Gloucestershire Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA)

Salary: £25,954 per annum​rising to £26,364​per annum on successful completion of probation and £28,002​per annum after accreditation.

Hours:​ 37.5 hours per week

Holiday: ​25 days annual holiday entitlement increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service per annum plus bank holidays

Base:  Second Floor, 9 Pullman Court, Great Western Road, GLOUCESTER, GL1 3ND

Area Covered: Gloucestershire

Contract:​ Permanent

​About the Role

To work in a multi-agency setting providing a pro-active crisis intervention service to adult victims of sexual violence within and outside of the criminal justice system. The post holder will work pro-actively to risk assess and support client needs and develop a comprehensive support plan to help keep victims safe.

This role will use advocacy and partnership working skills to ensure victims are supported throughout the criminal justice system from report to court, and to access services to which they are entitled.

The post holder will manage a busy caseload and have excellent partnership skills and an understanding of Adult and Vulnerable people Safeguarding procedures.

Operate an assertive, client-led outreach service, meeting clients in locations where they feel most comfortable and safe, in line with service policies and risk assessments.

This role will work proactively as part of the ISVA Team and will have respect for the diversity of the community in which the service works to ensure the services is accessible to all.

The post holder will also uphold the values and mission statement of First Light and proactively support and champion the charity in all areas of their work.

The post holder will be highly motivated, flexible and able to work unsupervised on a day-to-day basis.

Key responsibilities:

• Ensure that a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of sexual violence, and its impact on victims, family members and wider society, informs all work with victims and partner agencies.
• All interventions will prioritise the safety, security and dignity of service users and of colleagues.
• Operate an assertive, client-led outreach service, meeting clients in locations where they feel most comfortable and safe, in line with service policies and risk assessments.
• To support clients through the Criminal Justice System, explaining the procedures and their role and rights within that system and act as a first point of contact to relevant Criminal Justice agencies.
• Liaise with the Police and CPS on behalf of the clients, with the client’s informed consent and adhering to confidentiality policy in relation to release of information.  Keep the victim informed about case progress in line with the requirements of the Victims Code of Practice.

Essential requirements:

• Evidence of IT and computer literacy skills
• Full Driving licence
• Experience of working with vulnerable people, and/or experience of crisis work
• Experience of the work of criminal/civil justice and/or health & social care systems
• Ability to build rapport and develop and maintain relationships with clients/colleagues/professionals and stakeholders
• Handling confidential and sensitive information appropriately
• Managing a caseload

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Added benefits:

• A comprehensive induction and training programme, with a hybrid working policy for a better work/life balance.
• A wellbeing day per financial year (1^stApril to 31^stMarch)
• Access to external supervision to discuss personal or emotional responses to traumatic cases, to ensure emotional and psychological wellbeing.
• Health and wellbeing resources including our staff Wellbeing Group, Staff Consultation Committee and active participation in our employee engagement platform.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme which includes a 24/7 telephone helpline offering medical, emotional and financial support.
• Working for an organisation committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We encourage applications from all sections of the community, and all backgrounds regardless of age, race, faith, disability, neurodiversities, genders, gender expression or sexuality. First Light are a Disability Confident Committed Employer and have an LGBTQIA+ Staff Network.
• Annual pay review and employer contribution pension scheme.

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Additional Information:  The successful applicant will be subject to a Disclosure & Barring check, and a social media check conducted by a third party organisation as part of our Safer Recruitment process. Any future offer of employment is contingent on the satisfactory completion of these checks, as well as the receipt of two satisfactory employment references, with one being from your current or most recent employer. Please note that in some roles staff may be required to work from a home/office base in accordance with our Hybrid Working policy.

Deadline for receipt of applications:  by 12 noon on 2nd June 2026

Expected date for interviews:   W/c 22nd June 2026

​To apply:​ Due to Safeguarding requirements we are unable to accept CVs as part of your application, or employ any candidate who has been a client of First Light within the last two years.