Swindon SARC Crisis Worker - BANK

First Light; Swindon; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Programme

Wellbeing group & support services

Annual pay review and pension scheme

Disability Confident Employer

Job summary

First Light is seeking a Crisis Worker to join the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) team in Swindon on a bank contract. You will provide trauma-informed crisis support to victims of rape and sexual assault, working within a forensic, client-centered environment.

Responsibilities include crisis line coverage, advocacy during examinations, and coordination with the SARC team. The role requires travel to related sites in Wiltshire on occasion and attendance at monthly meetings.

Qualifications

• Provide crisis support to individuals who have experienced rape or sexual assault and who may report or not report to the police.
• Attend to clients with sensitivity, ensuring a safe and confidential environment.
• Liaise with on-duty examiner and other team members to support forensic processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide crisis management and emotional support to victims.
• Answer the SARC Crisis Line during on-call shifts.
• Attend SARC and support forensic medical processes as an advocate for the victim.
• Provide information and referrals to onward support services.
• Create and maintain client records on the SARC CMS.
• Ensure client wellbeing during examination and communicate with examiner.

Skills

Crisis support

Trauma-informed care

Client advocacy

Communication skills

Tools

SARC CMS

Job description

Salary :

£45.84 per 12 hours on call shift, £14.62 Hourly rate for those hours attending a call out to the SARC and supporting a client through the forensic examination (minimum 4 hours paid), £13.10 per hour for admin support, attending all relevant meetings and training.

Base :

Local SARC: 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

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 Wiltshere.
• 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.

Deadline for receipt of applications:

09:00 30th November 2026.

Expected date for interviews:

To be arranged with successful candidates

If you do not hear from us within 5 working days of the closure, please assume you have been unsuccessful at this time.