Job summary
UHMB seeks to appoint a Health Independent Sexual Violence Advisor to be part of a service transforming the access to sexual violence services for victims in Lancashire. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of small team providing proactive empathetic, practical advocacy support for victims/survivors of sexual violence.
The role includes building and maintaining relationships with allied partners and stakeholders and raising awareness of the project and the issues facing victims/survivors of sexual abuse. The role will also include guiding and supporting health professionals at the hospital on the identification and referral route into the service. Ensuring robust pathways are in place to support clients. You will specifically aim to reach victims who may or may not have reported the sexual violence or abuse to the police and health care professionals, providing initial information, advice and support and facilitate referral into appropriate community-based ISVA services for longer term support. The role will be an integral part of the Trusts safeguarding team, working collaboratively with Victim Support, and adhering to best practice guidelines.
Main duties of the job
- To provide support and safety planning to victim's of sexual violence and domestic abuse (SVA)
- Follow appropriate pathways for referrals into community services.
- Contribute to the development and maintaining of health's role in service provision for victims of Sexual Violence.
- To provide guidance and training about the service to health. professionals in order for them to identify and refer potential victims of SVA.
- To maintain key working relationship with professionals including but not limited to health, social care, police, charities and other agencies.
- Liaison with and working in conjunction with a variety of internal departments and external agencies.
- Communicating with members of the public, victims, witnesses, and other professionals from outside agencies.
- Assess the needs and risk of victims of sexual violence, offering information about their options to enable them to make an informed decision about their care.
- Provide impartial and accurate information on reporting to the police and/or civil justice remedies.
- Operate within legal and professional boundaries at all times and ensure a thorough understanding of the legal limitations of SVA support.
- Work with victims of sexual violence to help them access services to keep them safe.
- Make sure that Independent Sexual Violence Advisor national standards and procedures are observed, particularly those relating to safe practice, confidentiality, and information sharing.
About us
We operatefrom three main hospitals-Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), and Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) in Kendal, as well as a number of community healthcare premises including Millom Hospital and GP Practice, Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe, andUlverstonCommunity Health Centre.
FGH and the RLI have a range of General Hospital services, with full Emergency Departments, Critical/Coronary Care units and various Consultant-led services.
WGH provides a range of General Hospital services, together with an Urgent Treatment Centre, that can help with a range of non-life threatening conditions such as broken bones and minor illnesses.
All three main hospitals provide a range of planned care including outpatients, diagnostics, therapies,daycase and inpatient surgery. In addition, a range of local outreach services and diagnostics are provided from community facilities across Morecambe Bay.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To provide support and safety planning to victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse (SVA)
- Follow appropriate pathways for referrals into community services.
- Contribute to the development and maintaining of healths role in service provision for victims of Sexual Violence.
- To provide guidance and training about the service to health. professionals in order for them to identify and refer potential victims of SVA.
- To maintain key working relationship with professionals including but not limited to health, social care, police, charities and other agencies.
- Liaison with and working in conjunction with a variety of internal departments and external agencies.
- Communicating with members of the public, victims, witnesses, and other professionals from outside agencies.
- Assess the needs and risk of victims of sexual violence, offering information about their options to enable them to make an informed decision about their care.
- Provide impartial and accurate information on reporting to the police and/or civil justice remedies.
- Operate within legal and professional boundaries at all times and ensure a thorough understanding of the legal limitations of SVA support.
- Work with victims of sexual violence to help them access services to keep them safe.
- Make sure that Independent Sexual Violence Advisor national standards and procedures are observed, particularly those relating to safe practice, confidentiality, and information sharing.
- Manage referrals as needed.
- Maintain records of all cases and provide data as requested and contribute to monitoring information for the project. Making senior managers aware of any successes or escalate issue.
- Follow procedures and protocols with other services so that the safety of the clients is kept central to any process.
- Consider child protection issues when engaging with clients assaulted in a domestic setting and follow child protection policies.
- Support colleagues, through peer supervision, and partner agencies, through awareness raising and institutional advocacy, to provide the best possible service to victims of sexual violence.
- Promote the Health ISVA service externally and represent the organisation when required.
- Engage with regional ISVA colleagues and specialist agencies to share learning and best practice.
- Work within a multi-agency setting and keep the clients safety central to all coordinated responses (this may include participation in the MARRAC).
- To demonstrate a strong commitment to delivering high standards to the service with an emphasis on quality at all times.
- Respect the diversity of the community in which the project works, and support clients to access services on an equitable basis.
