Specialist Support Worker for women and non-binary people who are autistic or have learning disabilities

We have an exciting opportunity to join the thriving and dynamic SARSAS team as our Specialist Support Worker.

About the role

We are currently seeking a Specialist Support Worker to join the SARSAS team and work with women and non-binary people who are autistic and/or have learning disabilities that have experienced rape or sexual violence. You will deliver 1:1 support, carry out assessments for support and facilitate workshops and group work. 

About you

You will have experience of working with people who have experienced trauma. You will have an understanding of the complexities of working with clients with multiple support needs and the knowledge and skills needed to build positive and empathic relationships with autistic clients and clients with learning disabilities.

You will be passionate about working with survivors of sexual violence, have a working knowledge of the impacts of trauma and an understanding of the barriers autistic clients and clients with learning disabilities may face in accessing support. 

You will have the personal skills to support and empower clients through liaison, advocacy and psychoeducational tools, enabling clients to achieve positive outcomes in areas such as health and wellbeing, safety, interpersonal relationships, confidence, employment and community integration. You will have a knowledge of partner agencies and external pathways to support. 

You will be skilled in carrying out needs and risk assessments to ensure SARSAS clients are offered the most appropriate pathways of support.  In addition to one-to-one support, you will be excited to be involved in facilitating group work and peer support for survivors of sexual violence.  

About SARSAS

SARSAS exists to relieve the trauma and distress and help rebuild the lives of survivors who live in Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and BANES, who have experienced any form of sexual violence, at any point in their lives. We campaign and educate to raise awareness and bring an end to sexual violence. Partnership work with a variety of agencies locally and nationally is a priority to enable social change.

Our work is guided by a trauma-informed approach which understands how traumatic experiences can impact on survivors and keeps an awareness of the effects of trauma at the forefront of our approach to support.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion

At SARSAS we strive to create a workplace that reflect the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. We want to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates diverse voices. We actively encourage applicants with protected characteristics to apply.

We are committed to taking an inclusive approach to recruitment and selection whilst ensuring there is no discrimination in our processes and that our team and prospective employees are treated fairly, with respect and without bias. Reasonable adjustments to the interview process can be made to accommodate additional requirements. Applicants are encouraged to highlight any specific adjustments needed to enable participation in the recruitment process.

For more information contact recruitment@sarsas.org.uk or call 0117 929 9556.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check and open to women only (exempt under the Equality Act 2010 Schedule 9, Part 1).

Contract information

Salary:                   £27,515 (FTE)

Hours:                   22.5 hours per week. May require occasional flexible working (for example, workshops/events/training)

Location:               Taunton with travel required throughout Somerset.  Up to 30% of hours per week working from home.

Responsible to:     Support Services Coordinator

Contract:                Permanent

Pension:                5% employer pension contribution

Annual Leave:       27 days plus bank holidays (full time equivalent)

Applicants will undergo an enhanced criminal record check before employment starts.