Purpose:

The postholder will be responsible for delivering Independent Sexual Violence Advocacy (ISVA) support to survivors of sexual violence across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. As an ISVA, the postholder will provide practical and emotional support to survivors who are engaging or considering engaging with the criminal justice system, addressing their safety concerns and supporting them to liaise with appropriate agencies and services.

This post will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and open to women only. (exempt under the Equality Act 2010 pursuant to Schedule 9, Part 1). We strive to build a team that reflects the diversity of the community we work in and encourage applications from traditionally underrepresented groups such as people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQI+ people. If we can make this easier through accommodation in the recruitment process, please do get in touch by phone (01296 392468) or email (recruitment@saassbmk.org.uk).

Service Background:
Sexual Assault and Abuse Support Service Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes (SAASSBMK) provides support to anyone over the age of 16, regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity, sexuality or socio-economic background, who has experienced sexual violence.
We have provided an IDSVA service since 2022 to survivors of all genders over the age of 16 across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.

Main responsibilities:
Service Delivery

•To provide Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) sessions to new or returning ISVA service users, ensuring smooth entry to SAASSBMK services or appropriate external signposting or referring.

•To identify and assess the risks and needs of survivors, including conducting Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour Based Violence (DASH) risk assessments.

•To hold one-off sessions with survivors considering reporting their experience, to provide information about the criminal justice system and help them to make their own choices.

•To support survivors who choose to report their experience to Police or other formal institution, explaining the procedures and their rights within the system, including NFA decisions, charging decisions, verdicts, sentencing, submitting Victim’s Right to Reviews, CICA applications and police complaints where necessary.

•To facilitate access for survivors who want to attend the SARC and/or report to the police, accompanying survivors to appointments, interviews and court as required, understanding and facilitating access to special measures as needed.

•To liaise with police and other criminal justice agencies or institutions on behalf of the service user, with the service user’s consent and adhering to our confidentiality policy.

•To advocate on behalf on survivors with other professionals to help them access services, including sexual health services, mental and physical health services, employment, housing, debt and immigration services.

•To provide non-therapeutic emotional support to ISVA service users, in line with a feminist empowerment model.

•To recognise, respect and address the needs of survivors who face particular barriers when seeking help, including those from marginalised groups.

•To ensure all service user records and other documentation is up-to-date, accurate and kept confidential in line with SAASSBMK policies and procedures and GDPR requirements.

•To take immediate safeguarding action where necessary, and alert line manager or Designated Safeguarding Lead to emerging or potential issues that do not require immediate action.

Wider Team Support

•To work closely with the Advocacy and Outreach team to ensure all survivors are receiving a prompt and high-quality service.

•To attend regular case management in order to communicate information regarding cases and in particular share information around risk or safeguarding concerns.

•To report any problems/difficulties/complaints immediately to the line manager and participate in follow up investigations as required.

•To assist in the production of monitoring and evaluation reports in line with funder and other key stakeholder requirements.

•To proactively seek feedback from service users in line with SAASSBMK’s monitoring and evaluation procedures, and to ensure feedback from survivors develops the service.

Partnership working

•To develop and maintain effective relationships with key partners including police, CPS, court services, social care, education, Victim Support, witness service and other voluntary and statutory services.

•To identify and pursue opportunities for partnership working within the network, including reciprocal training, joint service delivery and capacity-building projects.

General Responsibilities

•Monitor, maintain, plan, and prioritise own workload.

•Attend regular line management, clinical supervision, training and team meetings and events as required.

•Maintain and improve competencies through continuous professional development.

•Abide by all organisational policies, codes of conduct and practices.

•Actively support and promote inclusion, diversity, and equality of opportunity in the workplace.

•Treat confidentially any personal, private, or sensitive information about service delivery, individual organisations, service users and staff, in line with SAASSBMK’s policies.

•Carry out occasional evening and/or weekend work as required

•Carry out duties as may arise, develop, or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position to contribute to the smooth functioning of the organisation.

Person Specification

Essential

Knowledge
A formal ISVA qualification from a recognised provider, or the willingness to work towards this qualification.

An excellent understanding of the needs of people affected by sexual violence

Knowledge of adult and children safeguarding protection, procedures and legislation

A good understanding of data protection andconfidential working practices

Experience
Experience of working with people facing multiple and complex challenges, including risk assessment and supporting people in emotional distress

Experience of maintaining clear boundaries

Skills
Excellent prioritisation, planning and managing own workload

Strong IT skills, including the ability to use Word, Excel, PowerPoint and databases

Excellent team working skills and ability to build positive relationships with colleagues and partner agencies

Good verbal and written communication

Full and clean driving licence and ability to travel across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes

Personal Qualities
Kind, compassionate and non-judgemental

Committed to working within the ethos of SAASS BMK’s core values, including the commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

A positive and creative approach to tackling tasks and problems

Commitment to professional development and willingness to undertake training required for the role

Desirable

Knowledge
Knowledge of the criminal justice system, particularly police and court procedures.

Experience
Experience of working or volunteering in the Rape Crisis or Women’s Aid networks.