Family and Civil Courts Independent Sexual Violence Advisor

Family and Civil Courts Independent Sexual Violence Advisor Job Description

Family and Civil Courts ISVA Application Form

Job Description

Hours:                28 hours per week

Salary:                £21,519 per annum (actual)

(increasing upon successful completion of training)

Location:           Across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin

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

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

The purpose of an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor is to help anyone who has experienced any form of sexual abuse to cope and recover. Often our clients find themselves facing family and/ or civil proceedings in the aftermath of their abuse and need support through that. That is part of the focus of this role.

The post will work with clients to assist them with proceedings mainly in the family courts, but also in the civil courts to a lesser extent. This work will be in the capacity of your role as an ISVA.

The post holder will need to work with the statutory and voluntary agencies in the family and civil court arenas; promote the ISVA Service, raising the Services’ profile in order to build the recognition and respect that will be required, to achieve the influence and voice that will be required in order for us to be able to achieve positive outcomes for our clients.

An in-depth knowledge of the family courts and proceedings will be required.

To work within a multi-agency setting to provide a pro-active service to victims of sexual violence within and outside of the criminal justice system to:

• Risk assess and help clients keep safe

• Help clients access their rights

• Help clients access health and other services they require

• Monitor and keep client informed of case progress

• Provide support through the family and civil court processes, alongside any criminal justice processes.

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 Enhanced DBS check.

KEY TASKS

All clients

• Contact clients referred to the service, within 3 working days and support as necessary.

• Undertake needs and risk assessment with client

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

• 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, and 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 services, counselling organisations, assisting with child care arrangements and return to work

• Provide face to face support to clients and their supporters

• Communicate with client/agencies using a variety of methods such as e-mail, letter, video-calling, instant-messaging and non-therapeutic telephone support where appropriate

• Help clients develop their own support network

• Explain criminal, legal and civil remedies 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

If client reports to the police

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

• Support the client to report to the Police and during the trial phase in conjunction with Witness Services

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

• Keep the client informed about case progress on behalf of the police in line with the requirement of the Victims Code of Practice

• To understand the need for some clients 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 three 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 that the post holder must have a Full driving licence and a vehicle available for work.

Please note due to role requirements this role is only open to female applicants and is exempt from ‘The Equality Act 2010’

 

 

 

 

Family and Civil Court 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
Employment History
Relevant previous or current employment / work experience	X
Skills and experience
Knowledge & understanding of the nature/ 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
Knowledge and understanding of family courts	X	X
Knowledge and understanding of  Domestic Abuse	X	X
Experience of and ability to work pro-actively		X
Experience in promoting and raising the profile of an organisation	X	X
High standards of practice and presentation of work	X
Able to prioritise own workload and deal with competing demands		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	X
Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills	X	X
Ability to form and maintain good working relationships with colleagues	X	X
Ability to produce written and verbal reports	X
Understanding the need for professional confidentiality and its boundaries	X	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 DBS check	X
Willing to access training relating to duties	X
Able to travel as required	X