Swindon and Children & Young Independent Sexual Violence Advisor

Swindon and Wiltshire Children & Young Peoples Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (Fixed Term)

Salary: £24,956 per annum rising to £25,350 per annum on successful completion of probation, £26,925 upon successful completion of ISVA accreditation

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Monday-Friday, 09:00-17:00)

Holiday: 25 days annual holiday entitlement increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service per annum plus bank holidays

Base: The Gables, Swindon, remote working where appropriate

Area Covered: Swindon and Wiltshire

Contract: 18 month fixed term

To work in a multi‑agency setting providing a pro‑active crisis intervention service to child victims of sexual violence within and outside of the criminal justice system. The post holder will work pro‑actively to risk‑assess and support client needs and develop a comprehensive support plan to help keep victims safe. This role will use advocacy and partnership working skills to ensure victims are supported throughout the criminal justice system from report to court, and to access services to which they are entitled.

There is a commitment to providing a high quality, victim‑focused and inclusive service as outlined in the Victim Code of Practice.

The post holder will manage a busy caseload and have excellent partnership skills and an understanding of Children’s and Vulnerable people Safeguarding procedures. They will work proactively as part of the ISVA Team and will have respect for the diversity of the community in which the service works to ensure the services are accessible to all.

They will be required to provide advocacy and information to clients in high risk situations where the safety of the service user and self is to be prioritised. Appropriate professional record keeping is required using the client information system.

We encourage applications from all genders.

• Comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of Sexual Violence and its impact on Victims, Family Members and Wider Society.
• Travel throughout Swindon and Wiltshire to provide support to clients under 18 years of age.
• Manage a caseload of clients aged 0‑18 that will vary between child sexual abuse/violence and child sexual exploitation cases, providing an individual support care plan to meet their needs.
• Provide face‑to‑face, telephone and email support to clients and their supporters where appropriate.
• Be proactive and develop the role of the Children and Young People’s Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (CYP ISVA) across First Light.
• Be respectful of the diversity of CYPs and of the need to prioritise the accessibility of service provision.
• Support children and young people through the criminal justice process and liaise with police accordingly.
• Respond to crisis situations as they arise with clients and complete onward safeguarding referrals.
• Engage with other agencies such as Paediatric SARC (The Bridge), CAMHS, social services, police and counselling services to provide a multi‑agency approach for clients.

• Valid UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle.

• A comprehensive induction and training programme.
• A well‑being day per financial year (1 st April to 31 st March).
• Access to external supervision to discuss personal or emotional responses to traumatic cases, to ensure emotional and psychological well‑being.
• Health and well‑being resources including staff Well‑being Group, Staff Consultation Committee and active participation in employee engagement platform.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme which includes a 24/7 telephone helpline offering medical, emotional and financial support.
• Working for an organisation committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We encourage applications from all sections of the community, all backgrounds regardless of age, race, faith, disability, neurodiversity, gender, gender expression or sexuality. First Light is a Disability Confident Committed Employer and has an LGBTQIA+ Staff Network.
• Annual pay review and employer contribution pension scheme.

The successful applicant will be subject to a Disclosure & Barring check, and a social media check conducted by a third‑party organisation as…