Independent Sexual Violence Advocate

Job Description

• Job Title:
  
  Independent Sexual Violence Advocate
• Location:
  
  Various locations in South Yorkshire
• Contract Duration:
  Initially to March 2028
• Salary: £30,811 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours of Work: 30-37 hours

South Yorkshire Sexual Violence Partnership (SYSVP) is a specialist sexual violence partnership delivering a regional ISVA service, commissioned by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).

Our Independent Sexual Violence Advocates (ISVA) deliver advocacy, practical and emotional support to survivors of sexual violence and abuse, both within and outside of the criminal justice system.

You will be joining an existing team and will provide high quality support and advocacy to adults who have experienced sexual abuse or harm, using a trauma informed approach.

We are proud that our services meet the national ISVA quality standards and will require the successful applicant to complete the ISVA development programme at the first available opportunity, if they haven’t already done so.

The role will be closely linked to other services, both internal and external, and you will work flexibly and collaboratively to enable children to access the appropriate services at the right time.

Your work will be overseen by an ISVA Lead, who will also provide you with regular casework supervision and line management. In addition, you will participate fully in regular clinical supervision to support your personal wellbeing and address any issues of vicarious trauma.

You must hold a full driving licence and must have access to your own vehicle to be considered for this role.

Providing effective emotional, practical support and advocacy to survivors of sexual harm in line with ISVA quality standards and organisational policies and safeguarding frameworks

To deliver effective support to survivors, and where appropriate their families, to cope with and recover from, the experience of sexual harm

Assessing the needs of your clients, developing individual risk and support plans which address them, maintaining clear, concise and prompt written records of all work undertaken

Ensuring that your clients are aware of the services and support they are entitled to and assisting them to develop an effective support network

Working with service users in their own homes and other settings and accompanying them to meetings and appointments, as appropriate

Working collaboratively with other agencies, attending meetings, contributing to the overall support for your clients and to promote trauma informed responses (from all agencies)

Prioritising the safety of your clients and associated children or adults and, where relevant, following safeguarding procedures and when required and keeping other agencies informed about important developments in your clients’ situations

To manage a caseload, maintaining records, monitoring and evaluation systems as required

To establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholder agencies, including local support agencies, health, the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to ensure appropriate communication and support is available to your clients

To attend, and contribute to, multi-agency meetings and case conferences

Providing your clients with clear explanations of the reporting procedure, timescales and processes associated with the criminal justice system

Supporting your clients to make decisions associated with the CJS process and supporting them to progress through the criminal justice process

Ensuring your clients’ rights under the Victims Code are upheld, liaising with the Police and CPS on behalf of the client as is…