Advocacy Service at Dewis Centre for Independent Living

Advocacy Service at Dewis Centre for Independent Living

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title: Independent Advocate

Main place of work: Dewis Centre for Independent Living

Amber House

Upper Boat Business Park

Upper Boat

Pontypridd

CF37 5BP

Reporting to: Advocacy Manager

Hours of work: 16 hours per week

Salary: NJC Spinal Column Point 22 to 25 (starting at £20,013.42 pro rata)

Line management: Advocacy Manager (Dewis CIL)

Probationary period: 6 months

Contract: 12 months initially with possibility of extension

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB

v Providing independent advocacy support for designated short term crisis advocacy situations.

v Promoting informed choice for disabled through advocacy.

v Assisting with the development of all advocacy services provided by Dewis CIL.

v Supporting the general aims of Dewis Centre for Independent Living.

PAID/INDEPENDENT ADVOCACY SERVICE

1.  Work in partnership with the social care teams in the Local Authority, and relevant interest groups, etc. to create a service applicable to the need of disabled people eligible for the service.

2.  Maintaining a simple and straight-forward confidential referral process to the advocacy service.

3.  Meeting and providing advocacy support in a ‘crisis’ or temporary situation to people referred to the service.

4.  Providing one-to-one support to individuals referred to the Advocacy Services in a variety of situations or instances. By way of example only (this list is not exhaustive):

§  Benefits review or difficulties.

§  Housing issues or moving home.

§  Going to important meetings and supporting the person.

§  Dealing with health matters or health authorities.

§  Being an advocate with regard to community care services.

§  Looking at independent living options.

5.  To keep and produce case notes and reports on individual independent advocacy work.

6.  Development and production of accessible and useful information on Dewis CIL’s Independent Advocacy Service in the local authories Dewis CIL operate.

7.  Establishing awareness of the nature and operation of an Independent Advocacy Service via meetings, networking and publicity etc. throughout the local authorities Dewis CIL work in.

8.  Researching and developing funding bids to expand advocacy services in Dewis CIL.

CONTRIBUTING TO THE AIMS OF DEWIS C.I.L

1.  Contributing to the team work, team meetings, etc required of Dewis CIL staff.

2.  Attending and contributing to Dewis CIL management meetings as required.

3.  Supporting the various outside activities, events, conferences etc. which Dewis CIL might host.

4.  To work flexibly as required by your Line Manager to meet deadlines, targets or relieve workload.

5.  Supporting the work and commitment of Dewis CIL in various projects, functions, launches and events which are organised.