If you had the chance to support someone in their most difficult moment, would you take it? Around 2% of adults have reported being victims of sexual violence in 2020 alone. The Level 7 Advanced Forensic Practitioner Apprenticeships give you the opportunity to be equipped to support victims of sexual offence with compassion and care. forensic apprenticeships
Sexual Offence Laws: How Can I Help?
Evidence brings perpetrators of sexual violence to justice. Without evidence, victims are often left without closure and are left feeling unsafe. Forensic teams are crucial to ensuring that evidence is handled delicately and professionally. This enables police officers to go on to convict offenders.
“What does the apprenticeship involve?”
A Level 7 Advanced Practitioner Apprentice is equipped to manage the trauma of victims, liase with healthcare providers around areas of sexual health, as well as providing routes of safeguarding for further protection. In addition to this, an apprentice will also be able to grow their expertise in the understanding of injuries, enabling juries to feel more confident in sexual offence convictions.
It is also essential that an apprentice displays compassion and professionalism when working alongside victims.
This will enable them to begin to heal from trauma, as well as feeling empowered in their recovery.
“What would a normal day involve?”
Everyday is different. However, the apprentice will regularly liaise with the police, sexual health services, mental health support teams, accident and emergency departments, lawyers, health care providers, jurers, social workers and substance misuse support services.
Forensic Apprenticeships: Are they for me?
A main aspect of the role is supporting individuals through the criminal justice system by undertaking assessments. For example, mapping injuries, forensic examination and the collection of forensic evidence. Apprentices would lead a team of people who provide support for victims, with access to more senior support throughout.
“What skills would I need?”
The Forensic Apprenticeships require you to be a Registered Nurse, Registered Paramedic, or Registered Medical Practitioner. The accepted governing boards are the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the Healthcare Professionals Council or the General Medical Council. Apprentices must have obtained a Level 2 English and Maths qualification.
However, those without this qualification will need to obtain it before the End-Point Assessment. The minimum English Language requirement is Level 3.
We will also accept a British Sign Language (BSL) qualification.
Below is a list of core skills. The range from an understanding of using the appropriate tools to assess patients to identify abuse, the ability to document injuries reliably and professionally and give oral evidence in court.
Forensic Apprenticeship: Core Skills Needed
- Use the appropriate tools to assess patients to identify abuse.
- Decide the most appropriate forensic strategy for the patient.
- Take samples, including skin swabs, intimate samples and toxicology.
- Create a record of injuries using cameras when appropriate.
- Follow the chain of evidence procedure.
- Provide evidence in a court of law.
- Write objectively.
- Complete all governance processes, for example, feedback, infection control, medicine management and health and safety.
- Maintain patient confidentiality.
- Manage and supervise others, as well as creating improvement plans for some employees.
- Communicate with the criminal justice setting.
- Take part in clinical supervision.
- Record mental health conditions and disorders.
- Undertake risk assessments.
- Give medicine.
- Respect the patient’s beliefs, culture and privacy.
- Make evidence based decisions.
- Use de-escalation techniques where appropriate.
- Manage strategies which support the patient in recovery from trauma.
If you could see yourself in this role, supporting individuals, providing evidence that leads to prosecution, and creating effective recovery plans that empower victims, this 12 month apprenticeship could be for you.
The skills that you will develop during the apprenticeship will enable you to bring a higher level of expertise to the role, enabling you to make more of a positive impact in the lives of victims of sexual violence.
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