Sexual & Domestic Violence Adviser (103691-0322)

Vacancy Type/Job category
Management & Professional
Department
People - Wellbeing Services
Sub Department
Wellbeing Team
Salary
£31,406 - £40,927 per annum, pro rata
Location
University of Warwick, Coventry
Vacancy Overview
Permanent position, 0.8 FTE.
The University of Warwick is seeking a highly experienced and specialist professional to join our Wellbeing Support team as our Sexual and Domestic Violence Adviser, providing the highest level of support and advice to students and staff. This post sits within Wellbeing Support Services and will liaise with key internal and external partners to represent support needs and provide specialist knowledge.
If you have experience of working with a culturally diverse student population in a further or higher education setting, or a similar institutional context/ age group, and are passionate about raising awareness in this field, we welcome your application.
As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome and encourage applications from all sections of the community regardless of their backgrounds, age, ethnicity, disability, sex/gender, gender identity or expression, religion/belief, or sexual or romantic orientation.
If you would like to discuss this vacancy informally please contact either Adam Miller at [email protected]
Interview Date: w/c 11 April 2022
Job Description
JOB PURPOSE
To provide specialist support to students or staff of the University of Warwick who have experienced sexual misconduct (a broad range of inappropriate and unwanted behaviours of a sexual nature including sexual violence) or domestic violence.
To work closely both with colleagues within the University / Students’ Union, and key external partners to ensure appropriate support is offered to all students following any report of sexual/ domestic violence. Particularly, close working will be needed with our Student Liaison Officers to ensure that as they clearly and impartially explain options available to an individual who has made a disclosure – including to raise a case formally either through internal University procedures or with the Police, the SDVA will be providing that specialist support.
As part of our prevention work to be involved in the delivery of specialist training, and awareness raising and collaborate with key stake-holders to run campaigns, develop resources etc.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Case Work
1. To offer specialist and inclusive advice and support to students and staff who have experienced any form of sexual misconduct, violence or abuse, or domestic violence including advice on health and other services they may require.
2. To tailor specialist support to the individual needs of the student.
3. To maintain accurate professional records, use appropriate levels of confidentiality, respond appropriately to any safeguarding concerns that may arise, following the University Safeguarding Policy and Procedures, collect feedback etc.
4. To clearly and impartially explain options available to an individual to raise a case formally either through internal University procedures, or with the Police.
Partnerships and Collaboration
1. To collaborate with and provide specialist advice to colleagues within the University and the SU e.g. Student Liaison Officers (SLOs), Student Discipline and Resolution Team, Warwick Accommodation, SU, personal tutors, HR – with relevant permissions – to enable staff to provide effective support to those impacted, facilitate the effective implementation of University/ SU processes e.g. risk assessments and accompanying actions and support effective outreach.
2. To collate reports and share relevant data, to help identify trends which will contribute to the continuous improvement of University/ SU support in this area.
3. External liaison: To continue to grow effective partnerships with local SARC and sexual violence support agencies providing ISVA support, local domestic violence support agencies etc to allow for seamless referrals, as and when appropriate and to liaise with any other relevant external agencies (e.g. Police/ Bluesky) on behalf of students/ staff, where required.
4. To keep updated on relevant, local, regional and national best practice and share that across the relevant teams.
5. To participate in relevant institutional committees and working groups and contribute to the development of service policies, protocols, guidelines etc.
Awareness Raising and Training
1. To proactively engage with the University community at all levels to ensure consistent positive messaging around consent and healthy relationships, through running training and awareness sessions, often in collaboration with colleagues (e.g. for academic departments, disciplinary panel members wellbeing professionals etc), collaborating on campaigns, raising awareness of Report and Support, and educating our community in the area of sexual violence.
2. To pay particular attention to ensuring minority groups find our support accessible.
Service Delivery and Development
1. To be the deliverer of specialist SV/ DV support for the University.
2. To support the development of consistent and best practice responses to staff/students from diverse backgrounds.
3. To develop service resources.
General
1. To participate constructively in team and other essential meetings, including supervision and line-management.
2. To undertake other relevant activities commensurate with the level of the post as identified by senior colleagues in Wellbeing Support Services.

Person Specification

The Person Specification focuses on the knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications required to undertake the role effectively. This is measured by (a) Application Form, (b) Test/Exercise, (c) Interview, (d) Presentation.

Essential Criteria 1
Education to degree level. (a)
Essential Criteria 2
An accredited professional qualification for supporting victims of sexual violence. E.g. social worker / BACP accredited counsellor/ ISVA. (a)
Essential Criteria 3
Significant experience of using counselling, advice and guidance skills to offer a wide range of brief evidence based interventions to those who have experienced sexual and domestic violence, providing appropriate advice and information. (a, c, d)
Essential Criteria 4
Experience of offering individual support within a Higher Education or Further Education environment or a similar institutional context/age group. (a, c, d)
Essential Criteria 5
Experience of providing support to a diverse client group. (a, c, d)
Essential Criteria 6
Some experience of developing and delivering training. (a, c, d)
Essential Criteria 7
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage students, a sound understanding of the impact of sexual/domestic violence and knowledge of the evidence based strategies to support individuals. (c, d)
Essential Criteria 8
Ability to respond sensitively and professionally to unexpected and potentially challenging situations. (a, c, d)
Essential Criteria 9
Ability to work with students and staff at all levels, including the ability to work with people who may be distressed, in crisis or experiencing problems with their mental health and experience of providing support to a diverse client group. (a, c, d)
Essential Criteria 10
A sound understanding of confidentiality, safeguarding issues and legal responsibilities. (a, c, d)
Essential Criteria 11
Ability to show sensitivity to working with students of diverse backgrounds, an awareness of how to provide an inclusive service and an understanding of the impact issues of diversity may have on support. (a, c, d)
Essential Criteria 12
The ability to be the sole deliverer of specialist SV/ DV support for the University, and hence to work autonomously within your specialism, whilst working closely within the broader Wellbeing Support Services team. (a, c, d)
Essential Criteria 13
Communication skills, ability to network & demonstrate effective collaboration to engage with a wide range of colleagues, building relationships to effectively carry out the role and to modify approach to suit particular audiences/messages. (a, c, d)
Essential Criteria 14
Very strong organisational skills, able to handle competing demands and priorities and remain focused, working autonomously whilst also working successfully in collaboration with colleagues. (a, c, d)
Essential Criteria 15
Experience of recording personal and sensitive information and maintaining such records to a high professional standard and proven ability to maintain personal and professional boundaries. (a, c, d)
Desirable Criteria 1
An accredited service manager qualification is desirable e.g. ISVA service manager. (a)
Desirable Criteria 2
An accredited professional qualification for supporting victims of domestic violence. E.g. social worker /BACP accredited counsellor/ IDVA. (a)
Desirable Criteria 3
Experience of offering advice and guidance to those who have experienced domestic violence is desirable. (a, c, d)
Further Particulars
For further information about the University of Warwick, please read our University Further Particulars .
For further information about the department, please visit the departmental website .
Right to work in the UK
If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa in the UK points-based immigration system please click on this link which contains further information about obtaining right to work in the UK and details about eligibility for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker Visa.
The University of Warwick provides an inclusive working and learning environment, recognising and respecting every individual’s differences. We welcome applications from individuals who identify with any of the protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010.

Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy

As an organisation using the (DBS) Disclosure and Barring Service to assess applicants’ suitability for positions of trust, the University of Warwick complies with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed. More information is available on the University’s Vacancy pages and applicants may request a copy of the DBS Code of Practice.

Closing Date
3 Apr 2022