Application Pack - Advocacy Area Co-Ordinator (15 Hours) Ross & Cromarty

Company No. SC265395

Charity No. SC035363

January 2018

Dear Applicant,

Application Pack - Advocacy Area Co-ordinator (15 hours) – Ross & Cromarty

Thank you for your interest in the above position, please find enclosed within this pack the following:

Job Description
Person Specification
Summary of Terms and Conditions
Guidance Notes on Completing the Application Form
Application Form
Monitoring Form

Please return your completed Application Form, ensuring you state the post you are applying for, and marking it for the attention of the Manager andConfidential to:

Advocacy Highland

2 Seafield Road

Inverness

IV1 1SG

The closing date for applications is: 2nd February 2018

Interviews will be held in Inverness on 13th February 2018

We will contact you as soon as possible, only if you have been selected for interview.

Yours sincerely,

Sheilis Mackay

Manager

Job Description

Post Title

Ross & Cromarty Area Co-ordinator

Salary

The post is subject to annual increments over a three-year period and cost of living pay awards. The starting salary is £23,697.00 pro rata (35 hour week).

Hours

15 hours per week

Location

Home based within Ross & Cromarty

Purpose of Post

The Advocacy Area Co-ordinator will be responsible, alongside the Advocacy Manager, for the effective operation of independent advocacy in the Ross & Cromarty Area.

As a team member, the post holder will also be expected to contribute to the overall development of this new advocacy resource for the Highlands.

The post holder will work from her/his own home in the first instance. Suitable arrangements will be made to support home-based working. A base in the community may be provided at a later date.

Job Description Continued

Main duties and responsibilities

To line manage, support and supervise advocates.
To undertake the recruitment, training, matching and ongoing support of volunteer advocates.
To raise awareness and foster understanding of independent advocacy within communities in accessible ways.
To develop and maintain a local advocacy interest group, providing a focus for local community members who have an interest in independent advocacy.
In conjunction with the Advocacy Manager to implement and monitor the performance and quality measures agreed by Advocacy Highland and ensure that high standards are metand maintained.
To maintain accurate and confidential records.
To carry out direct advocacy work as required.
To participate in staff meetings and other meetings as required.
To undertake training relevant to the post as required.
To prepare and provide regular reports.
To undertake any other tasks deemed reasonable after discussion with line manager.

This job description is open to review by the organisation at any time. This might include an increase to the working hours stated.

Advocacy Highland provides independent advocacy across the Highland area. Job descriptions will be reviewed with post holders at regular interviews. Changes may be negotiated to reflect learning gained from direct practice experience.

Accountability and support

The Advocacy Co-ordinator is accountable to the Advocacy Manager, who will provide support and supervision.

Person Specification

In order to promote and develop the role of Advocacy Highland within Ross & Cromarty the post holder should be able to demonstrate:

Essential:

Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate with a diversity of audiences.
Able to manage and prioritise work, with supervision and support.
Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
Able to explain and promote independent advocacy in accessible ways.
Demonstrable evidence of a commitment to upholding the rights of marginalized people.
Demonstrable personal and professional commitment to and a belief in independent advocacy.
Diplomacy – the need to stand firm politely, yet be persistent.
Understanding of service user groups and the circumstances that may lead people to use independent advocacy (social exclusion)
Understanding of rural issues and the importance of local resources.
Ability to work alongside other agencies, whilst retaining a specific focus.
Sensitivity to issues of confidentiality in small communities.

Desirable skills/knowledge/experience/ability/qualities etc.:

Experience as a direct advocate and/or contact with advocacy in personal or professional capacity.
Experience of delivering training.
Management and support of staff and volunteers.
Familiarity with the general structures and practice of community care services.

Requirements - A full driving licence and/or access to personal transport.

Summary of Terms and Conditions

POSITION

Ross & Cromarty Area Co-ordinator

SALARY

£10,147.80

Funded until March 2019

HOURS OF WORK

15 hours per week

HOLIDAYS

Entitlement to 25 days annual leave plus 10 individual days of which7 days are Statutoryand 3 of which are flexible pro rata per annum.

PENSION SCHEME

Advocacy Highland contributes 8% to the employee’s pension. The pension is a Group Personal Pension with Scottish Life.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT CHECKS

This post is subject to satisfactory PVG Disclosure Scotland clearance being received.

Two satisfactory references.

GUIDANCE NOTES ON COMPLETION OF APPLICATION FORM

Please read the information shown below before you complete the application form.

Please note:

The form must be completed in black ink.
If submitted by e-mail you will be requested to sign the form at the interview stage.
All sections of the form must be completed – enter ‘none’ or ‘not applicable’ if appropriate.
Do not send CV’s with your application as these will not be considered.
Please do not enclose original documents with this application form. Candidates will be asked to produce original documents at interview.
We are only able to consider application forms which have been fully and correctly completed and are received by the closing date. Please therefore ensure that you use the correct postage as late applications will not be considered.

The information provided on this application form will be treated in the strictest confidence. Any storage and processing of this information will be for the purposes of recruitment, selection, personnel administration and business management purposes only and will take place in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

Only the information provided on this form will be used for the purpose of shortlisting, with those successfully passing this stage being called forward to the next stage of the recruitment and selection process.

Advocacy Highland are committed to being an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all.

