Job Introduction

Secondment Opportunity 

• About the VIAWG Taskforce

The new Violence and Intimidation Against Women and Girls (VIAWG) Taskforce provides a nationally coordinated, trauma‑informed policing response that aligns with the Government’s Safer Streets Mission and new VAWG strategy, the NPCC VAWG Framework, and the principles of Operation Soteria.

The Taskforce comprises five Proactive Operational Teams delivering high‑visibility and plain‑clothes operations -including Operation Vigilant -to identify and disrupt predatory sexual behaviour across the rail network. These are supported by a specialist Safeguarding and Prevention Hub responsible for intelligence development, offender management, protective orders, safeguarding triage, environmental design, stakeholder engagement and independent victim advocacy.

The Safeguarding Team within the Hub is led by the Safeguarding Manager and includes two VIAWG Coordinators, a Stakeholder Engagement and External Scrutiny Officer, a Designing Out Crime Officer, and the ISVA and IDVA secondments. Together, this team ensures BTP delivers a consistent, trauma‑informed, victim‑centred safeguarding response to VIAWG‑related incidents.

About the Role

We are pleased to offer a secondment opportunity for an experienced Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) to join British Transport Police’s newly established Violence and Intimidation Against Women and Girls (VIAWG) Taskforce.

The VIAWG Taskforce delivers a nationally coordinated, trauma‑informed policing response aligned to the Government’s Safer Streets Mission, the NPCC VAWG Framework and the principles of Operation Soteria. It comprises five Proactive Operational Teams and a specialist Safeguarding and Prevention Hub. This role sits within the Safeguarding Team, reporting to the Safeguarding Manager.

This is an exceptional opportunity to bring independent, specialist sexual violence expertise into a national policing environment and directly influence how BTP supports victim‑survivors of sexual violence on the rail network. You will be the first dedicated ISVA within BTP, shaping the role from the ground up and embedding best practice that will endure well beyond the secondment period.

The postholder will provide specialist, independent advocacy and support to victim‑survivors of sexual violence identified through the Taskforce’s safeguarding triage, Proactive Team operations and wider BTP reporting. You will work alongside VIAWG Coordinators, detectives, analysts and partner agencies to ensure victim‑survivors receive timely, consistent and trauma‑informed support from the point of disclosure through to the conclusion of the criminal justice process and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with the VIAWG Coordinators to provide specialist advisory input during safeguarding triage, helping identify cases where ISVA support or intervention may be required and that referral pathways are functioning effectively.
• Provide specialist advice to BTP officers, investigators and the wider Taskforce on trauma‑informed practice, victim‑centred approaches and the impact of sexual violence on disclosure, engagement and retention in the justice process.
• Contribute to Multi‑Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC), strategy discussions and other multi‑agency forums as required, representing the victim‑survivor’s interests and ensuring their voice is central to decision‑making.
• Liaise with external specialist services including Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs), Rape Crisis, local authority safeguarding teams, NHS services and other ISVA providers to ensure coordinated, seamless support for victim‑survivors.
• Identify gaps in victim support pathways within BTP and the wider rail environment, feeding recommendations to the Safeguarding Manager and Stakeholder Engagement Officer to inform service development and partnership working.
• Support Scrutiny Panels and external engagement activities, contributing a specialist sexual violence perspective to quality assurance and organisational learning.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of training for BTP officers and Taskforce staff on responding to sexual violence, recognising trauma responses and making effective ISVA referrals.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of advisory activity in line with data protection legislation, organisational policy and the requirements of any commissioning or regulatory bodies.
• Embed ISVA-informed learning and insight into Taskforce and wider BTP practice, ensuring the secondment delivers sustainable organisational change and long-term enhancement of victim-survivor centred practice, rather than a time‑limited individual contribution.

About You

Essential Criteria

• A qualified, practising ISVA with demonstrable experience of providing independent advocacy and support to victim‑survivors of sexual violence.
• Completion of a recognised ISVA training programme (e.g. LimeCulture ISVA Training Programme or equivalent accredited qualification).
• Thorough understanding of the criminal justice process as it relates to sexual offences, including police investigation, CPS decision‑making, court proceedings and the role of special measures.
• Experience of working within multi‑agency frameworks, including MARAC, strategy discussions and partnership forums.
• Strong understanding of trauma‑informed practice and victim‑centred approaches, with the ability to apply these in a policing environment.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build trust and rapport with victim‑survivors and to communicate effectively with police officers, investigators and external partners.
• Experience of conducting needs assessments and developing individualised support plans.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and information‑sharing frameworks.
• Ability to manage a caseload independently, prioritise effectively and work under pressure in an emotionally demanding environment.
• IT literacy including confidence with case management systems and report writing.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, with an understanding of how intersecting characteristics affect the experience of sexual violence and access to support.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working within or alongside a policing environment.
• Experience of supporting victim‑survivors in a transport or public space context.
• Understanding of the Angiolini Inquiry, Casey Review, Operation Soteria and the NPCC VAWG Framework.
• Experience of contributing to training delivery for non‑specialist professionals.
• Experience of supporting organisational change or service development within a statutory or voluntary sector setting.
• Knowledge of the rail network and the specific challenges faced by women and girls in public transport environments.

Eligibility

This secondment is open to external applicants currently employed by a recognised specialist voluntary sector organisation providing sexual violence support services. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

The secondment requires the agreement of the applicant’s current employer. BTP will work with the seconding organisation to agree terms, including any cost‑sharing arrangements.

Vetting: Successful applicants will be required to pass Recruitment Vetting (5 years minimum UK residency required), including a full background and financial disclosure.

Medical: We’ll ask for relevant health and medical history details to support employee wellbeing.

References: We’ll ask for references to cover the past 5 years.

How to Apply

Applications will be via an up‑to‑date CV and an online application form. As part of this application, please outline how your skills and experience demonstrate your suitability for the role.

Completed applications must be submitted by 11.59pm, 28 April 2026

Inclusion & Diversity: 

We are committed to building a workforce where everyone feels they belong.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and lived experiences. Diversity strengthens our teams, improves our services and helps us better represent and support the communities we serve. 

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and strive to create a workplace that is fair, respectful and accessible to all. We actively work to challenge discrimination, remove barriers and ensure equity throughout our recruitment and employment practices. 

If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment or selection process, please let us know - we are happy to support you. Your talent, your potential, and your unique perspective matter here. 

For more information on Inclusion or the Disability Confident Scheme, please click the links Inclusion & Diversity Disability Confident Scheme

Join Us:
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For further information, please contact our Resourcing Team -RecruitmentTeam@btp.police.uk.