Independent Victim Advocate

Victim Support; York and North Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 9,100 - 12,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Working Options

Generous Annual Leave

Birthday Leave

Pension Plan

Enhanced Allowances

Exclusive Discounts

Financial Wellbeing

Wellbeing Support

Inclusive Networks

Sustainable Travel

Career Development

Job summary

Victim Support is recruiting an Independent Victim Advocate (IVA) for North Yorkshire. The role is part time (18.5 hours per week), flexible in scheduling, and fixed-term until 31 March 2029. The position combines home-based and office-based work with travel across North Yorkshire.

The role focuses on frontline support for people affected by crime, including initial assessment, ongoing support, and case-management updates in a supportive, inclusive environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in providing support to victims of crime or related settings.
• Ability to assess risk and safety, and to maintain professional boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Make contact with victims referred to the service.
• Perform an initial assessment and provide shorter term or ongoing support.
• Update the case management system and maintain records.
• Support individuals affected by crime to cope and recover.

Skills

Empathy

Active listening

Communication

Caseload experience

Confidentiality

Job description

We are looking for an Independent Victim Advocate (IVA) who is passionate, empathic and professional, to join our team of North Yorkshire based advocates and provide support services to anyone affected by crime.

The role is part time at 18.5 hours per week which can be worked flexibly. It is a fixed term role currently in place until 31st March 2029.

We are looking for someone to work in a hybrid position with some home based and some office based working with travel required across North Yorkshire.

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 an Independent Vitim Advocate, you will be required to make contact with victims of crime referred to the service, perform an initial assessment and provide shorter term or ongoing support depending on the needs of the individual.

Key Responsibilities:

• Initial assessment of need, risk and safety
• Update the case management system
• Support individuals affected by crime to cope and recover
• Use a range of techniques including listening skills, resources and support skills

About You

Ideally, you will have some experience of holding a caseload, working with people to give support and information and have some knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice system.

You will need:

• to understand the impact of crime
• Have effective communication skills
• Have a track record of successfully delivering services
• An understanding of equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion
• the ability to balance priorities and needs and work independently
• to maintain professional boundaries
• An understanding of confidentiality and data protection requirements

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 will 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.