Job Description

Are you a qualified ISVA or IDVA - or a support worker in a related field with experience working with vulnerable people?



Would you like to join an accredited ISVA team, offering support to people who have experienced both sexual and domestic abuse?



We have a fantastic opportunity to work within One YMCA's well-respected sexual violence support service. The Herts ISVA Service was the 2022 winner of the National YMCA Youth Matters Award - Support and Advice Category. The service is commissioned by Hertfordshire OPCC and we have secured additional funding to expand the support offered. The post holder will deliver free and confidential practical and emotional support to young people and adults, male and female, who have experienced both sexual and domestic abuse - whether recent or non-recent.




We go the extra mile to help survivors gain the confidence and access the support and information they need, to take control of their situation and move forward. The Hertfordshire ISVA Service welcomes both male and female applicants for this role as we aim to offer our clients choice where possible to best support them with their recovery.




We are a friendly, supportive team. Team work and staff wellbeing are extremely important to us. Clinical supervision and peer support will be provided.




The ISVA will play an important role in providing specialist tailored support to victims and survivors of sexual & domestic abuse. You will work with people who have experienced rape and sexual assault, irrespective of whether they have reported to the police. As an adviser, you will provide impartial information to the victim/survivor about all of their options, such as reporting to the police, accessing Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) services, specialist support such as pre-trial therapy and sexual violence counselling. You will be required to attend court.



You will also provide information on other services that victims/survivors may require, for example in relation to health and social care, housing, or benefits. You will provide ongoing continuity, advocacy and impartial advice and information to a victim/survivor of sexual & domestic abuse.



Hours: This post is Monday to Friday 9am-5pm but some occasional evening and weekend working may be required for events, safeguarding matters, training etc. There is no regular out of hours rota requirement.



Travel: A full driving licence is required for this role. You must be able to commute within Hertfordshire, and you will need access to a suitably-insured car for travel during working hours. We will reimburse mileage incurred during working hours (except for your normal commute to your Hertfordshire office base).



Please don't delay sending your application, since we may consider applications on a rolling basis.



If you would like to have an informal chat about the role before applying please contact Herts ISVA Service Manager, Morag Walters morag.walters@oneymca.org




We require no agency support at this time



An Enhanced Disclosure check and satisfactory police vetting are required for this role.



At One YMCA we are an inclusive organisation and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We do not discriminate on the basis of Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Marriage/Civil Partnership, Pregnancy/Maternity, Race, Religion/Belief, Sex and/or Sexual Orientation. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities, and industries, and are committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills, experiences, and abilities.



This is a Full Time role.

Hours per week: 37.5

Working Pattern: Monday - Friday / 37.5 hours per week


One YMCA and its subsidiaries, the Early Childhood Partnership (ECP) and Signpost are on an exciting journey to double our impact by 2025. We are over half way through an exciting new strategy launched in the first hour of the new decade, via email where all staff and volunteers were invited to put themselves forward to apply and attend an intensive, three-day Kickstarter Event.


By the end of these three days, there was a brilliantly multi-faceted set of themes and ideas, which formed the starting point for the rest of the Mission 25 process to build on. The aim of Mission 25 is to give every staff member and volunteer the opportunity to play their part in shaping the strategy to do "more and better, together" so that we double our impact by 2025. We deliver a vast array of services across Herts, Beds and Bucks that reach over 135,000 individuals annually.


These include:

Provision of over 700 units of accommodation for homeless people Move on accommodation for individuals moving onto independent living Housing and practical/emotional support for young asylum seekers Community HUBs hosting a range of activities and meeting space hire Childcare provision in Hertfordshire Family support through a network of children's and family centres covering Hertfordshire and Bedford Therapeutic and non-therapeutic support for male and female victims of domestic abuse and their children Independent sexual violence services across Bedfordshire, Luton and Hertfordshire Domestic abuse perpetrator reform programmes across Bedfordshire Youth services offering emotional wellbeing support and youth club opportunities for 11-19 year olds alongside our National Airplay programme funded by the RAF Benevolent Fund * A community gym where everyone can enjoy the benefits of physical exercise Our values remain at the forefront of how we operate as a charity, and it is important to us that all staff and volunteers can fully buy in to our ethos.