Community Advocacy Coordinator (Bexley and Bromley)
Job Description
Post: Community Advocacy Co ordinator
Reporting to: Development and Operations Manager
Hours 21 per week
Summary
This is a specialist advocacy service for people with a learning disability and/or Autism or Asperger’s syndrome age 18+. The project is for people who do not access services and who have little or no support.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, creative person, to work across Bexley and Bromley boroughs, who can recruit volunteer advocates to provide high quality, confidential, independent advocacy. Advocates support people to lead independent lives, manage the issues they face in their daily lives and gain the confidence to self advocate. The successful person will need to understand the different communication needs of people with a learning disability and/or Autism and the issues they face in their daily lives.
Advocates support clients to express their views, assisting them in safeguarding their rights and ensuring that those who are particularly vulnerable or excluded have an opportunity to have advocacy support on issues which are of importance to them.
Main duties and responsibilities:
- undertake advocacy work as time and demand requires
- recruit, train and support volunteer advocates to provide 1:1 advocacy support to achieve positive outcomes for those who use the project
- make sure that all discussions and meetings concerning the person are focussed on their needs and aspirations and they are involved in meaningful and appropriate ways
- communicate in such a way that the person has a clear understanding of their options
- work with each person identified who requires advocacy to meet his or her individual needs. Support people in a way that promotes dignity and respect
- to network across both boroughs to raise awareness of the project and to attend meetings relevant to the work
- maintain and accurately record information in line with the Data Protection Act
- make sure all relevant legislation, particularly those relating to Equal Opportunities and Disability Discrimination are being consistently applied and promoted
- to actively promote the Community Advocacy Project and the organisation and contribute to publicity materials to include newsletters and reports
- to work in line with Advocacy for All’s Policies and Procedures
- to undertake all other duties as reasonably requested by the Development and Operations Manager and Chief Executive
Advocacy for All
Person Specification
Post: community Advocacy Coordinator (Bexley and Bromley)
Knowledge/experience- working in advocacy or a related area
- working with people with people with a learning disability and/or Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome
- working with community and social issues
- working with volunteers
- working knowledge of current relevant legislation
Ability
- to understand the different needs people face
- to empathise with people’s life experiences
- to be non judgemental
- to manage appropriate boundaries in the advocacy relationship
- to work on own initiative to identify and access relevant information
- to work sensitively with different groups in local communities
- to demonstrate tact and diplomacy when dealing with people at different levels
- to work flexibility to include some evenings and weekends
- to work with and provide support for volunteer advocates
- to work within a team
- to have a clean driving licence and use of a vehicle for work
Communication
- a range of communication skills required for working with people with a learning disability or Autism
- excellent communication, interpersonal and team building skills
- research and report writing skills and the ability to analyse, interpret and present data
- Microsoft software applications to include Word and Excel
- good problem solving skills
Advocacy for All is an independent advocacy organisation
Registered charity no: 1064885