Victim Support Scotland – Empowering People Affected by Crime
We put victims and witnesses at the heart of everything we do so they are heard, have improved health and well-being,
feel safer, more secure, and informed and that we are an effective organisation, that makes a lasting
difference.
Who We Are?
Victim Support Scotland provides support and information to people affected by crime and campaigns for victim and
witness rights. Regardless of whether a crime has been reported, or when it happened, our services are free,
confidential, and tailored to individuals’ needs.
Our Vision is that people affected by crime – victims, witnesses, and their families – are treated with dignity and
respect and are at the heart of the justice in Scotland.
Our Mission is to ensure that all those affected by crime receive high quality support that will help them to recover
from their experiences.
All our work is guided and underpinned by our six core principles of being engaging and compassionate; inclusive and
accessible; person-centred; adaptive, flexible, and responsive; collaborative; and knowledgeable and skilled.
Now is the time to join Victim Support Scotland, helping us work towards the ambitions of our 5-year plan: Empowering
people affected by crime: VSS Strategy 2021-2026.
What is the role
This is an exciting opportunity to join our Support for Families Bereaved by Crime (SFBC) team as Key Support Worker
(12 month Fixed-term contract), working 35 hours per week. The main hours of work are Monday – Friday 9am - 5pm,
however some out of hours work may be required, including occasional Saturdays. A TOIL policy is in place.
Primary location: Inverness or Aberdeen, however the successful candidate will be required to travel throughout
Scotland. The SFBC team is currently based in Glasgow, this is part of an exciting development of our national
service to support families at appropriate locations to best meet their needs.
As a member of the team and reporting to the SFBC Manager, the role of Key Support Worker is to provide comprehensive
support to families bereaved by murder or culpable homicide. This will involve providing structured social
support, emotional and practical support, sourcing and providing up to date information, liaising with other
justice and community organisations, supporting the family as they interact with the criminal justice system and
helping them to reach a new balance in their lives after trauma. You will play a key part in the ongoing
evaluation, development and improvement of the service including advocacy, peer support and support for children
and young people. You will work closely with colleagues in other agencies such as counselling services, Police
Scotland and representatives from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
This is a complex role in a fast paced environment within a supportive team and you will be expected to show
excellent communication skills, high level administrative and recording skills, a commitment to partnership
working and ensuring that the needs of families are at the heart of the service through service user engagement
and participation work.
If you are looking for a role with a purpose, where you can really make a difference, then this may be the role for
you.
What you’ll need to be successful
We are looking for someone who is educated to SVQ3 Level or experienced in a equivalent role, effective leadership
style, excellent organisational and time management skills, ability to use own initiative, self-sufficient with
the ability to manage own workload and a good observation skills to assess and support victims where they may be
unable to articulate their wants and needs due to trauma.
Good working knowledge of the voluntary/charity sector is required, as is a willingness to be flexible in working
hours and able to travel as required. A current driving licence is therefore an essential requirement
Further details of this role are available in the job description - Key Support
Worker
Please note - This post will be subject to a satisfactory PVG check, references, and proof that you have the right to
work in the UK.
What we offer?
When you work for Victim Support Scotland, your wellbeing is important to us. Not only do we offer an enhanced annual
leave package of 39 days (pro-rata), but you will also have access to our free health cash plan which includes
cover for you and your family across a range of benefits, which include, dental cover, access to a virtual GP,
counselling, legal support and discounts on gym memberships, cinema tickets, retail and much more. In addition
we offer a generous pension, enhanced maternity and paternity pay and access to a credit union. Supporting
employee development is important to us and we offer comprehensive learning and development opportunities.