About this role
Job summary
The Saint Mary's Centre are looking to recruit an experienced and/or qualified ISVA to cover 12 months maternity leave. The applicant will provide trauma informed advocacy support to adult clients with diverse needs, within the context of an independent and non-judgmental service. To assess and identify the risk and support needs of adult ISVA clients, by undertaking and reviewing comprehensive assessments of need, ensuring accessibility, engagement and tailoring to the needs of the client. Providing support and advocacy to adults who are engaging or who are considering engaging with the criminal justice system, advising of options, signposting and supporting to liaise and engage with appropriate agencies and services. Working collaboratively with other professionals and agencies to ensure the best outcome and support for the client.
Main duties of the job
To provide trauma informed advocacy support to adult clients with diverse needs, within the context of an independent and non- judgmental service.
To identify the risk and support needs of adult ISVA clients, by undertaking and reviewing comprehensive assessments of need, ensuring accessibility, engagement and tailored to the needs of the client.
In collaboration with the client, create, implement, co-ordinate and review support plans.
To provide information, advice and guidance to adult ISVA clients, signposting and making appropriate external referrals where appropriate.
To offer impartial advice, information and support to adult ISVA clients who are considering reporting their experience to criminal justice agencies and advocating for them to make their own choices.
To support adult ISVA clients who have reported their experience and who are engaged with the criminal justice system, advising the client ofprocedures, processes and their roles and rights within the system, adhering to the Victims Code. To keep accurate, timely and appropriate records, including activity data collection.
About us
Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.
Job description Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Documents to download heading.
Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming onestop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. Youll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.
To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Documents to download heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.
Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.
Diversity MattersMFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.
What is a DBS Check?
A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:
Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.
Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police thats considered relevant to the role.
Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the childrens and/or adults barred lists.
Who Needs a DBS Check
Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.
The Costs for a DBS
At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.
For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december
DBS Update Service
Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
ISVA or sexual violence training Good standard of Education.
Desirable
Social Work Qualification Counselling Training Sexual Violence training
Experience & Knowledge Essential
Excellent knowledge and understanding of the issues relating to sexual violence, the impact upon and needs of victims. Knowledge and concise experience of adult and children safeguarding protection, procedures and legislation. Experience of working with people facing multiple and complex challenges, including risk assessment, support planning and supporting people in emotional distress. Experience of multi-agency partnership working to plan support for people. Experience of setting and maintaining clear boundaries in a support capacity. Experience of previously working holding a caseload of clients. A good understanding of data protection and confidential working practices.
Desirable
Understanding and experience of working for a large diverse organisation and the responsibilities this brings. Previous experience of working within criminal justice agencies Experience in working with victims of sexual violence. Experience of working with people in crisis and/or who have experienced trauma. Experience of offering telephone support such as Samaritans. Understanding of diversity issues. Understanding of SARC services.
Skills Essential
Ability and previous experience of risk, needs and support assessment and the ability to implement and review support plans. Ability to prioritise, plan and managing own workload. Ability to demonstrate working on own initiative and be self motivated Evidence of excellent written and verbal communication skills. Excellent team working skills and ability to build positive relationships with colleagues and partner agencies. Full, clean driving licence and the ability to travel across Greater Manchester. Ability to utilise clinical and case supervision effectively
Desirable
Ability to adapt communication and support approaches to meet the needs of clients with diverse needs Experience of delivering training.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship 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).
Employer details Employer name Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Address Peter Mount Building
Off Hathersage Road
Manchester
M13 0HY
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)