Specialist Domestic and Sexual Violence Adviser

About the role:

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced practitioner to utilise and further develop their specialist knowledge of supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and other forms of gender-based violence within a university setting. Working as part of a multidisciplinary student support service, you will play a key role in providing trauma-informed support, advocacy, risk management and specialist guidance to students navigating some of the most challenging experiences they may face.

The role may be particularly attractive to qualified and experienced ISVAs and other specialist domestic and sexual violence practitioners who are interested in applying their expertise within higher education, developing support for a diverse student population and contributing to institutional approaches to prevention, safeguarding and student wellbeing. This is an opportunity to further develop your professional practice while helping to shape the support available to students affected by domestic and sexual violence.

Alongside direct student support, you will contribute to the university's approach to harassment, sexual misconduct and safeguarding, working with colleagues across King's to shape policy, practice, training and institutional responses.

We encourage applications from candidates with experience both within and outside the Higher Education sector who can demonstrate the skills needed to succeed in this role.

You will be offered a full-time, maternity cover contract for 12 months, or until the substantive postholder returns.

About you:

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

• Relevant professional qualification and/or experience in a field such as ISVA, IDVA, domestic abuse, sexual violence, victim support, safeguarding, social work or a related specialist area.
• Experience providing direct support, advocacy and case management to individuals affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence, harassment, stalking or other forms of gender-based violence
• Demonstrable knowledge of the dynamics and impacts of domestic abuse and sexual violence, including trauma-informed approaches to support.
• Experience conducting risk assessments, developing safety plans and responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns, with a sound understanding of safeguarding principles, confidentiality, information sharing and data protection requirements.
• Ability to manage a complex caseload, work autonomously and prioritise competing demands effectively, maintaining accurate and confidential records.
• Experience working collaboratively with multiple agencies or stakeholders to coordinate support and achieve positive outcomes.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with individuals from diverse backgrounds and communicate sensitively about difficult experiences.
• Ability to work effectively with complex, sensitive and emotionally demanding situations whilst maintaining professional judgement, boundaries and effective decision-making.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of supporting young adults, students or individuals in an educational setting.
• Understanding of the higher education sector, including issues relating to harassment, sexual misconduct and student wellbeing.
• Experience supporting the development of policy, practice, training or awareness initiatives relating to domestic abuse, sexual violence and safeguarding.
• Experience of supervising, mentoring or providing professional support to colleagues. 
• Experience working with reporting, case management or safeguarding systems and using data to support service improvement and reporting.

Advert information