Independent victims advocate jobs in Bristol

We are looking for a dedicated and compassionate Domestic Abuse Caseworker to support victims of crime.

The service provides support across the whole geography of Avon & Somerset. This role involves making initial contact with victims of domestic abuse and other crimes, providing support in a dynamic and ever-changing environment. The role is full-time and is hybrid between Bridewell Police Station in central Bristol and home working. A suitable and confidential workspace at home is therefore required.

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…

What we offer

At Victim Support, we are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent. Our competitive rewards and benefits package includes:

• Flexible Working Options: Including hybrid working.
• Generous Annual Leave: 28 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 33 days plus Bank Holidays, with options to buy or sell annual leave.
• Birthday Leave: An extra day off for your birthday.
• Pension Plan: 5% employer contribution.
• Enhanced Allowances: Enhanced sick pay, maternity, and paternity payments.
• Exclusive Discounts: High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment, and leisure discounts.
• Financial Wellbeing: Access to our financial wellbeing hub and salary-deducted finance.
• Wellbeing Support: Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
• Inclusive Networks: Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes.
• Sustainable Travel: Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans.
• Career Development: Ongoing training and support with opportunities for career progression.

About the Role

As a Domestic Abuse Caseworker you will provide high quality support to victims of domestic abuse and other crimes, leading on completing initial impact and risk assessments that are comprehensive and holistic. You will also contribute to providing cover for the local VS Helpline.

Key Responsibilities:

• Effectively managing a caseload of service users, delivering excellent services which support the commissioners and their service goals to victims. Undertake initial proactive contact with victims, explaining VS services and promoting the benefits of accessing support.
• 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. This will be delivered face to face, via telephone, video-chat, text and/or email based on the preferences of the client.
• 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 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.
• Identify barriers to individuals accessing our services and determine solutions. Work with multi-agency partners to which victims can be referred for ongoing and specialist support such as housing, social services and health provision.
• Maintain accurate and confidential case records, complying with data protection and all other legislation connected to your work.

About You:

You will need:

• An understanding of the impact of crime on victims such as anti-social behavior, domestic abuse, sexual violence and hate crime.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering services and working directly within a statutory, voluntary or multi agency setting(s).
• Ability to balance competing needs and priorities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• A successful track record of building effective working relationships across internal and external stakeholders.

This role involves regular travel and due to the location, a driving license and access to a vehicle is considered an essential requirement. If you are unable to drive because of a disability, please indicate this in your application in your personal statement so we can explore the feasibility of alternative arrangements.

About Us:

Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. We put them at the heart of our organisation and our support and campaigns are informed and shaped by them and their experiences.

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.

At Victim Support, we're proud to celebrate diversity and create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to being an antiracist organisation, and we actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from Black and Asian and other minoritised communities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet all essential criteria for a job where it is practicable to do so. We are also happy to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment and selection process.

How to apply:

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date. If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.