Independent domestic violence advocate jobs in Milton keynes
How's your job search on our site?
Caseworker - Sexual Violence
Location: Aylesbury (Hybrid)
Hours: 37.5 hours a week (5 days)
Salary: £28,000 – £30,000 (FTE) per annum
Contract: Permanent
Hope After Harm is an established, registered charity, delivering a range of support services to those who are vulnerable or at risk of exclusion. We want to see a society where everyone feels safe and can thrive, regardless of who they are and where they come from. We enable adults and young people in their journey to recover from harm and trauma. Through support, advocacy and education we empower people to rebuild their lives and reclaim their future, and we inspire others to do the same, creating safer, more inclusive communities.
Role Description
To provide holistic support to anyone who has experienced sexual violence and to identify and engage with these individuals on a one-to-one basis, enabling them to access services and make positive, empowering choices.
Responsibilities:
- To provide support to service users who have experienced sexual violence.
- To provide support to the facilitation of group work within the service.
- To provide group work interventions on a 1-2-1 basis where the service user is unable to access groups.
- To lead on providing service users information sessions and informal group activities / events.
- To independently manage a small caseload of adult client cases, providing practical and emotional support.
- To conduct risk assessments, do case management and safety planning in partnership with other key agencies.
- To advocate in a range of settings on behalf of the service user and working towards them being their own best advocate.
- To help service users to make informed choices about their future options.
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
Essential:
- Experience of direct support work with victims or other vulnerable people including providing emotional and practical support.
- Excellent Caseworker with good assessment, motivational and empowerment skills.
- Organising, prioritising, risk management and problem-solving skills.
- Experience of working cooperatively and effectively in a team.
- Willingness to be able to work flexible hours when necessary and be part of an on-call rota.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including presentation skills.
- PC literate (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
- Compassionate towards the individuals the service supports.
- A driving licence and own transport.
- Sensitivity to cultural differences and the ability to work in diverse settings and with people with diverse needs.
- Good knowledge of a full range of civil, criminal and practical options available to service users.
- Good knowledge of restorative interventions or ability to learn them and make use of them with appropriate service users.
- Knowledge and skills to operate within a trauma informed approach.
- Ability to provide non-judgemental, non-directive and confidential support to service users in crisis.
- A clear understanding of the gendered nature of some crime types, and a clear understanding of how different crime types disproportionately affect different groups of people.
- A commitment to working within an equality and diversity framework and an awareness of barriers to accessing support.
Desirable:
- Ability to determine strategies, outcomes and opportunities to develop the role.
- Experience and knowledge of exploitation and modern-day slavery, sexual violence and other complex issues.
- Experience of working with groups with multiple complex needs.
- Mental Health Awareness including the impact on an individual and the services available.
- Have an ISVA qualification or be prepared to undertake training.
- Knowledge of domestic abuse – at least level 2 DASH training.
- Awareness of differing counselling approaches.
For this role you will also need:
- The ability to travel within Thames Valley and occasionally the surrounding areas.
- To be free from any criminal conviction which would conflict with the responsibilities of the post. You will be required to have a DBS Enhanced disclosure or a portable DBS.
- To be able to deal with all information on a confidential basis and understand data protection requirements.
- A driving licence and your own vehicle.
- To have Citizenship of the UK or have entitlement to work in the UK.
Thames Valley Partnership trading as Hope After Harm is an equal opportunities employer. The aim of our policy is to ensure no job applicant, employee or worker is discriminated against either directly or indirectly on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religious belief, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, age or disability. We do not disbar applicants with criminal convictions and are mindful of the requirements of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, 1974.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
EQUISS Caseworker
Reports to: Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding
Purpose of the Role
EQUISS is an independent organisation working to strengthen safeguarding, welfare and accountability across the equestrian sector.
Across the equestrian world - from riding schools and training yards to competitions and affiliated clubs - concerns about abuse, misconduct and unsafe practices have too often been difficult to raise, navigate or resolve. EQUISS has been established to help change that: ensuring individuals affected by harm are heard, supported and able to access clear and safe pathways for raising concerns.
This role represents the first advocacy caseworker position within EQUISS, playing a central part in establishing a new, independent support service for the equestrian sector.
The Caseworker will provide trauma-informed advocacy, guidance and practical support to individuals experiencing abuse, harm or misconduct within equestrian environments. The role will help individuals understand their options, access appropriate support and navigate reporting processes within sport and, where appropriate, statutory systems.
Working closely with the Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding, the Caseworker will help deliver EQUISS’s advocacy service and support line, ensuring individuals receive safe, informed and survivor-centred support.
As one of the early roles within a developing organisation, the Caseworker will also contribute insight from frontline casework to help EQUISS identify patterns, risks and systemic safeguarding challenges within the equestrian world, supporting the organisation’s wider mission to drive meaningful reform.
