Independent Victim Advocate

We have an exciting opportunity for a part-time Caseworker (known internally as an Independent Victim Advocate) to join the team in Gloucestershire, working 22.5 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**
- Gloucestershire

**Office location**
- Eastgate House, 121-131 Eastgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 1PX

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

**Hours per week**
- 22.5

**Work schedule**
- Monday-Friday between the hours of 9am-8pm, shift pattern will be agreed with line manager, travel expected throughout Gloucestershire

**Basic Salary**
- £15,300.00 per annum (FTE £25,500 per annum)

**Allowances**
- Travel expenses

**Contract type**
- Permanent

**DBS required?**
- Yes

**Police vetting required?**
- No

**Closing Date**
- 17/04/2024

**Ref No**
- 5493

**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
- 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 33 days plus Bank Holidays
- An extra day off for your Birthday
- Pension with 5% employer contribution
- Enhanced sick pay allowances, maternity & paternity 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 at our Gloucester office and will require regular travel within the Gloucestershire area. Hence, holding a driving licence is essential.

As a caseworker, you will:

- Effectively manage a caseload of self-referrals or referred service users, delivering excellent services which support the commissioners and their service goals to victims.
- Ensure each victim receives an individually appropriate tailored support and information service that fully meets their needs, keeping complex needs central to all processes and decisions
- Undertake risk and needs assessments to address the specific needs of the client in line with VS operating procedures. To follow relevant safeguarding policies and procedures, working with safeguarding leads and other agencies to ensure an integrated approach to address any safeguarding concerns.
- Provide information and advocacy to enable service users to navigate and understand the criminal justice process and ensure their rights are upheld in accordance with the Victims Code of Practice this could include criminal, legal and if relevant, civil remedies to service users.

You will need:

- Experience of working with vulnerable adults and/or families
- Understanding and knowledge of an active commitment to promoting equal opportunities, inclusion and diversity
- Ability to work without direct supervision, prioritise work and deal with competing or conflicting demands/ needs and interests in an organised and methodical manner
- Understanding of confidentiality and safe working practices, in accordance with safeguarding and data protection legislation
- Ability to needs assess, risk assess and empathise with the victim
- Excellent IT and administrative skills including the use of Microsoft Office packages
- High resilience and the ability to work under pressure

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

**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 promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

Victim Support strives to represent the diverse communities we serve and are passionate about creating an environment where all staff and volunteers feel respected and heard. Being a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture is integral to us being able to meet our aim of ensuring that anyone who is a victim of crime gets the support they need.

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