[Hiring] Safe Spaces Survivor Advocate @First Light

Role Description

Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal, and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales. The Survivor Advocate will work pro-actively to risk assess and support client needs and develop a comprehensive support plan to help keep victims safe. This role will use advocacy and partnership working skills to ensure victims are supported throughout any internal church processes or criminal justice processes. The post holder will manage a busy caseload and have excellent partnership skills and an understanding of Adult and Vulnerable people Safeguarding procedures.

• Advocate on behalf of victims and survivors of church related abuse
• Contribute to addressing situations where there is risk of danger, harm or abuse
• Assess the needs of, and risks to victims/survivors of church related abuse
• Communicate with people from vulnerable groups
• Recognise and respond to suspected abuse of people from vulnerable groups
• Support the safeguarding and protection of people from vulnerable groups
• Work in partnership with agencies to address church related abuse
• Support victims and survivors of church related abuse through the court process
• Manage working relationships with victims and survivors
• Promote understanding of the various forms of abuse including domestic abuse, sexual violence and abuse and spiritual abuse
• Establish requirements for special measures at court
• An expectation to travel to necessary conferences

Qualifications

• Experience of working with people in crisis
• Experience of risk assessments and decision making
• Well-developed interpersonal skills (written and oral)

Benefits

• A comprehensive induction and training programme
• A wellbeing day per financial year (1st April to 31st March)
• Access to external supervision to discuss personal or emotional responses to traumatic cases, to ensure emotional and psychological wellbeing
• Health and wellbeing resources including our staff Wellbeing Group, Staff Consultation Committee, and active participation in our employee engagement platform
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme which includes a 24/7 telephone helpline offering medical, emotional, and financial support
• Working for an organisation committed to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Annual pay review and employer contribution pension scheme

Additional Information

The successful applicant will be subject to a Disclosure & Barring check, and a social media check conducted by a third party organisation as part of our Safer Recruitment process. Any future offer of employment is contingent on the satisfactory completion of these checks, as well as the receipt of two satisfactory employment references, with one being from your current or most recent employer. Please note that in some roles staff may be required to work from a home/office base in accordance with our Hybrid Working policy.

Deadline for receipt of applications: 09:00 17th November 2026

Expected date for interviews: To be arranged with the candidate.

If you do not hear from us within 10 working days of the deadline for receipt of applications, please assume you have been unsuccessful at this time. We reserve the right to withdraw this advert early for the right candidate, so we encourage early applications.

To apply: Due to Safeguarding requirements we are unable to accept CVs as part of your application, or employ any candidate who has been a client of First Light within the last two years. Please complete the application form on the top right of the advert on our website. Ensure that you outline your relevant experience and evidence suitability for the role against the role profile, which is a combined job description and person specification. Alternatively, you can email [email protected]