Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (LGBTQIA+) Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA) and Referral Navigator

West Mercia Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre (WMRSASC) is a specialist sexual violence support service that has operated within Worcestershire since 1986, Herefordshire (2011) and parts of Shropshire (2019).

We deliver a range of services for survivors of all forms of rape, sexual violence, abuse, harassment and/or exploitation. We work with women, men, and children & young people (age 5+) and their families.

This current vacancy is a hybrid role that incorporates the LGBTQIA+ Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA) and the Referral Navigator. It is expected that the ISVA hours will be 22.5 with the remaining hours being undertaken in the Navigator post.

LGBTQIA+ Independent Sexual Violence Advocate:

Main Responsibilities:

• The LGBTQ+ Sexual Violence Advocate will manage an agreed caseload that will include supporting survivors who identify with the LGBTQ+ community, and clients who are questioning their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
• The role will work towards identifying barriers to accessing specialist sexual violence support, aiming to find innovative ways to overcome those barriers.
• Part of the role will be to raise the profile of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (LGBTQ+) ISVA Service across statutory and voluntary agencies, and establish positive, proactive, and innovative working relationships with partner agencies to create straightforward referral pathways for clients who identify with the LGBTQ+ community.
• Further responsibility of the post holder will be to identify specific training, capable of broadening the knowledge base of existing staff in relation to issues facing members of the LGBTQ+ community.
• Undertake risk assessment and support needs analysis with clients.
• Develop an individual support plan to address risks/support needs of clients.
• Provide face to face, telephone, and online support (non-therapeutic) to clients where appropriate.
• Explain criminal, legal, and if relevant, civil remedies and housing options to clients.
• Advocate on behalf of your client in relation to the ripple effect of sexual violence.
• Consider safeguarding issues when engaging with clients, and follow safeguarding policies/procedures, whilst keeping the needs of the client paramount.
• Provide advocacy and emotional support to clients through the criminal justice system, explaining the procedures and their role and rights within the system.
• Maintain and monitor records of all cases within a database.

Referral Navigator:

Main Responsibilities:

• Case manage and co-ordinate personalised support to individuals by providing a high-quality telephone information and support service to survivors, acting as the ‘Single Point of Contact’ (SPOC).

• Manage referrals into the service.
• Make initial contact with new clients.
• Conduct a telephone-based needs assessment.
• Manage an agreed caseload of clients that are waiting to be allocated to an Advocate

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join our team.