Sexual Assault Advocate

Job summary

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.

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.

About us

Suffolk GP Federation CIC is a not-for-profit community interest company. 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.

Details

• Date posted: 01 September 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £13.21 an hour
• Contract: Fixed term
• Duration: 12 months
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 27961
• Job locations: Across Suffolk, Across Suffolk, IP11 9QY, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

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.

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