Child and Young Person Independent Sexual Violence Advisor ChISVA) (Maternity cover)

ChISVA Job Description and Person Spec

ChISVA Application Form

Job Description

Closing date: 21st November 2023

Hours/ Location:          30 hours per week working across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin

 

Salary:                               £23,056 per annum (actual)

Holidays:                          25 days plus statutory holidays per annum to be calculated pro rata to hours worked

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

To work within a multi-agency setting to provide a pro-active service to support children and young people aged 5-17 years who have experienced sexual violence, to:

• Risk assess and help clients keep safe

• Identify support needs and provide direct support in the form of coping mechanisms and emotional support; or help clients access the services they require

• Help clients access their rights

• Provide support through the criminal justice system (if applicable)

• Monitor and keep clients informed of case progress

• Help clients cope and recover

• Emotionally support parents where appropriate.

Support will be provided directly to the child/young person, and also via a non-abusive parent/ guardian.

This post has an Ethic Minorities specialism attached to it so experience of working within this hard to reach group, or knowledge of the barriers faced within this group would be advantageous.

The successful applicant will be required to understand and operate within the Axis organisation’s policies, procedures and guidelines and work to the principles of equal opportunities.

This post is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check.

KEY TASKS

All clients

• Undertake needs and risk assessment with client/ parent

• Develop individual support plan to address risks/support needs of client

• Provide one to one, age appropriate support to address identified needs and/or education in areas such as internet safety; consent; self-esteem; confidence; bullying; self-harm, working in close conjunction with non-abusive parents/guardians to identify these needs

• If assault was domestic abuse related and the client is assessed as high risk, refer on to Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) following agreed protocols and work with the IDVA

• Attend and participate in MARAC meetings.

• Help clients to access services to which they are entitled e.g. sexual health services, making referrals to mental health/counselling agencies, and return to work/ educational setting.

• Provide face to face support to clients and their supporters – this will include supporting the parent where appropriate

• Communicate with client/agencies using e-mail, letter and non-therapeutic telephone support where appropriate

• Help develop clients’ support network

• Explain criminal, legal and, if relevant, civil remedies and housing options to clients

• Provide information and support in relation to Criminal Injuries Compensation

• Where relevant, keep other agencies informed about important changes in client’s situation

• Consider and respond to safeguarding issues

• Attend meetings connected with child protection, and act as an advocate for the client to ensure their voice is heard; and ensure that other professionals understand the impact of sexual violence and take this in to account when making decisions about the child’s welfare.

If client reports to the police

• Support clients through the criminal justice system, explaining the procedures and their role and rights within the system.

• Support clients to report to the Police; and during the trial phase in conjunction with Witness Services (if applicable)

• Liaise with the police and CPS on behalf of the client, with the client’s consent, and adhere to confidentiality policy in relation to release of information.

• Keep the client and Parent/Guardian/Carer informed about case progress on behalf of the police in line with the requirement of the Victims Code of Practice

• To ensure clients are given the opportunities they are entitled to in relation to accessing special measures

GENERAL

• Manage a caseload

 

• Maintain and monitor records of all cases

• Follow procedures and protocols with other services so that the safety of the clients is kept central to any process

• Note and feed back to other agencies any consistent difficulties clients are having accessing their service.

• Contribute to the development of service policies, protocols, guidelines and strategies within area of practice as necessary

• Develop and maintain effective communication systems with key partners including police, CPS, court services, social care, education, Victim Support, witness service, voluntary and statutory sector organisations.

 

• Any other duties the Manager considers appropriate.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT

• Attend monthly line management supervision

• Attend monthly clinical supervision

• Identify and attend appropriate training opportunities

OTHER

• To produce written reports as required

• Any other duties as directed by your Line Manager

The post will be reviewed after six months and following consultation with the post holder duties may change or be developed subject to available funding and the needs of the service

Please note due to the nature of this role, it is only open to female applicants and is exempt from ‘The Equality Act 2010’

Please note that the post holder must have a Full driving licence and a vehicle available for work.

 

 

 

Child Independent Sexual Violence Advisor Person Specification

(This form indicates how the different requirements may be assessed during the selection process).

A – Application form  I – Interview

Essential / Desirable Any offers of appointment will be conditional on staff committing to completing training in those areas deemed essential to the post	Method of Assessment
	A	I
Education, qualifications and training
Good standard of education (Level 4) or equivalent experience	X
Qualification incorporating child development or relevant experience	X
Employment History
Relevant previous or current employment / work experience	X
Skills and experience
Experience working with children aged 5-17	X
Experience providing support to children aged 5-17 on a range of issues	X	X
Knowledge and understanding of the nature of sexual violence	X	X
Knowledge and understanding of the impact of sexual violence	X	X
Experience of working with victims of sexual violence	X	X
Knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice system	X	X
Experience of and ability to work pro-actively		X
High standards of practice and presentation of work	X
Able to prioritise own workload and deal with competing demands	X	X
Experience of working with a range of agencies	X
Knowledge of child protection issues and legislation	X	X
Understanding of gender equality duty	X
Understanding of the need to maintain personal records of clients	X
Proficient at using Information Technology including Windows, Microsoft Office, email and the Internet	X
Personal attributes
Ability to work on own initiative, in partnership and as part of a team	X
Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills	X	X
Ability to form and maintain good working relationships with colleagues	X
Ability to produce written and verbal reports	X
Understanding the need for professional confidentiality and its boundaries	X
Knowledge of and commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice	X
Strong crisis management skills, methodical and well organised	X	X
Ability to work in an empathic manner, to maintain consistency and develop a rapport with service users	X	X
Special requirements
Eligible to work in the UK	X
An Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check	X
Willing to access training relating to duties	X
Full driving licence & access to own vehicle	X
Able to travel as required	X