Job Description

Family Matters (FM) is looking for an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor to work with gangs, based in  West Kent.

FM is an independent charity for people affected by sexual crime in Kent.  FM are looking to appoint an ISVA who is skilled and knowledgeable in working specifically with children and YP who have been victims of gangs or subject to CSE.

Your primary role will be to provide a pro-active service for children/YP and adults who have experienced sexual violence, when required within and outside the criminal justice system, throughout Kent.

You will need to build trust with the children and YP in order to explore and help address risky behaviours, relationships and situations they find themselves in. Whilst balancing this with your duty for protection, following agency guidelines and the rights of the children and YP. Helping them to make new choices about their future lives.

 We are seeking to employ professionals who have a worked in the industry for a considerable period of time, who have knowledge of the practices and programmes that are available to support and enable the CYP to make other choices.  They would have proven connections within this field already and be able to work in a multi-agency way with Early Help, social care, offender management, health and education, probation, police, schools who would be instrumental in helping us to identify CYP at risk of exclusion. Training would be provided on an ongoing basis.

You will be expected to obtain accreditation in the ISVA role if you do not already have them.

 You will be working closely with the children and YP who might be victims of violence or pressured into doing things like stealing or carrying drugs or weapons. They might be abused, exploited and put into dangerous situations.

You will need connections within all the local communities in order to help and support them through these times. You will also be responsible for identifying and risk managing safeguarding measures relating to the victims.

You will need the skill set to make reports that help others to identify, and improve the safety of the children and YP’s. Using your knowledge to develop strategies to prevent and disrupt the behaviour of perpetrators.

You would be required to work from our Gravesend HQ as a base. However a considerable amount of your time would be using outreach work, to spread the news of the new service and what FM can offer, by promoting events within the various communities.  The persons we employ need to be skilled in social media as a means of contacting and keeping the CYP’s involved in their future.

You will have good partnership connections as you will be working closely with them to enable our service to be seen as the provider of good working relationships with other professionals and the CYP.

Your role would involve risk assessment, which may be the family as well as the child/Y/P, helping them access their rights, along with health and other services they require, monitoring and keeping victims informed of case progress and providing support through the criminal justice system.

You must have extensive experience of planning and delivering caseloads, with strong crisis management skills and an understanding of the needs of victims experiencing sexual violence, particularly adults. You will have an approved and accredited ISVA qualification or a willingness to undertake the ISVA qualification.

You will be required to attend relevant meetings and will provide regular reports to your line manager and also undertake talks and presentations to local groups and agencies on the work of Family Matters, developing networks and partnerships and increasing the role of the service in the community. Good IT skills, knowledge of criminal justice issues and an understanding of the effects a court appearance can have on victims and witnesses of crime are also essential. You will be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with people from all areas of the community and be able to assist with the monitoring, evaluation and administration of written statistical reports on the project management for our external funders.

Hours: 21 hours per week. Between the hours of 8am-8pm when required, Monday to Friday. 3 days per week equivalent.

Pro rata Salary: £15,996 for the 21 hour role. £13,840 pro rata if not qualified but training will be provided to reach this qualification and salary when qualified.

Person specification

Essential – Personal qualities

An empathetic, non-judgemental and compassionate attitude and a genuine desire to support those affected by rape or sexual abuse.

Sound knowledge of the Criminal Justice System

Previous proven work with Gangs children/Young People

Good report writing

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to provide emotional support to others and quickly build a rapport with our clients in person or over telephone, email or instant messenger.

A calm and confident approach to supporting clients who may be vulnerable or distressed.

Exemplary communication skills with the ability to listen to, understand and address the requirements, concerns and questions of our clients.

Excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritise work

A team-player with a positive outlook and strong work ethic.

Self-awareness and emotional resilience.

Essential – Knowledge, Qualifications or Training

A good standard of English language.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Knowledge of office management systems and procedures

A confident computer user with good ICT skills.

An awareness of confidentiality, data protection, safeguarding and appropriate boundaries.

Family Matters is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk and adopts strict measures to ensure the safety of its clients. Family Matters expects all staff to work within its safeguarding policies and procedures. All staff undertake enhanced DBS checks

. You will be working in line with the Department of Education’s ‘Working together to safeguard children’ (DfE, 2018b)

Desirable: ISVA accreditation

Please send a CV and covering letter detailing your suitability for this role and why you want to work for Family Matters.