Paid Survivor Advisory Panel, England and Wales

The Office of the Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales is recruiting up to 15 adult survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation to a new national advisory panel. Members bring their lived experience directly to government, helping shape policy and practice and hold departments to account. You do not need any experience of policy work, advisory groups or public speaking, and you will not be asked to prove or describe what happened to you.

What you get:

• Payment for attending required meetings and for specific project work (the rate is not published)
• Reasonable travel and accommodation expenses reimbursed
• Training during onboarding, with further training and development throughout the term
• Optional individual and group clinical supervision
• Trauma-informed facilitation, safeguarding by specialist staff, and accessibility support and adjustments
• A direct route to influence UK government policy on child sexual abuse and exploitation

What you'll do:

• Serve a two-year term from April 2027 to March 2029
• Commit at least 60 hours a year, up to about four hours a week in busier periods
• Join engagement sessions, mostly online with some in person, usually around two hours each plus preparation
• Give insight, challenge and recommendations to the Victims' Commissioner's Office and government departments

Key dates:

• Applications opened 5 November 2026
• Applications close at 9am (UK time) on Thursday 3 December 2026
• Shortlisted applicants are invited to a getting to know you conversation
• The panel runs from April 2027 to March 2029

More information:

• Read the Expression of Interest Pack before applying: https://cdn.websitebuilder.service.justice.gov.uk/uploads/sites/6/2026/11/Expression-of-Interest-Pack-for-Panel-Members.pdf
• An Easy Read version of the pack is available on the application page
• Apply by completing the Word application form and sending it by email to advisorypanel@victimscommissioner.org.uk or by post
• You may ask a trusted friend, family member or carer to help with the form, or ask the panel team for help
• You can withdraw from the recruitment process at any stage
• Questions and adjustment requests: advisorypanel@victimscommissioner.org.uk

• Aged 18 or over
• Lived experience of child sexual abuse and/or exploitation
• Currently living in England or Wales (Scotland and Northern Ireland are not eligible because the policy areas are devolved)
• Able to communicate in English, with reasonable adjustments or communication support where available
• Willing to undergo due diligence checks and a basic DBS check
• Able to commit at least 60 hours a year
• Willing to take part in a politically impartial way, alongside other survivors
• You do not need to have reported to the police or to have disclosed publicly