Iris is recruiting to expand our team of Sexual Assault Advocates (SAAs).
*PLEASE READ THE ADVERT FULLY BEFORE APPLYING*
Are you able to adapt your approach to meet the needs of each individual, rather than expecting people to fit a standard model of support? Are you comfortable working autonomously, navigating complexity and finding creative solutions when traditional approaches don't work?
Iris is looking for compassionate, resourceful and resilient individuals who have experience of working with people who have experienced trauma and who can build trusting relationships in a non-judgemental and person-centred way.
If you want to be part of an evolving service and dynamic team where you can put the individual at the centre of their recovery, supporting and empowering them to regain control, build resilience and achieve their goals, Iris would like to hear from you.
About Iris
Iris is Suffolk's community-based Sexual Assault Service, supporting people of all ages and genders who have experienced any form of sexual violence, whether recently or many years ago. We also support people who have been affected by someone else's experience of sexual violence.
Iris is a trauma-informed service that takes a holistic, needs-led approach to supporting victims and survivors to regain control over their lives, build recovery and develop resilience.
We recognise that the impact of sexual violence can extend far beyond the experience itself. Trauma can affect physical and emotional wellbeing, relationships, confidence, education, employment, housing and many other areas of a person's life. Our role is to understand the individual as a whole and work alongside them to identify what recovery means to them.
Iris is a community-based service and works with people on a one-to-one basis as well as through groups and programmes. Support may take place in a range of community settings across Suffolk or remotely, depending on the needs and preferences of the individual.
Iris does not provide therapy or counselling. Instead, our support is psychosocial and psychoeducational in nature and may include helping individuals understand the impact of trauma, develop coping strategies, build resilience, improve wellbeing and access other services where appropriate.
What is the role?
The Sexual Assault Advocate (SAA) works in a trauma-informed, needs-led and person-centred way, ensuring that the victim/survivor remains at the centre of everything we do.
The role is not about following a prescribed pathway for every individual. Instead, the SAA works alongside each person to understand their circumstances, identify their strengths, needs and goals, and develop a flexible approach to support and recovery.
As an SAA, you will build professional and trusting relationships with people who may have experienced significant and complex trauma. You will support individuals to identify what is important to them and empower them to take steps towards their own goals.
This is an autonomous and varied role. You will need to be confident making professional judgements, managing your own workload and adapting your approach when circumstances change. You will be encouraged to think creatively and use initiative to find solutions when traditional approaches to support may not work.
The role involves travel throughout Suffolk and a significant proportion of the work will be undertaken independently. You will need to be comfortable with lone working while remaining connected to and supported by the wider Iris team.
Main duties of the job
- Work with victims/survivors in a trauma-informed, needs-led and person-centred way.
- Build and maintain trusting, professional and non-judgemental relationships with individuals who have experienced sexual violence and trauma.
- Work on a one-to-one basis with victims/survivors as well as contributing to group work and programmes.
- Undertake holistic assessments to identify individual needs, strengths, risks, barriers and goals.
- Develop individualised support and recovery plans with victims/survivors and review these regularly.
- Work collaboratively with individuals to identify and achieve meaningful personal goals.
- Provide psychosocial and psychoeducational support, including helping individuals understand the impact of trauma and develop coping and resilience strategies. Support individuals to access appropriate health, social care, community and specialist services.
- Advocate for individuals where appropriate and support them to navigate services and overcome barriers to accessing support.
- Work collaboratively with partner agencies and professionals as part of a multi-agency approach.
- Recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns and risks, following Iris policies and procedures.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality while ensuring information is shared appropriately where there are safeguarding or other significant concerns.
- Manage a caseload effectively, prioritising workload according to individual need and risk.
- Work independently and use professional judgement when responding to changing or complex circumstances.
- Undertake agile working and travel throughout Suffolk to meet the needs of the service and individuals.
- Maintain accurate, timely and appropriate records using the Iris database and other relevant IT systems.
- Contribute to team meetings, supervision, service development and continuous improvement.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge and understanding of sexual violence, trauma, safeguarding and relevant support services.
- Work in accordance with Iris policies, procedures, professional standards and safeguarding requirements.
You’ll join our IRIS team. We are a not-for-profit, community interest company and our main purpose is to support Primary Care across Suffolk, including support with working collaboratively and at scale. We also deliver a portfolio of NHS services across Suffolk and North East Essex, including Podiatry, Ultrasound, Diabetes, as well as Urgent Care Services including the Out of Hours face-to-face Service in Suffolk.
Is it for me?
We will work alongside the successful candidate to ensure they are sufficiently inducted and trained; there will be regular constructive supervision in place. It is important to us that you feel safe and supported in the role.
Why join Iris?
- Iris is an evolving service with the opportunity to work in a genuinely individualised and recovery-focused way.
- As a Sexual Assault Advocate, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to people whose lives may have been significantly affected by sexual violence. You will be part of a team that values creativity, compassion, professional curiosity and the belief that people should be supported to define their own recovery.
- This is a role where no two people will necessarily need the same thing. You will have the opportunity to develop your practice, work creatively and contribute to the continued development of an important community service across Suffolk.
- You will receive regular case, wellbeing, clinical and peer supervision, providing a strong network of support throughout your role
If you are passionate about supporting people to regain control, rebuild their lives and achieve meaningful change, we would love to hear from you.
Contract type: Fixed term until 30th September 2027
What we can offer you:
- A strong ethos of flexible working, to help us maintain (or reclaim) that work/life balance.
- Innovative teams who strive in forward thinking, with a voice that is heard.
- A visible and supportive management team, with operational support that ‘get it’
- Excellent IT teams & support giving us first class equipment and ‘no wait’ responses
- A commitment to personal development, training, and leadership opportunities, with service-managed training budgets
- Cycle to work scheme
- Death in service cover
- Competitive salaries with annual benchmarking
- 27 days holiday (plus bank holidays) on starting, rising to 29 days (plus bank holidays) after 5 years’ service
- Blue light card employer – Access to the discount service with thousands of discounts online and on the high street.
Please include a personal statement of not more than 2 pages which covers:
- Why you are interested in this job
- Your experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and attitude in relation to the person specification
Short-listing for this post will be based on how well you match the qualities in the person specification. Therefore, we suggest that you use the points in the person specification as headings and give specific examples to demonstrate how you fulfil each of the items of the person specification. It is insufficient simply to repeat what it says in the person specification.
If you do not follow these instructions your application will not be short-listed.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Use of AI in Applications
We welcome the responsible use of AI to help structure or refine your application. However, your application should reflect your own experience, skills and achievements.
Please ensure any information submitted is accurate and truthful. AI must not be used to exaggerate or misrepresent your qualifications, experience or abilities.
If you use AI tools, you may be asked to discuss how they supported your application during the recruitment process. Any AI-generated content should be reviewed and edited by you, and should not include confidential or sensitive information.
We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment. AI should support your application, not replace your own voice, perspective and contribution.
For further information, please contact
Louise Elmy, Iris Service Manager & Clinical Lead, or Natasha Cobb, Iris Operations Manager via email: sgpfed.suffolkiris@nhs.net