The role of a Crisis Worker

We’re always on the lookout for great Crisis Workers. If you’re interested in becoming a Crisis Worker, please read the information in this article and get in touch.

Crisis Workers support victims who have chosen to have a forensic examination after a recent serious sexual assault.

Victims often forget the names of our crisis workers. They may not remember the layout of the SARC, or what the doctor who took intimate swabs looked like. But they can remember that they were treated with respect and dignity by those supporting them.

That’s the important part, and that’s why we do what we do.

‘I don’t think I could have done it without you.’

Client feedback

Qualities of a Crisis Worker

This is not a role for the faint-hearted. It takes a strong person to sit with someone that has just experienced an unthinkable crime. To be a great Crisis Worker you need to:

• Be calm and supportive in order to ensure that a victim is being listened to and treated with respect.
• Be supportive without trying to ‘fix’ a victim. Could you sit with someone going through unimaginable trauma without wanting to hug them or try and make things go back to normal?
• Be impartial information givers. You are there for the victim and to inform them of their choices, rather than making the decision for them.

Best bits of being a Crisis Worker

Being a Crisis Worker can be incredibly rewarding, and many use the role to develop their skills and expertise to work within other areas of victim support. Some of the best bits are:

• Learning about multi-agency support in Derbyshire
• Learning about trauma responses and crisis intervention
• Becoming confident working with vulnerable people
• Developing listening skills
• Understanding the role of forensic evidence in a police investigation
• Learning about how to support someone in trauma
• Improving your safeguarding knowledge
• You get to be part of a growing and supportive organisation that offers excellent training opportunities!

Please bear in mind

This role is paid rather than voluntary, but it isn’t a day job. It requires flexibility on the evenings and weekends, and you will be paid a standard rate with additional pay if you are called out or take any calls on the Advice Line. It could be a long time before you get to support someone, or it could happen as soon as you’re on the rota. It’s important to be prepared for that reality.

The Crisis Worker role can be incredibly rewarding, but it is not something to take lightly. If you are simply wanting to donate some of your time to a noble cause, this might not be the role for you. If you want to have a chat, the Crisis Worker Coordinator will be happy to talk you through the role.

Definitely interested? Send us your CV with a covering letter and someone will be in touch.