Swindon and Wiltshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) Team Leade

Swindon and Wiltshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) Team Leader Location: Swindon Salary: £28,944 per annum rising to £29,579 per annum after successful probation. Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time, (37.5 hours per week) Closing Date: 21st of September 2026 The Swindon and Wiltshire SARC Team Leader is responsible for leading, developing, and line managing the Crisis Worker Team to deliver a high-quality, responsive front-line service to victims and survivors of sexual violence. The post holder will ensure the team provides proactive, short-term support throughout the forensic medical examination process and facilitates appropriate onward referrals, based on individual needs and risk assessments. They will oversee case debriefs and audit processes to ensure staff are well supported and that records are accurate, comprehensive, and maintained to a high standard. The Team Leader will play a key role in the ongoing management and development of the Crisis Worker Team, ensuring a consistent and high-quality service is delivered. They will establish and strengthen multi-agency partnerships, developing clear protocols and referral pathways to enhance collaborative working. Contributing to the operational direction of the service, the Team Leader will ensure that client feedback and experiences inform service development and continuous improvement. They will support key organisational initiatives and accreditations; including the Forensic Science Regulator Accreditation and Quality Standards for Services Supporting Male Victims/Survivors. The role also includes providing professional advice, risk assessment, support, and guidance to colleagues, partner agencies, and the wider public. The Team Leader will support crisis situations and offer expert advice on safeguarding matters and information-sharing concerns relating to both children and adults. In addition, the Team Leader will lead on engagement and outreach activities for the SARC, coordinating strategic approaches to raise awareness and accessibility. They will represent the organisation at key stakeholder forums and develop service user engagement opportunities, such as focus groups, to better understand barriers to access and improve the overall client experience. This role requires a highly motivated, flexible individual who can work autonomously, demonstrate strong leadership, and contribute effectively to the ongoing development of a trauma-informed, client-centred service.

Key responsibilities

• Support and develop the operational service delivery of the Swindon and Wiltshire SARC service, with the SARC Team Manager.
• Manage and supervise a team of crisis workers in line with First Light policies and procedures, and forensic integrity standards.
• Manage the recruitment, on-boarding, training, supervision of staff and be responsible for delivering training and awareness across the service.
• To contribute to staff development and professional practice through the staff review and development process.
• To ensure staff understand key risk management policies and procedures and implement them as required so that staff and client safety are kept central to any process
• Quality assure SARC practice and reporting by ensuring that accurate recording processes are implemented and maintained to a high standard.
• Actively review and audit SARC referrals across the service to ensure crisis workers are supported and working within policy and procedure.
• Develop protocols and referral pathways in and out of the service by working with all key referral organisations.
• Co-ordinate the referral pathway for SARC clients and ensure that incoming and onward referrals are processed in line with contractual obligations. Please note this is a brief description of the job role, to see more information, click the link below. Added benefits:
• A comprehensive induction and training programme, with a hybrid working policy for a better work/life balance.
• 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. We encourage applications from all sections of the community, and all backgrounds regardless of age, race, faith, disability, neurodiversities, genders, gender expression or sexuality. First Light are a Disability Confident Committed Employer and have an LGBTQIA+ Staff Network.
• 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. To Apply If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for First Light, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application