Advocacy Worker
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post:Advocacy Worker
Hours:18.75 – 30 per week (To be discussed at interview)
Location:Office base in Barnsley (Advocacy delivery across the Barnsley area)
Accountable to:Case Management Coordinator
Pay:£20,150 p.a. FTE
Other: Permanent Contract subject to a six month probationary period and an annual performance review.
Appointment subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service(DBS) enhanced with barred list check. Two satisfactory references and evidence must be provided of a right to work in the United Kingdom.
This post and annual salary review, are the subject to annual performance appraisal.
Overall Purpose:
To provide advocacy to people accessing Generic Advocacy Service for Vulnerable Adults across the Barnsley area (and possibly other parts of South Yorkshire by arrangement). This will include working with people with, learning disabilities, physical and sensory impairments, acquired brain injuries, older people, people with mental health needs and unpaid carers. The role will involve supporting individuals to speak for themselves or to provide representation where this is not possible.
The post holder will assist in providing a response to enquiries and referrals and contribute to the general running and development of the company.
The post holder will work in conjunction with other staff of the agency, and will assist in the coordination and development of the service where appropriate.
Key tasks:
Advocacy
- To provide a telephone response to enquiries and requests for advocacy support.
- To provide a response to requests for advocacy within service time limits.
- To carry out and complete an assessment of advocacy need.
- To complete an advocacy action plan in partnership with the client.
- To signpost to appropriate specific legal advice and other appropriate services where necessary.
- To provide confidential one to one advocacy.
- To assist individuals using to participate in their assessment and care planning and to represent their views when necessary.
- To attend support advocacy clients at meetings and forums such as social care assessments and reviews, Carers Assessments, ward rounds, complaints meetings, meetings with the social care providers etc.
- To ensure that individuals using the service are able to make informed choices about their support and care.
- To ensure that people using the service are able to assert their rights are supported to self advocate whenever possible.
- Encourage individuals to explore their potential to the fullest, push boundaries and take risks to maintain or regain increased control over their daily lives.
- Facilitate self advocacy groups and skills training with and for service users.
- To work within and comply with the contractual remit of the service, the code of practice, code of conduct, company rules and all policies.
Administration, Monitoring & Evaluation
- To complete case recording in accordance with agency practice, using the Lamplight system. To update and complete case records within agency time limits.
- To maintain satisfactory records and administration systems and contribute to the efficient running of the service
- To record inputs, outputs and outcomes in accordance with agency procedures.
- To indentify issues of importance raised by individuals using the service from their views and experiences and promote these through relevant means e.g. service user groups, planning, meetings etc.
- To actively participate in and contribute to team meetings, supervision sessions and staff appraisals as arranged.
- To assist in establishing criteria for good practice in advocacy and in monitoring and evaluating the service against these criteria
Accountability
- To seek guidance and support from management staff.
- To record movements in office diary and provide relevant information to Service Managers as requested.
- To Work Closely with the client in accordance with the code of practice and other agency procedures
Working with others
Internal
- To attend team meetings & planning meetings with colleagues.
- To induct and support students, volunteers and new staff including providing shadowing opportunities
External
- To liaise with service providers, relatives and others engaged with/working with service users as part of the advocacy role.
- To develop good working relationships with other agencies and with referrers.
Project Development
- To contribute to the development of operational and administrative policies, practices and procedures.
- To publicise and promote the work of the organisation and the development of advocacy, including innovative models of advocacy.
- To take part in and contribute to training and development (Including completion of the national advocacy qualification.
In addition:
- As an employee the agency expects everyone to demonstrate positive social care values while performing your role – these include: compassion, dignity, integrity, respect and responsibility.
- All staff have a responsibility toward the effective running of the company. As such new tasks and duties may develop in the light of experience. These may be allocated where reasonable, after discussion with the post holder.
Advocacy Worker - Person Specification
Requirements / Essential / Desirable / How evidencedEducation and Qualifications /
- General secondary/higher education. Ability to write clear and concise English and competent in numeracy
Qualification Certificates
Experience and Knowledge /
- Knowledge of the legislation, policies and procedures that influence health and social care provision.
- Recent experience in a paid or voluntary capacity involving a face to face role with people using mental health or social care services.
- Understanding of the advocacy role.
Skills and abilities /
- Ability to listen to and engage with people both in a face to face role and over the telephone.
- Ability to display empathy in a range of situations
- An understanding of the needs and issues faced by people using mental health and social care services.
- Excellent negotiation skills.
- Ability to work within role boundaries, and policies and procedures of the organisation.
- Self motivated and able to work under own initiative
- Ability to use supervision and peer support effectively.
- Ability to manage a complex workload and to prioritise effectively
- Commitment to equal opportunities
- Ability to build positive working relationships and networks with other professionals
- Ability to keep up to date, accurate and accessible case records.
- Ability to reflect on and learn from experience and maintain an awareness of oneself.
- Good negotiation skills.
- Possession of general office skills and IT literate
Other: /
- Ability to travel across the Barnsley area and other areas by agreement
- Willingness to undertake National Advocacy Qualification and other training as identified.
- Must not be employed by any health and social care organisation in Yorkshire at time of appointment.
When completing your application form, please address all of the ‘essential’ points in numerical order of the person specification and any of the ‘desirable’ points you are able to fulfil. If you do not address them, the assumption will be made that you do not meet that particular requirement for the role, and this will reduce your chances of invitation for interview.