Family Independent Sexual Violence Advisor

Job Description

Hours:            35 hours per week

Salary:            £26,899 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:

This post aims to provide support to the family members of survivors of sexual abuse. This can be parents, siblings, partners or other family members. The survivors themselves, in most cases, will have their own ISVA.

For children under 5 who cannot directly access support, the Family ISVA will support the Parent/ Carer/ Guardian to support their child to cope and recover. This will involve supporting the Parent to resolve any issues so that they are in the best possible place to be able to support their child.

This role will work with children aged 5+ and adults of all genders.

The Family ISVA will work within a multi-agency setting to provide a pro-active service to family members of victims of sexual abuse to:

• Address practical support needs
• Provide information and options to allow clients to make informed choices
• Provide support following a disclosure
• Address myths and stereotypes associated with sexual abuse
• Provide knowledge to help clients gain an understanding in area’s such as CSE
• Provide support to understand the impact of sexual abuse on their loved one
• Support clients to identify and adopt healthy coping strategies
• Support clients to address their own issues that have developed as a result of the abuse
• Support clients to develop an understanding that will enable them to better support their loved one to cope and recover in the aftermath of their abuse.

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
• Provide emotional support and promote understanding of areas of vulnerability that their loved one may be experiencing such as self-esteem, anxiety, bullying, isolation and self-harm.
• Promote empowerment
• Help clients to access services to which they are entitled e.g. making referrals to mental health/counselling agencies
• Communicate with client/agencies using e-mail, letter and non-therapeutic telephone support where appropriate
• Help client develop own 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 support is for a parent)
• Consider and respond to safeguarding issues

If client reports to the police (where applicable)

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

Family 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
Knowledge & understanding of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)	X	X
Experience of working with victims of sexual violence	X	X
Knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice system	X	X
Experience of working with 5-17 year olds	X
Experience of working with families	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
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