Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic and dynamic individual to join us to further develop a new service within the Trust Safeguarding team as an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA).
The ISVA will work directly with victims and survivors in the hospital, both patients and staff, providing emotional and practical support and information for recent and non-recent rape and sexual violence/abuse, and enabling victims and survivors to access the services they need in the aftermath of the abuse they have experienced.
The ISVA will have a regular caseload including supporting survivors from hard-to-reach groups, providing individual support which will vary from client to client. This includes providing them with the right information so that they can make informed decisions about whether to seek justice through the criminal justice system.
With an excellent understanding of delivering needs-led and trauma sensitive services, the ISVA will provide life-changing support to victims and survivors of sexual violence and abuse.
Applications are welcome from individuals who are trained ISVAs or equivalent experience.
This is a full-time post with a fixed term contract until March 2025.
Interviews will take place during the week of the 4th September 2023
For further information please contact
Bonita Sparkes Named Nurse Safeguarding Adults or Emma Covey CNS Adul safeguarding 01923 217009/01923217294
Main duties of the job
The Hospital ISVA will work within the Trust's Safeguarding team. They will work directly with victims and survivors in the hospital, both patients and staff, who have experienced sexual violence /abuse either recent or historical, providing emotional and practical support and information and enabling victims and survivors to access the services they need in the aftermath of the abuse they have experienced.
The ISVA will have a regular caseload including supporting survivors from hard-to-reach groups, providing individual support which will vary from client to client. This includes providing them with the right information so that they can make informed decisions about their health, wellbeing, safety and whether to seek justice through the criminal justice system.
About us
There has never been a more exciting time to join West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust! Major redevelopment works are planned as part of the New Hospital Programme. These will be most dramatic at Watford General Hospital where up to 90% of buildings will be new.
The trust has recently gained 'teaching hospital' status which reflects the dedicated work of many teams and individuals who have set the standard for delivering high quality training, learning and education at all levels of the workforce.
We encourage and welcome people with disabilities. If you need help, please ask.
We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To provide a combination of advocacy and support to anyone affected by sexual violence/abuse and/or domestic abuse both recent and historic.
- To have a visible presence to clinical areas throughout the Trust in particular the unscheduled care settings and maternity units
- To provide a prompt response to patients referred to ISVA/IDVA service.
- Provide face to face (Inc. online platforms), telephone, practical and emotional, support to patients.
- Assess the risk and support needs of victims and survivors and develop individual support plans to address risks/support needs of patients.
- As part of risk assessments of clients, ensure safety plans are in place with the clients agreement and are shared with other agencies involved.
- Liaise with the police, CPS, and other service providers on behalf of the client.
- Keep the client informed about case progress in line with the requirements of the Victims Code of practice
- Support ISVA / IDVA clients through the criminal justice system, explaining the procedures and their role and rights within that system supporting the service user in making statements and attending court.
- Advocate for special measures and attend pre-trial visits and CPS meetings as required.
- Support the client, if they do not wish to report to the police, with understanding their options and helping them to provide intelligence to the police if they choose, as well as then supporting them to get any other help they may need.
- Working with the safeguarding team, develop and promote a referral system and pathway to enable Trust staff to refer to the ISVA/IDVA service.
- Work to promote the role of the ISVA/IDVA across key areas of the Trust.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To provide a combination of advocacy and support to anyone affected by sexual violence/abuse and/or domestic abuse both recent and historic.
- To have a visible presence to clinical areas throughout the Trust in particular the unscheduled care settings and maternity units
- To provide a prompt response to patients referred to ISVA/IDVA service.
- Provide face to face (Inc. online platforms), telephone, practical and emotional, support to patients.
- Assess the risk and support needs of victims and survivors and develop individual support plans to address risks/support needs of patients.
- As part of risk assessments of clients, ensure safety plans are in place with the clients agreement and are shared with other agencies involved.
- Liaise with the police, CPS, and other service providers on behalf of the client.
- Keep the client informed about case progress in line with the requirements of the Victims Code of practice
- Support ISVA / IDVA clients through the criminal justice system, explaining the procedures and their role and rights within that system supporting the service user in making statements and attending court.
- Advocate for special measures and attend pre-trial visits and CPS meetings as required.
- Support the client, if they do not wish to report to the police, with understanding their options and helping them to provide intelligence to the police if they choose, as well as then supporting them to get any other help they may need.
- Working with the safeguarding team, develop and promote a referral system and pathway to enable Trust staff to refer to the ISVA/IDVA service.
- Work to promote the role of the ISVA/IDVA across key areas of the Trust.
Person Specification
Your application will be scored against the JD/ Person Specification
Essential
- 0 - does not meet the person specification 1 - reserved meets some person specification requirements 2 - Meets all person specification requirements
Person Specification
Your application will be scored against the JD/ Person Specification
Essential
- 0 - does not meet the person specification 1 - reserved meets some person specification requirements 2 - Meets all person specification requirements
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).
