sector by providing training and guidance on specialist service provision and the development of culturally appropriate service delivery.

WGN is proud to be an accredited Living Wage Employer and a member of The London VAWG Consortium, Halo Code, and Helplines Partnership.

Join us and be part of a team that values your well-being, growth, and contribution.

Commitment to Equity and Inclusion

We are deeply committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity, resilience and strength of the women and girls we serve. We strongly encourage applications from Black and Global Majority women and applicants with Lived Experience, including those who may not meet every criterion.

WGN is an equal opportunities employer.

Exemption

This post is exempt under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1, and is open to female applicants only, due to the nature of the role.

We are looking for an effective and compassionate Children's Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (CHISVA) to support children and young people, and their families, affected by sexual violence. You'll help victims and survivors to cope and recover, as well as understand the criminal justice process and act as their advocate where needed. The role is fixed term maternity cover until Feb 2028, full-time and temporarily based from home, with travel across Lancashire requiring the use of your own vehicle.

For this reason you must reside in Lancashire to apply.

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.
• Welcome Bonus: £500 on successful completion of probation period.
• 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 the Role

The CYP ISVA will provide a high quality and victim/survivor focused service to children and young people (aged 5 - 18) who have been subjected to rape or sexual assault by penetration; this can be recent or historical. To help them to deal with the aftermath and consequences of violence and abuse.

To develop, deliver, and monitor safety and support plans for those affected by crime, who accept ongoing support. Support will include providing resources, interventions, and information to all service users. In order to:

• support those affected by crime in understanding and asserting their rights and entitlements
• in understanding their journey through the criminal justice and legal systems including the Victims Code of Practice
• facilitating access additional services
• establish healthy coping mechanisms
• provide practical support and information

This role involves regular travel and due to the location, a driving license and access to a vehicle is considered an essential requirement. If you are unable to drive because of a disability, please indicate this in your application in your personal statement so we can explore the feasibility of alternative arrangements.

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.