Independent Victim Advocate

We have an exciting opportunity for a Caseworker (known internally as an Independent Victim Advocate
- IVA) to join our team in Cumbria, working 37.5 hours a week.

Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improvement for those who need it?

Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care?

If yes, then we’d love to hear from you

**County/Borough**
- Cumbria

**Office location**
- Cockermouth CA130RJ

**Full time/Part time**
- Full time

**Hours per week**
- 37.5

**Work schedule**
- Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm with requirement to work 1 late shift on a rota basis 10am - 6pm. To be agreed with line manager

**Basic Salary**
- £25,500 P/A

**Allowances**
- Travel expenses

**Contract type**
- Permanent

**DBS required?**
- Yes

**Police vetting required?**
- Yes

**Closing Date**
- 13/06/2023

**Ref No**
- 4941

**What we offer**:
At Victim Support we believe in attracting & retaining the best people and offer a competitive rewards & benefits package including:

- Flexible working options including hybrid working
- 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 30 days plus Bank Holidays
- An extra day off for your birthday
- £500 bonus paid on successful completion of probationary period (pro-rata for part time roles). (delete if not required)
- Pension with 5% employer contribution
- Enhanced sick pay allowances & maternity payments
- High Street, retail, holiday, entertainment & leisure discounts
- Access to our financial wellbeing hub & salary deducted finance
- Employee assistance programme & wellbeing support
- Ongoing training & support with opportunities for career development & progression

**About the role**:
This role is based in Cumbria, flexible hours available & hybrid working with a requirement to travel across the County in line with business & training needs.

As a Caseworker (Independent Victim Advocate) you will:
Play a vital role in delivering structured support services to victims of crime to assist them cope and recover. The key role of a Caseworker (IVA) is to provide a quality support service (emotional, practical, advocacy, information advice and guidance) and working collaboratively with other key stakeholders to address the impact on crime on service users and ensure their interventions are delivered to assist in cope and recovery.

Ensure the delivery of excellent services to victims of crime through the direct provision of information and practical and emotional help, ensuring that the overall aim of helping people cope and recover from the effects of crime is achieved.

Undertake effective need and risk assessments of the victim and circumstances, assessing individual level of need, possible options for support or identifying suitable additional services through other agencies and managing any risks.

Providing emotional and practical support to victims from the point of crime, and onwards throughout the criminal justice process.

You will need:
To have experience of delivering an empowerment modelled case working service to service users in either a statutory, voluntary or community setting. You will have an excellent understanding of the requirements of confidentiality and safe working practices, robust recording and excellent IT skills.

You will be able to work confidently without direct supervision and be able to deal effectively with competing and conflicting demands in an organised manner, as well as having good problem-solving skills. You will be responsible for providing a cope and recovery support service as part of a team, varying from brief interventions to long term support services over the telephone or face to face depending on clients' needs.

An active commitment to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion is essential. You will need to be flexible with working hours in order to meet the needs of the role. All staff work collaboratively with other organisations and contribute to seamless services. Plus adding value to the work of the organisation e.g., building networks, providing both professional and quality delivery, building reputation.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

**About us**:
**About Us**:
Victim Support (VS) is an independent charity providing a range of specialist services to people who have been affected by crime across England and Wales. We work towards a world where there are fewer victims but who have stronger rights, better support and a real influence in the Criminal Justice System. Everyone at VS is driven by our Vision Ambitions and Values to play their part in making a difference for those who experience crime and traumatic events. Working for VS gives you the opportunity to play a key role in a national charity providing high quality services to victims and witnesses and being a vital force for change.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and pr