Children & Young People’s Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (CISVA)

Location:

Based in Barnsley, supporting victims in Barnsley and parts of

Sheffield

Contract Duration:

Initially to March 2028

Salary:

£30,811 per annum

Hours of Work:

Barnsley – Full time (37 hours)

About the role

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, our Children ISVA (CISVA) works specifically with children and young people who have experienced sexual harm.

You will be joining an existing team and will provide high quality support and advocacy to children and young people who have experienced sexual abuse or harm, and to their families, 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 our Children’s Service Manager, who will also provide you with regular casework supervision and line management. In addition, you will participate fully in regular non-managerial (clinical) supervision to support your personal wellbeing and address any issues of vicarious trauma.

Role specific responsibilities

Providing effective emotional, practical support and advocacy to children and young people, involving their families where appropriate in line with ISVA quality standards and organisational policies and safeguarding frameworks

To deliver effective support to young survivors, and 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 (and their carers, where appropriate) are aware of the services and support they are entitled to and assisting them to develop an effective support network

Working with children and young people in their own homes and educational settings and accompanying them to meetings and appointments, as appropriate

Working collaboratively with other agencies, attending meetings, contributing to the overall plan for the child and promote trauma informed responses (from all agencies) to best support the needs of the child

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, education providers, 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

For children and young people accessing, or considering accessing, the criminal justice system

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 appropriate

Supporting the need of your clients to access special measures

Supporting your client through and following trial, in conjunction with Witness Services

Providing a clear and comprehensive explanation of the options for civil redress, including compensation, where appropriate

Additional responsibilities:

◦ To work as part of the South Yorkshire ISVA service, attending meetings and supporting colleagues across the partnership as appropriate

◦ To provide specialist advice to other workers and agencies, including participation in the delivery of specialist training and awareness raising sessions

◦ To contribute to the development of service policies, protocols, guidance and strategies within the practice area

This role description cannot cover every eventuality or task that may arise within this position and the post holder will be expected to carry out other duties from time to time which are broadly consistent with the role and the overall objectives of the organisation, any significant departures from the stated responsibilities will be agreed in consultation with the post holder.

About you (person specification):

In order to be considered for this position, your application must have:

Knowledge of the impact of sexual harm, including rape, child sexual abuse and exploitation

Experience of working directly with children and young people who have experienced trauma and personal resilience whilst doing so

Experience of planning and delivering 1:1 support with children and young people to address their identified wellbeing needs.

A demonstrable understanding of the principles of risk management and safety planning

An understanding of effective support planning and an ability to work responsively and flexibly with children and young people who have varied needs and experiences

Experience of working effectively within a safeguarding framework

Experience of working collaboratively with other agencies relevant to this work, including police, education providers, social care and mental health services

A willingness to complete the ISVA development programme and to apply the learning and knowledge effectively

An understanding of professional boundaries and confidentiality

An ability to communicate effectively and sensitively, using a variety of methods, with a wide range of audiences but particularly children and young people

An ability to work on your own initiative, prioritising work effectively and dealing responsively with changing and competing demands

Personal resilience and an understanding of the impact of secondary or vicarious trauma

A flexible and adaptable approach to work, with a willingness to take on new ideas and good practice

Excellent ICT skills and experience of working within a case management system and using Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook

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

Ideally, you will also have:

Completed the ISVA Development Programme or hold a professional qualification in social work or a related field

Experience of working with children/ young people who have experienced sexual violence and experience of working in a similar setting

Demonstrable experience of working with a holistic approach and involving caregivers and professionals involved in a child’s lives for best possible outcomes

Knowledge of the criminal justice system and an understanding of the impact of witnesses giving evidence

Knowledge of local partner agencies and referral routes and an understanding of partnership working

An understanding of the processes and barriers associated with help-seeking

Other information

South Yorkshire Sexual Violence Partnership is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes diversity across our services. All of our employees are required to adhere to our Equality & Diversity policies and to challenge discrimination wherever it is appropriate.

We strive to be as inclusive as is possible and look to recruit individuals with the right skills, experience and attitude – we’re less concerned with your educational history and qualifications (unless the role requires it).

This position, for genuine occupational requirement reasons, is open to female applicants only (exemption under the Equality Act 2010 Part 1 Schedule 9).