Isva Jobs
Specialist ISVA (adults with learning disabilities, autism or both), 35 hours per week, funded until March 2023 - fixed term contract.
We invite applications for an exciting opportunity to join the Advocacy team at Respond in London. As an independent sexual violence advocate (ISVA) you will work with female and male clients with learning disabilities, autism or both who have experienced some form of sexual violence or harm. They may be considering reporting or have already reported to the police and you will offer emotional support and advocacy as they navigate the criminal justice system. You will also support them to consider and negate the impact of what they have experienced.
This post forms part of the Gateway service and you will work in partnership with other London sexual violence services. You will also have the opportunity to attend training with RCEW (Rape Crisis England and Wales) as part of the role. You will work in a team of four others who offer advocacy.
Due to Covid-19, the post is mainly home based at present but working practices are under constant review and this will be discussed at interview.
About us: Respond is a small national charity with offices in London and Birmingham providing specialised community support for children and adults with learning disabilities, autism or both who have experienced abuse or trauma.
To apply: Via CharityJob with a covering letter outlining how you meet the person specification criteria. Applications without a covering letter will not be considered.
Closing date: 21st June 2021 at 17:00
Interview date (by Zoom): 29th June 2021
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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.
· Manage a caseload of approximately 14 active cases.
· 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.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Location: Office based in Camden - Hybrid working.
Salary: 2.1 Unqualified applicant’s dependent on experience: £27.582.75-£29,174.06 per annum
Band 2.2 Qualified applicants (with an accredited VAWG /ISVA qualification) dependent on experience:£29,174.06-£31,826.25 per annum.
(Please note, successful candidates are usually appointed at the bottom of the relevant band)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Fixed Term Contract until 31st March 2025
Closing Date: 2nd April 2024 at 12 noon
Virtual Interview Date: Week starting 8th of April 2024
Are you looking for a rewarding role working for an intersectional feminist organisation? If so, we have an incredible opportunity for you to join our team as Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA) at Solace Women's Aid.
We exist to end the harm done through gender-based violence. Our aim is to work to prevent violence and abuse, as well as providing services to meet the individual needs of survivors, particularly women and children. Our work is holistic and empowering, working alongside survivors to achieve independent lives, free from abuse.
Our core values reflect our history and were developed in consultation with staff and service users. Feminism and intersectionality are key to our work and we are committed to the principles of being survivor-led, trauma-informed, empowering, diverse, anti-racist and anti-discriminatory.
About the Service
North London Rape Crisis offers range of services to women, trans women, and non-binary people age 13 + who are experiencing or have experienced any form of sexual violence in their lives. We offer a safe and non-judgmental space to women living, working, or studying across London boroughs of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Camden, Islington, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey.
Our expert team provides helpline support, advocacy (ISVA) support including specialised ISVAS for women with multiple disadvantages and young women. We also provide one to one and group counselling to survivors as well as short term one to one counselling support to survivor’s family and friends. It is an inclusive service and support all ages, disabilities, sexualities, gender identities including non-binary, ethnicities, and religions.
The service will be open 9.00am to 5.00 pm however, appointments can be arranged outside of these if required.
About the Role
The role of Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA) is with the Rape Crisis service in North London. You will work within a multi-disciplinary team to provide a pro-active emotional, practical and advocacy support for survivors who have experienced any form of sexual violence and are engaging (or considering engaging) with the criminal justice system.
About You
The ideal candidate will have completed ISVA training, or have a willingness to undertake ISVA training, and have experience of supporting women affected by sexual violence. You will have a clear understanding of the effects of and issues facing women who have experienced sexual violence, as well as understanding of the Criminal Justice System. You will be able to communicate with people from a range of backgrounds and create good working relationship with service users as well as partner agencies.
We understand that you may not have all the knowledge, experience, and skills mentioned in the Job Profile Document. However, your interpersonal skills, passion to have a positive impact, commitment to our purpose, and ability to learn quickly and collaborate effectively will be equally important. If you wish to learn more about the role or if you are unsure about whether to apply, we encourage you to contact our recruitment team.
What we can offer you
We provide a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees, including:
- Flexible working
- Focus on learning and development (internal career progression and training)
- Generous holiday entitlement
- Employer pension contribution
- Family-friendly leave and enhanced maternity pay
- Access to Inclusion Networks
- Daily clinical debriefing
- Employee Assistance Programme providing free 24/7 support and advice
- Employee Benefits Platform offering staff discounts, benefits and savings
- Flow & Restore yoga classes
- Meditation sessions
- Cycle to Work Scheme
How to apply
Please submit your CV and Supporting Statement through the recruitment portal. When applying for this role, kindly highlight in your Supporting Statement how your values, knowledge, transferrable skills, and experience align with each point within the following sections of the Job Profile Document:
- Values, Behaviours & Competencies
- Knowledge, Experience and Skills
Solace Women's Aid values diversity, promotes equity, and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, abilities, perspectives, and lived experiences. 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. Our Inclusion Networks support staff with protected characteristics and offer inclusive spaces to connect.
We are a Disability Confident Employer and committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as needed and support employees who acquire a disability or long-term health condition, enabling them to stay in work. If you require any support to apply for this role, please email us.
This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2) e of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.
As part of safer recruitment practices, we carry out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and right to work in the UK checks.
No agencies.