Safe Spaces Survivor Advocate

First Light is a charity supporting people in Cornwall, Devon, Wiltshire and across England and Wales who have been affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence. We are independent of statutory agencies, including the Police, and every year we help thousands of adults and children in England and Wales to lead safer lives, free from violence and abuse.

A great opportunity to work in a small, dynamic and innovative team for Safe Spaces, a free national support service for victims and survivors of church-related abuse, which offers a confidential, personal, and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with either the Church of England, The Church in Wales or The Catholic Church in England and Wales, regardless of disability, age, gender or sexual orientation.

Added Benefits:

• 25 days annual holiday entitlement increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service per annum plus bank holidays
• A comprehensive induction and training programme
• A wellbeing day per financial year (1st April to 31st March)
• 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 welcome applications from all sections of the community, and all backgrounds regardless of age, race, faith, disability, sex, gender identity or sexuality. First Light are a Disability Confident Committed Employer and have an LGBTQIA+ Staff Network.
• Annual pay review and employer contribution pension scheme.

Key responsibilities:

To work in a multi-agency setting to provide a pro-active crisis intervention service to adult victims of church related abuse. 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. The key to the success of this role is the use of advocacy and partnership working skills to ensure victims are supported and to access services to which they are entitled.

• Advocate on behalf of victims and survivors of church related abuse
• Contribute to addressing situations where there is risk of danger, harm or abuse
• Assess the needs of, and risks to victims/survivors of church related abuse
• Communicate with people from vulnerable groups
• Recognise and respond to suspected abuse of people from vulnerable groups
• Support the safeguarding and protection of people from vulnerable groups
• Communicate and engage with victims and survivors of church related abuse
• Carry out an assessment to identify the needs of and risks to victims and survivors
• Provide access to information and support for victims and survivors
• Work in partnership with agencies to address church related abuse
• Support victims and survivors of church related abuse through the court process
• Manage working relationships with victims and survivors
• Support victims to recognise their risk of church related abuse
• Promote understanding of the various forms of abuse including domestic abuse, sexual violence and abuse and spiritual abuse
• Establish requirements for special measures at court

Essential requirements:

• Experience of working with people in crisis
• Experience of risk assessments and decision making
• Well developed interpersonal skills (written and oral)

Additional Information: The successful applicant will be subject to a Disclosure & Barring and social media check as part of our Safer Recruitment process. 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: Applications will be shortlisted on receipt.

Expected date for interviews: To be arranged in consultation with successfully shortlisted candidates.

If you do not hear from us within 10 working days, please assume you have been unsuccessful this time.

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. Please complete application form at the bottom of our website. Ensure that you outline your relevant experience and evidence suitability for the role against the role profile, which is a combined job description and person specification.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £24,956.00-£26,474.00 per year

Benefits:

• Bereavement leave
• Company pension
• Flexitime
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Referral programme
• Sick pay
• Work from home

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

Work Location: Remote