Aylesbury Vale and Milton Keynes Sexual Assault and Abuse Support Service (AVMKSAASS) provides support, information, advice and guidance to anyone in our area affected by sexual assault and abuse, including non-recent and childhood sexual abuse.
We are currently looking to recruit a Helpline Advisor and an Advocacy Coordinator to join our growing team.
Job Title: Helpline Advisor
Location: Aylesbury or Milton Keynes
Salary: £23,080 per annum (pro rata)
Contract Type: 21 hours/week, 12 month fixed-term contract
This post is restricted to female applicants only and is exempt under Schedule 9, part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
As Helpline Advisor you’ll be the first point of contact for new service users. You’ll process referrals through our telephone helpline, support inbox, and online referral form. You’ll conduct Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) sessions with new service users, ensuring that they are referred internally and/or externally as appropriate. From time to time you may also provide regular telephone support to service users who are waiting to access counselling or other services.
We’re looking for someone who:
- Has experience in customer service or providing high quality support to members of the public.
- Demonstrates strong listening skills and maintains clear boundaries and confidentiality.
- Can confidently communicate in person and by phone, email or other channel.
- Has worked with or has an understanding of people who may have mental health difficulties, learning disabilities, etc.
- Can empathise and cope with people expressing emotional distress.
- Has a flair for solving problems.
- Promotes and supports equality, diversity and inclusion.
To succeed in the role, you are likely someone who is compassionate and non-judgmental, flexible and self-motivated, and well-organised. You’ll be aware of the impact of sexual violence on individuals and society and understand (or be prepared to learn about) the duty of safeguarding when working with people who may be at risk. Some counselling training or similar would be beneficial.
This role will be based in either our Aylesbury or Milton Keynes location, and will require travel to both offices. You may need to work occasional evening and weekend hours, but these would be kept to a minimum.
The successful candidate will require a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check.
If you would like to apply, please send a CV and covering letter to liz@avmksaass.org.uk stating why you are applying, how you meet the role requirements, and what unique qualities you’ll bring to the role.
Interviews are likely to be held on 23 and 24 June 2021.
View full job description here
Job Title: Advocacy Coordinator
Location: Aylesbury or Milton Keynes
Salary: £26,972 per annum (pro rata)
Contract Type: Part-time permanent, 21 hours/week
This post is restricted to female applicants only and is exempt under Schedule 9, part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
As Advocacy Coordinator you’ll lead a small team of staff and volunteers in providing proactive empathetic, and practical advocacy support for survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence, in line with agreed standards. You’ll manage waiting lists, allocate cases to advocacy workers, and lead a monthly peer supervision group to discuss casework and share learning and best practice. You’ll also be expected to develop and maintain effective relationships with key partners including police, CPS, court services, Victim Support, witness service, social care, education, and other voluntary and statutory sector organisations.
We’re looking for someone with experience of most or all of the following areas:
- Advocacy, ideally with vulnerable people and/or survivors of sexual violence.
- The criminal justice process (or willing to learn).
- Risk assessment and management; safety planning
- Working with multiple stakeholders.
- Safeguarding management or understanding.
- Coaching others to achieve specific objectives (formally or informally).
To succeed in the role, you’ll need strong communication skills and a flair for solving problems. You’ll be compassionate and non-judgmental, and able to handle conflict and cope with service users who may be emotionally distressed. You’ll be aware of the impact of sexual violence on individuals and society and understand (or be prepared to learn about) the duty of safeguarding when working with people who may be at risk. And you’ll need to be flexible, self-motivated, and comfortable juggling competing priorities.
This role will be based in either our Aylesbury or Milton Keynes location, and will require travel to both offices. You may need to work occasional evening and weekend hours, but these would be kept to a minimum.
The successful candidate will require a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check.
If you would like to apply, please send a CV and covering letter to liz@avmksaass.org.uk stating why you are applying, how you meet the role requirements, and what unique qualities you’ll bring to the role.
Interviews are likely to be held on 23 and 24 June 2021.