Sexual Assault Referral Centre Crisis Worker
Salary: £45.84 per 12 hours on call shift
Base: Swindon SARC, The Gables, Shrivenham Road, South Marston Swindon SN3 4RB
Hours of work: 12 hour on-call shift, either 07:00 - 19:15 or 19:00 to 07:15. The SARC is open 365 days per year.
Contract: BANK contract
About the Role
To work as part of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) as a bank Crisis Worker. Working as a member of a small, dedicated team, providing on call services to victims of rape and sexual assault. There may be instances where travel to other sites in Wiltshire is required to support clients, for example in a hospital setting.
As a Crisis Worker you will be providing specialist trauma support (training provided) and working within a forensically clean environment, supporting the victim, offering a forensic medical examination (carried out by a trained Sexual Offence Examiner) and providing the victim with information for onward support services.
As part of your induction process, the role requires a commitment from the successful candidate to attend the office one weekday per week for the first month of employment from 09:00 - 17:00.
It is expected that all Crisis Workers will attend the monthly team meeting on the third week of each month from 17:30 - 19:00.
Key responsibilities:
- To provide support and crisis management to individuals who have experienced rape or sexual assault who have reported to the police or who may not wish to report to the police.
- Must be able to answer the SARC Crisis Line at any time during their on-call shift.
- To attend the SARC and offer support through the forensic medical process, acting as an advocate on behalf of the victim.
- To provide support and information to clients accessing the service.
- To make onward safeguarding referrals to the appropriate services where required.
- Creating client records on the SARC Client Management System
- Assume responsibility for the client during examination and act wholeheartedly in their best interests, taking decisions to protect their wellbeing at all times.
- To liaise with the on-duty Sexual Offence Examiner (SOE) on behalf of client. This may include assisting the Sexual Offence Examiner with collection of DNA and Early Evidence Kits (EEKs)
- To work as part of the Crisis Worker Team and with forensic nurse/medical examiners in the delivery of high standards of service and clinical care. You will provide vital information to assist the clients in making informed decisions about their care and choices.
- To attend / complete all training associated with the role, whether in person or online within agreed timeframe.
- To perform a forensic clean of the SARC suite after each case (training and equipment will be provided).
- To provide support at outreach and engagement events with the Swindon SARC team in communities across Wiltshire.
- To provide cover for the Swindon SARC admin team during times of staff shortages.
Essential requirements:
- Due to the nature of the role the post holder will be required to provide a DNA sample for process elimination with the forensic provider for both the Swindon and Gloucester SARC's. They will also be required to be Police vetted.
- Full clean driving licence, use of a car and business insurance are essential.
- The successful candidate will need to be able to reach the Swindon SARC within 90 minutes of call out or Gloucester SARC within 2 hours of call out – this is inclusive of busy summer periods when traffic flow is higher than usual.
- There is a requirement to adhere to the GDPR Policy always whilst in the SARC. You will be exposed to highly sensitive information and your engagement should be within the context of a non-judgmental and confidential service.
- There may be a requirement to work outside of the set working hours due to length of time supporting a victim in the SARC. Any additional hours will be paid.
Added benefits:
- Access to external supervision to discuss personal or emotional responses to traumatic cases, to ensure emotional and psychological wellbeing.
- Health and wellbeing resources including our staff Wellbeing Group, Staff Consultation Committee and active participation in our employee engagement platform.
- Access to an Employee Assistance Programme which includes a 24/7 telephone helpline offering medical, emotional and financial support.
- Working for an organisation committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, and all backgrounds regardless of age, race, faith, disability, sex, gender identity or sexuality. First Light are a Disability Confident Committed Employer.
- Annual pay review and employer contribution pension scheme.
Additional Information: If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be subject to a social media check as part of our Safer Recruitment process. Any potential future offer of employment will be contingent on the satisfactory result of this social media check, conducted by a third-party organisation. The successful applicant will also be subject to a Disclosure & Barring check as part of our Safer Recruitment process.
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for First Light, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application.
Safeguarding requirements we are unable to accept CVs as part of your application or employ any candidate who has been a client of First Light within the last two years.
Please complete the application form at the bottom of this page and click submit. Ensure that you outline your relevant experience and evidence suitability for the role against the role profile, which is a combined job description and person specification
