Job Description

Job Title:Advocate

Reports to:Advocacy Manager

Hours of Work:37 hours per week

Salary:£20,000 - £23,708 (starting £20,000)

Job Purpose

To provide professional advocacy to individuals and groups of people.

To represent the interests of people we provide services for within the areas we work and beyond in order to influence the development of their services and community at large.

Main Duties

1Professional Advocacy

1.1To work together with people who may be elderly; have a learning or physical disability; be a carer; be on the autistic spectrum or have mental health issues and who feel disadvantaged or unableto speak up for themselves.

1.2To ensure that people have sufficient, relevant and timely information on which to make informed choices and decisions.

1.3To support people at discussions and meetings, ensuring that they are included and listened to, and that their views are taken into account.

1.4To help people exercise their legal rights by assisting them to use advice, representation and other services available to the public.

1.5To establish and maintain constructive relationships with care managers and other professionals.

2Self-Advocacy

2.1To work with people to develop self-advocacy groups.

2.2To enable members of self-advocacy groups to take increasing responsibility for the running of their groups, providing support and coaching as necessary.

2.3To arrange, administer and publicise the self-advocacy group programme.

2.4To ensure the timely arrangements for each self-advocacy group meeting.

3Other Duties

3.1To undertake short-term project work as agreed with the Advocacy Manager and Executive Manager.

3.2To take part in staff meetings; receive supervision; be appraised and set personal objectives.

3.3To support the Advisory Group and other meetings as required.

3.4To contribute to the setting and achievement of organisational objectives and targets.

3.5To undertake further training and personal developments as required.

3.6To comply with the policies and procedures of Just Advocacy, including terms and conditions of employment, confidentiality, equal opportunities.

3.7To be responsible for own and others health and safety at all times.

3.8To undertake any other duties as required which fall within the scope of this role

This job description describes the normal duties that Just Advocacy expects from the post-holder. However, it is necessary for all staff to be flexible regarding specific duties. You may be asked from time to time to perform other duties as required in order to maintain an effective service to the people we support and to ensure the efficient running of the organisation.

Person Specification

Advocate

Experience and Knowledge

  1. Knowledge of health and social services procedures for assessing needs, care planning and care management.
  1. Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act.
  1. Understanding of the principles and practice of advocacy.
  1. Experience of working with vulnerable people.
  1. Understanding of the needs of the client groups we support.
  1. Understanding of voluntary agencies.

Abilities

  1. Ability to work in partnership with the people we support.
  1. Excellent communication skills and a basic knowledge and willingness to learn about the various ways people with communication difficulties can be supported to have a voice.
  1. Ability to manage a varied caseload and to be able to balance the competing demands with good organisational skills.
  1. Ability to be an effective member of a team.
  1. Willingness to work alone as required.
  1. Ability to maintain working relations with a range of professionals.
  1. Ability to use initiative and to take decisions.
  1. Ability to set boundaries and create a good working environment.
  1. Ability to promote Just Advocacy in a variety of settings.
  1. Excellent written and report writing skills.
  1. Excellent computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Personal

  1. Commitment to upholding the rights of vulnerable people who face discrimination or disadvantage.
  1. Willingness to share good practice and support fellow advocates.
  1. Willingness to work flexibly or outside the job description for the good of the service when required.
  1. Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends if required.
  1. Professional attitude with ability to act as ambassador for Just Advocacy in all arenas.
  1. A strong commitment to equality and diversity.
  1. A commitment to ongoing personal and professional development.
  1. Current driving licence and use of car for work, including taking passengers (although support will be available for someone with a disability where reasonable adjustments can be made).

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