Key Responsibilities
Advocacy and Support
- Provide empathetic, trauma-informed support to individuals seeking guidance relating to abuse, misconduct or safeguarding concerns within equestrian environments
- Act as a single point of contact (SPOC) for individuals engaging with the criminal justice system, helping them understand processes, maintain communication with relevant agencies and access appropriate support throughout the process
- Listen to and respond to disclosures in a sensitive, survivor-centred manner while always maintaining professional boundaries, and ensuring clients understand the remit of the service
- Help individuals understand their rights, options and available pathways for raising concerns
- Support individuals to make informed decisions about next steps, while respecting their autonomy and choices
- Where appropriate, accompany and support individuals at face-to-face meetings, including meetings with organisations, safeguarding professionals or governing bodies, and provide advocacy support during interactions with police or court processes
- Maintain appropriate and supportive contact with individuals seeking assistance, ensuring clear communication and follow-up where appropriate
Case Management
- Manage a caseload of advocacy enquiries and support requests under the supervision of the Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding
- Conduct structured needs and risk assessments to understand the circumstances and support needs of individuals contacting EQUISS
- Maintain clear, accurate and confidential case records in line with organisational policies and data protection requirements
- Ensure individuals are appropriately signposted or referred to specialist services such as counselling, legal advice, advocacy organisations or statutory services where required
Safeguarding
- Identify safeguarding concerns involving children, young people or adults at risk and respond in line with EQUISS safeguarding procedures.
- Escalate safeguarding concerns to the Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding where appropriate, seeking guidance on complex or high-risk situations while maintaining confidence in managing routine casework independently
- Support the safe handling and documentation of safeguarding concerns, including gathering relevant information and assisting with referrals where appropriate.
- Maintain clear and confidential records of safeguarding decisions and actions taken
Partnership and Liaison
- Work collaboratively with relevant organisations and professionals where appropriate, including safeguarding leads within equestrian sport, statutory agencies and specialist support services
- Support individuals in navigating organisational processes where concerns relate to equestrian environments
- Help build constructive relationships with relevant safeguarding and welfare partners
Learning and Insight
- Contribute insight from casework to help EQUISS identify patterns, risks and systemic safeguarding issues within the equestrian world
- Contribute insight from casework and engagement with individuals to help inform EQUISS communications, campaigns and sector awareness work, supporting the organisation in highlighting safeguarding issues within the equestrian sector
- Support the development of organisational learning by sharing themes and insights emerging from advocacy work
- Assist the Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding in identifying areas where sector guidance or safeguarding training may be beneficial
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Safeguarding training at Level 3, or willingness to undertake Level 3 safeguarding training within the first six months of appointment
Desirable
- ISVA, IDVA or CHISVA qualification, or equivalent advocacy training.
- Additional training in trauma-informed practice, safeguarding or victim-survivor support
Where candidates do not yet hold an ISVA, IDVA or CHISVA qualification, EQUISS will support the successful candidate to undertake relevant advocacy or safeguarding training as part of their professional development.
Essential Experience
- Experience supporting individuals affected by abuse, safeguarding concerns or trauma within a professional setting
- Experience providing advocacy, casework or support within safeguarding, welfare, social care sport or related sectors
- Experience working with sensitive and confidential information
- Understanding of trauma-informed and survivor-centred practice
Knowledge
- Understanding of safeguarding principles relating to children, young people and adults at risk
- Awareness of barriers individuals may face when reporting abuse or misconduct
- Understanding of professional boundaries and safe information sharing
Skills
- Excellent listening and communication skills
- Ability to engage sensitively with individuals discussing difficult experiences
- Ability to assess needs, prioritise actions and manage casework effectively
- Strong organisational and record-keeping skills
- Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment
Additional Information
- The role may involve occasional travel to provide in-person advocacy support, including attending meetings with organisations or statutory agencies, and accompanying individuals to police stations, court hearings or other relevant appointments where appropriate
- Some evening or weekend availability may occasionally be required
- The role requires an enhanced DBS check
- The postholder will participate in regular supervision and reflective practice
- The postholder must demonstrate a commitment to EQUISS’ values of safety, respect, integrity and inclusion
About EQUISS
EQUISS is an independent organisation working across the equestrian sector to improve safeguarding, welfare and accountability. We support individuals affected by abuse and misconduct, work with organisations to strengthen safeguarding practice, and drive systemic change through training, standards and advocacy.
Our work brings together three key areas: supporting individuals navigating concerns, strengthening safeguarding practice across the sector, and campaigning for meaningful reform where systems are failing.
As a developing organisation, EQUISS is building the structures, services and standards needed to ensure safeguarding and welfare are prioritised across the equestrian world.
Please note: There will be a requirement to travel for this role.
Employment package:
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- A personal pension plan provided through NEST after 3 months
- Private Healthcare insurance after successful completion of probationary period
- Reporting to Head of Advocacy & Safeguarding
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.