About this role
Job summary
Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) has been delivering services to people who have experienced sexual violence since 1986,providing forensic medical and therapeutic assessment, support and therapy services to men, women and children who live in GreaterManchester and Cheshire.We are looking for a dynamic Children and Young Person's Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA). The post offers the successful applicantthe unique opportunity of delivering high quality support and advocacy services for children and young people who have experienced sexualassault and abuse. This role also involves providing support to the families and carers.The successful applicants will be a highly motivated, resourceful individuals with a desire to support and advocate for clients at possibly one of themost vulnerable times in their life.The successful applicant will receive an induction to the ISVA role and supervision.You will have the opportunity of being a part of a SARC team with a national and international reputation for first class sexual assault services,innovation and development
Main duties of the job
This role is aimed at supporting children and young people who have experienced sexual abuse/assault (including their families/carers) throughthe civil and criminal justice investigation and prosecution whilst facilitating access to ongoing health and social care services.This role requires the post holder to work in partnership with criminal justice agencies; children and families teams; forensic physicians anddesignated/ named child protection professionals and requires highly developed communication and mediation skills.The post holder will provide an outreach support services to children and young people ensuring that their support needs are met within thecontext of a child centred service.You will have experience of working in a health or social care setting with experience of working in a challenging environment. You willdemonstrate resilience and an ability to prioritise and manage workloads.It is desirable that you have some previous experience of working with children and young people who have been affected by sexual assaultprovided.The successful post holder must be a car owner with a clean driving licence.There will be some home and community working with this role.The applicants invited to interview will be asked to complete a short 10 minute presentation.You will be part of an experienced multidisciplinary team including forensic physicians, therapists and crisis workers who work together to providehigh quality responsive services.
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
Good standard of Education.
Desirable
Accredited ISVA qualification Certificate in Counselling Skills Level 3 Safeguarding
Experience & Knowledge Essential
Excellent knowledge and understanding of the issues relating to sexual violence, the impact upon and needs of victims. Knowledge and understanding of the issues of sexual violence and the criminal justice process Recent experience of working with children, young people & their families, who have required support services. Understanding and knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures Experience of MultiAgency partnership working. Experience of carrying a caseload of clients.
Desirable
Experience of working with children and families who have experienced sexual violence and trauma. Previous experience of working within criminal justice agencies. Experience of providing telephone support; such as Samaritans. Understanding of diversity issues Understanding of SARC services Understanding and experience of working for a large diverse organisation and the responsibilities this brings.
Skills Essential
Ability to undertake a risk and support needs assessment Able to demonstrate skills in providing advocacy for clients. Ability to prioritise own work load. Ability to be able to manage a caseload of clients with competing needs and prioritise demands. Ability to network and develop specific working partnerships with other Agencies Ability to collect and collate data. Ability to prepare and write reports to present to other professionals. Ability to demonstrate own initiative and be self-motivated. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Excellent level of IT literacy and the ability to operate case management systems. Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team. Ability to utilise supervision effectively
Desirable
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)