ISVA

Are you looking for a rewarding role within an intersectional feminist organisation? We have an incredible opportunity for an Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (IDVA) to join Solace Women’s Aid.

Solace exists to end the harm done through gender-based violence. We work to prevent violence and abuse and provide services to meet the individual needs of survivors, particularly women and children.

Our core values reflect our history and were developed in consultation with staff and service users. Feminism and intersectionality are key to our work, and we are committed to the principles of being survivor-led, trauma-informed, empowering, diverse, anti-racist and anti-discriminatory.

About the Service

North London Rape Crisis offers range of services to women, trans women, and non-binary people age 11 + who are experiencing or have experienced any form of sexual violence in their lives. We offer a safe and non-judgmental space to women living, working, or studying across London with focus on seven North London boroughs.

Our expert team provides helpline support, advocacy (ISVA) support including specialised ISVAS for women with multiple disadvantages and young women. We also provide one to one and group counselling to survivors as well as short term one to one counselling support to survivor’s family and friends. It is an inclusive service and support all ages, disabilities, sexualities, gender identities including non-binary, ethnicities, and religions.

About the Role

The role of Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA) is within our Rape Crisis service in North London. You will work within a multi-disciplinary team to provide a pro-active emotional, practical and advocacy support for survivors who have experienced any form of sexual violence and are engaging (or considering engaging) with the criminal justice system.

About You

The ideal candidate will have completed ISVA training, or have a willingness to undertake ISVA training, and have experience of supporting women affected by sexual violence. You will have a clear understanding of the effects of and issues facing women who have experienced sexual violence, as well as understanding of the Criminal Justice System. You will be able to communicate with people from a range of backgrounds and create good working relationship with service users as well as partner agencies.

Additional Information

This is a hybrid role. The postholder will be required to attend our Head Office in Camden at a minimum of two days per week with the remainder working remotely. Due to the nature of the job role the postholder will be required to work throughout the area to attend court, providing service user support at police stations, as well as general appointments.

What we can offer you

We provide a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees, including:

• Flexible working
• Focus on learning and development (internal career progression and training)
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Employer pension contribution
• Family-friendly leave and enhanced maternity pay
• Access to Inclusion Networks
• Daily clinical debriefing
• Two paid wellbeing days
• Employee Assistance Programme providing free 24/7 support and advice
• Employee Benefits Platform offering staff discounts, benefits, and savings
• Flow & Restore yoga classes
• Meditation sessions
• Cycle to Work Scheme

How to apply

Please submit your CV and Supporting Statement through the recruitment portal. When applying for this role, kindly highlight in your Supporting Statement how your values, knowledge, transferable skills, and experience align with each point within the following sections of the Job Profile Document:

• Values, Behaviours & Competencies
• Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Solace Women's Aid values diversity, promotes equity, and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, abilities, perspectives, and lived experiences.

We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay, and benefits. Our Inclusion Networks support staff with protected characteristics and offer inclusive spaces to connect.

We anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as needed and support employees who acquire a disability or long-term health condition, enabling them to stay in work. If you require any support to apply for this role, please email us at talent.acquisition@solacewomensaid.org

This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1. Section 7(2)(e) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 applies. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

As part of safer recruitment practices, we carry out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and right to work in the UK checks.

No agencies