- Comply with legal, regulatory, ethical and social requirements.
- Promote a health and safety culture within the workplace.
- Attend line management supervision and clinical supervision.
- Be able to work flexible hours where necessary.
- To be responsible for improving your performance by participating in the continuous Personal Development (CPD) process with your manager.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To provide support and safety planning to victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse (SVA)
- Follow appropriate pathways for referrals into community services.
- Contribute to the development and maintaining of healths role in service provision for victims of Sexual Violence.
- To provide guidance and training about the service to health. professionals in order for them to identify and refer potential victims of SVA.
- To maintain key working relationship with professionals including but not limited to health, social care, police, charities and other agencies.
- Liaison with and working in conjunction with a variety of internal departments and external agencies.
- Communicating with members of the public, victims, witnesses, and other professionals from outside agencies.
- Assess the needs and risk of victims of sexual violence, offering information about their options to enable them to make an informed decision about their care.
- Provide impartial and accurate information on reporting to the police and/or civil justice remedies.
- Operate within legal and professional boundaries at all times and ensure a thorough understanding of the legal limitations of SVA support.
- Work with victims of sexual violence to help them access services to keep them safe.
- Make sure that Independent Sexual Violence Advisor national standards and procedures are observed, particularly those relating to safe practice, confidentiality, and information sharing.
- Manage referrals as needed.
- Maintain records of all cases and provide data as requested and contribute to monitoring information for the project. Making senior managers aware of any successes or escalate issue.
- Follow procedures and protocols with other services so that the safety of the clients is kept central to any process.
- Consider child protection issues when engaging with clients assaulted in a domestic setting and follow child protection policies.
- Support colleagues, through peer supervision, and partner agencies, through awareness raising and institutional advocacy, to provide the best possible service to victims of sexual violence.
- Promote the Health ISVA service externally and represent the organisation when required.
- Engage with regional ISVA colleagues and specialist agencies to share learning and best practice.
- Work within a multi-agency setting and keep the clients safety central to all coordinated responses (this may include participation in the MARRAC).
- To demonstrate a strong commitment to delivering high standards to the service with an emphasis on quality at all times.
- Respect the diversity of the community in which the project works, and support clients to access services on an equitable basis.
- Comply with legal, regulatory, ethical and social requirements.
- Promote a health and safety culture within the workplace.
- Attend line management supervision and clinical supervision.
- Be able to work flexible hours where necessary.
- To be responsible for improving your performance by participating in the continuous Personal Development (CPD) process with your manager.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE English and Maths (Grade C/4 or above).
- An approved and accredited Independent Sexual Violence Advisor qualification or willingness to work towards this
- Experience of working with victims of sexual violence or similar trauma.
- Understanding of the facts and myths of sexual violence and rape trauma syndrome, the long term mental health effects of sexual violence, self-harm, suicidal feelings and suicidal attempts
- Experience of advocacy work including undertaking risk assessments; safety and support planning and management of cases where complex needs are present
- Knowledge of legal framework, national and local policies and strategies in all aspects of violence against women and girls and in relation to statutory responsibilities for Health.
- Excellent communication skills with ability to communicate effectively across all disciplines.
- Good time management skills with ability to work under pressure and to deadlines
Desirable
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Experience of managing projects
- Experience in working collaboratively with other professionals and agencies with complex issues and in complex situations
- Thorough knowledge of safeguarding practice, procedures and legislation.
- Excellent presentation skills with ability to support and educate others in relation to sexual violence and domestic abuse
- Experience of using Teams.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE English and Maths (Grade C/4 or above).
- An approved and accredited Independent Sexual Violence Advisor qualification or willingness to work towards this
- Experience of working with victims of sexual violence or similar trauma.
- Understanding of the facts and myths of sexual violence and rape trauma syndrome, the long term mental health effects of sexual violence, self-harm, suicidal feelings and suicidal attempts
- Experience of advocacy work including undertaking risk assessments; safety and support planning and management of cases where complex needs are present
- Knowledge of legal framework, national and local policies and strategies in all aspects of violence against women and girls and in relation to statutory responsibilities for Health.
- Excellent communication skills with ability to communicate effectively across all disciplines.
- Good time management skills with ability to work under pressure and to deadlines
Desirable
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Experience of managing projects
- Experience in working collaboratively with other professionals and agencies with complex issues and in complex situations
- Thorough knowledge of safeguarding practice, procedures and legislation.
- Excellent presentation skills with ability to support and educate others in relation to sexual violence and domestic abuse
- Experience of using Teams.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
