Independent Sexual Violence Advocate

Job Description
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Location:
Contract Duration:
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Hours of Work:

Independent Sexual Violence Advocate
Based in Barnsley town centre
Initially to March 2027, potential for extension subject to funding
£29,869 per annum, increasing to £30,811 upon successful
completion of ISVA accreditation
37 hours per week

This post is open to female applicants only *

About BSARCS
In 1987 a small group of women from a variety of backgrounds came together on a voluntary
basis with the aim of developing a support service for women and girls in Barnsley.  Two years
later, they opened a helpline service for women  who had experienced sexual harm, initially
operating on a very limited budget and for two hours a week, with no premises of their own
and the bare minimum of equipment.

In  the years  since  then  BSARCS  has  grown  beyond  recognition  and  in  the  year  2024/25  we
provided specialist therapy, advocacy and support to around 1500 women, men and children
who have experienced sexual violence or harm as well as to their relatives.
In the same year, we also delivered specialist training courses to over 800 professionals in the
borough.

BSARCS is governed by a Board of Trustees and currently has around 30 individuals working
from  our  Barnsley  premises,  including  our  CEO,  Business  Support  Team,  Training  &
Development Team, Adult Services and Children’s Services.  We also have a team of volunteers
supporting our work.

We are committed to partnership working and, as a result, our funding streams are diverse,
attracting both statutory funding and charitable grants.

Why work for us?
We are an innovative, flexible and supportive employer, committed to the personal and
professional development and wellbeing of our employees, offering the following benefits:

  30 days paid leave plus statutory holidays (pro rata for part time employees)
  Christmas Closure
  A competitive pension scheme
  Westfield Health membership
  Free car parking

We really value our staff team and are constantly reviewing our policies and practice, looking
for ways in which we can better demonstrate this.  We also recognise the potential impact of
working in this field and provide clinical supervision to all of our employees, irrelevant of their
role.

About the role
South Yorkshire Sexual Violence Partnership (SYSVP) is made up of four specialist sexual
violence partners in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield to deliver a regional ISVA
service, commissioned by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).

Each partner employs Independent Sexual Violence Advocates (ISVA) to deliver advocacy,
practical and emotional support to survivors of sexual violence and abuse, both within and
outside of the criminal justice system.

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 the ISVA Lead, who will also provide you with regular casework
supervision and line management.  In addition, you will participate fully in regular clinical
supervision to support your personal wellbeing and address any issues of vicarious trauma.

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

Role specific responsibilities

  Providing effective emotional, practical support and advocacy to survivors of sexual

harm in line with ISVA quality standards and organisational policies and safeguarding
frameworks

  To deliver effective support to survivors, and where appropriate 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 are aware of the services and support they are entitled to

and assisting them to develop an effective support network

  Working with service users in their own homes and other settings and accompanying

them to meetings and appointments, as appropriate

  Working collaboratively with other agencies, attending meetings, contributing to the
overall support for your clients and to promote trauma informed responses (from all
agencies)

  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,  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 victim survivors 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

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.  Although the job description does not form part of an
employment contract, any significant departures from the stated responsibilities will be
agreed in consultation with the post holder.

Additional responsibilities:

◦  To  work  as  part  of  the  wider  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.

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 people who have experienced trauma and

personal resilience whilst doing so

  Experience of planning and delivering 1:1 support with service users 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 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, 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

  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 people who have experienced sexual violence and

experience of working in a similar setting

  Demonstrable experience of working with a holistic approach and involving other

professionals 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
BSARCS 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).  However, for genuine occupational requirement
reasons we are looking to appoint a female only for this post (exemption under the Equality
Act 2010 Part 1 Schedule 9).