Should you require any reasonable adjustments to be made at any stage of the recruitment process including application and attendance for interview please feel free to contact us or provide this information on a separate document marked ‘Confidential – for the attention of The Manager’.

Candidate Number …………..

(office use only)

APPLICATION FORM

Post Applied for / Location
Where did you hear about this vacancy?

1.PERSONAL DETAILS

Name
(Surname and initials only)
National Insurance Number
Home Address / Address for Correspondence
(if different from home address)
Post Code / Post Code
Telephone Number(s)
at which you may be
contacted / Home
Work
Mobile
Email Address

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Do you require a work permit to work in the UK?
Please note that if successful you must have the right to work in the UK and be able to provide evidence of this before employment starts. / Yes / No
Do you hold a current valid driving licence? / Yes / No
What notice are you required to give your current employer?

2.EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS– please detail any qualifications you have achieved which are either essential to undertake the role as detailed on the Person Specification or which you feel are of relevance to your application. Documentary evidence of essential qualifications will be required.

Examining
Body / Subject / Grade / Award / Results
Pending

3.FURTHER EDUCATION/VOCATIONAL TRAINING

College/University/
Training Body / Course
Title / Method of
Study / Qualifications
Obtained (Grades) / Result
Pending
Full Time / Part
Time

4.EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Please list your previous employment in chronological order starting with your present or last employer. Include service (giving rank and number) in HM Forces and any period of self-employment. It is essential that you provide details of any period not covered (e.g. any period of education/unemployment).

Employer’s Name, Address, and Telephone Number. Please also provide contact name. / Capacity in which
Employed (or state if unemployed/in education) / Dates Employed
or
Unemployed / Reason for Leaving
From:
……../………/………
To:
……../………/……… / Current Salary:- ………………………
From:
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To:
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To:
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From:
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To:
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EMPLOYMENT HISTORY (CONTINUED)

Employer’s Name, Address, and Telephone Number. Please also provide contact name / Capacity in which
Employed (or state if unemployed/in education) / Dates Employed / Reason for Leaving
From:
……../………/………
To:
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From:
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To:
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From:
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From:
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To:
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From:
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To:
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Continue on a separate sheet in the same format if necessary

5.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN PRESENT/PAST EMPLOYMENT

Please use the space below to give details of your duties and responsibilities in your current or most recent employment.

6.MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES

7.VOLUNTARY WORK

Please give details of any voluntary work undertaken, including dates and duration.

VOLUNTARY WORK (CONTINUED)

8.INFORMATION IN SUPPORT OF YOUR APPLICATION

Please the space below to detail how you meet the criteria detailed in the Person Specification for this role. The shortlisting panel will select candidates for interview on the basis of how well they demonstrate they meet these criteria.

INFORMATION IN SUPPORT OF YOUR APPLICATION (CONTINUED)

9.REFERENCES

Please give the name, address and telephone number of two referees, who should not be related to you. Ideally at least one should be your present, or most recent employer; we would prefer two business referees but will accept one personal referee if absolutely necessary. Please indicate in what capacity you know the referees by ticking the appropriate box. Also indicate if you do not wish us to take up your references before the interviews have taken place. We always take up references.

REFEREE 1 / REFEREE 2
NAME / NAME
POSITION / POSITION
ADDRESS / ADDRESS
TELEPHONE NO. / TELEPHONE NO.
E-MAIL ADDRESS / E-MAIL ADDRESS
MOBILE NO. / MOBILE NO.

Please tick the relevant boxes below.

REFEREE 1 / REFEREE 2
In work capacity
In personal capacity
You may approach before interview
You may NOT approach before interview

10.DECLARATION

Conflict of Interests – please indicate any conflicts of interest, such as relation to someone within Advocacy Highland or any public duties you are required to perform (JP, Member of Local Authority, Board Membership, Quangos etc.)
Do you have any convictions other than any treated as spent under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974? If yes, please provide details
I hereby declare that all statements made in this application are true to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that canvassing, withholding or giving false information will disqualify my application or if discovered after appointment, may be grounds for dismissal or further action.
I authorise Advocacy Highland to approach former employers, educational establishments, government agencies and personal referees for verification of the information. Please note that references will not normally be taken up until a formal offer of employment is made.
Signed ______Date ______
PLEASE RETURN YOUR COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM TO: -
Advocacy Highland
2 Seafield Road
Inverness
IV1 1SG
Tel: - 01463 233460
OR

Visit our website –

Candidate Number …………..

(office use only)

Monitoring Form

As part of our equal opportunities policy recruitment is monitored to check that unfair discrimination is not taking place. To help us in this, please complete the following by ticking the relevant boxes. Please send this form along with your application form to the following address: -

The Manager, Advocacy Highland

2 Seafield Road

Inverness

IV1 1SG

How would you describe your racial/ethnic origin?

White ScottishOther White BritishWhite Irish

Other WhiteIndianPakistani

BangladeshOther South AsianChinese

CaribbeanGypsy/TravellerAfrica

Any mixed backgroundBlack Scottish

Black Other – please specify …………………………….Other – pleasespecify ……………………………….

My gender is:FemaleMale

Do you have a disability – as defined by Section 60 of the Equality Act 2010Yes No

If YES, please give details and identify any reasonable adjustments you feel should be made to the recruitment process to assist you in your application: -

Please identify any reasonable adjustments you feel should be made to the job or the environment or equipment which would enable you to carry out the job.