Who we are

 Imara is an independent specialist service that supports children, young people and their safe family members following a disclosure or discovery of child sexual abuse or domestic abuse. We are a charity and all of our services are free to access.


We receive referrals relating to child sexual abuse directly from the local paediatric sexual assault referral centre (Coral Cove – 0800 183 0023). We specialise in trauma and familial abuse, and support children, young people and families through the criminal justice process as well as providing emotional and practical support and advocacy with our CHISVA service (Children and Young People’s Independent Sexual Violence Advisor) which is commissioned by Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner. We are the chosen provider of CHISVA support for all children and young people aged 0-18 affected by sexual abuse across the county of Nottinghamshire, as well as the chosen provider for therapy for children aged 12 and under in Nottingham City.


We also provide support for children and families affected by domestic abuse in Nottingham(shire). This includes 1:1 creative arts therapy, DART group (a safe parent and child support group), dyadic therapy (both parent and child therapy) and psychoeducation in schools. Any child in Nottingham(shire) affected by domestic abuse can access our support when referred to us by a professional.


In line with specialising in familial abuse, wherever appropriate we work with children and young people within their family unit, empowering them to access and use the resources they have within themselves and their family in order to overcome the trauma and thrive going forward. This includes working not only with the children and young people we are referred, but also their safe family members, including parents, carers, siblings, and grandparents for whom a disclosure or discovery that sexual or domestic abuse has been occurring within their family and home can have profound and severe impacts and so support is understandably often required.

Our Values

Responding with empathy and walking alongside others even in the toughest times

Listening; appreciating people as they are, and welcoming the whole person

Removing taboos by engaging with the reality of child sexual abuse honestly and supporting others to do the same

Exploring possibilities together to cultivate the potential and strength in all of us

Standing firm for the things we believe in

We believe:


  • Abuse is never okay and never the fault of the child
  • Children have the right to be and feel safe, to be listened to and to be believed in
  • No one should have to face their past or their problems alone, the voice of the survivor is expert
  • Support should be there when the survivor is ready, provided at their pace, and last as long as needed – no waiting
  • Recovery from trauma is possible and holistic, specialist and creative therapies work
  • Talking about sexual abuse is not shameful, ignoring it is – talking enables us to tackle it
  • Child sexual abuse occurs in every community and the whole of society suffers – there is a cost to all of us Everyone has a responsibility to tackle child sexual abuse

Hear from our CEO and find out more about us

Employee Benefits

Employee Assistance Program offering counselling, advice and support regarding health and wellbeing, finances, legal, etc

Team well-being days

Up to 5 health and well-being days

Hybrid working and access to a TOIL system

Opportunities for internal and external CPD training

Peer to peer learning through skills shares, formal and informal training events

Being part of a large diverse team with lots of creative arts therapists, CHISVAs and a skilled business support team who work collaboratively and are eco-conscious

Close partnership working with statutory organisations, learning about the criminal justice process, and having opportunity to advocate on behalf of children and young people in school and health settings

Supervision including group supervision, peer supervision and individual clinical supervision or personal/professional coaching

The opportunity to consult with an active participation group of young people with lived experience who work closely with the team

Current Vacancies

We're sorry, there are no opportunities available that match your search criteria at the moment.

Hear from our staff

Starting work with Imara in 2021 has given me a boost personally and professionally. I can't actually believe how the team works. Everyone is so kind and supportive. Management actually listens to any issues and are solution focused. I have never worked in such a positive environment.

I joined imara in the middle of the pandemic so I can only comment on what I witnessed which was how quickly, flexible, and adaptive Imara was in moving all services online to continue to provide support to survivors and their families. The level of care and client-focus policy underpinning all decision-making are what set Imara apart from other organisations.

The one thing Imara does that I want everyone to know is that Imara cares about clients, families, and each other.