Living Well Advocacy Coordinator

Fixed term (12 months from date of appointment)

Job Description

Reports to:Living Well Services Manager

Work base:Boscawen House, Truro

Salary:£18,065 per annum to be paid monthly

Holidays: 22 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing by 1 day per year after 1 years’ service to a maximum of 30 days. Plus 2 days at Christmas with an additional day on post holders Birthday.

Hours of work: 37 hours per week Monday to Friday

The nature of this post will require travel within a specified area therefore a requirement of this post will be access to and the use of a reliable car and a current driving licence.

This role will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

As duties and responsibilities change, the job description will be reviewed and amended in consultation with the post holder.

Purpose of the job

To provide free, independent help and support to people within Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, working with a commitment to the empowerment of people where individuals are supported in putting forward their views and make informed decisions about their lives.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee Care Act Advocacy on behalf of Age UK Cornwall & The Isles of Scilly and allocate volunteers to provide support as needed.
  • Clarify and provide the level of assistance and support needed from the personrequesting advocacy support to ensure that their choices and decisions are the starting point for action.
  • Assist and support people in a non-judgemental way, enabling individuals to speak up for themselves and secure their rights.
  • Maintain accurate records of casework with the service user, maintaining accountability and confidentiality at all time to both the service user of Age UK Cornwall &The Isles of Scilly.
  • Liaise with public, professionals, referral agencies, clients and other volunteers of statutory, independent and voluntary organisations, ensuring integrated service provision according to the specified needs of the service user.
  • Maintain boundaries of being an Age UK Cornwall and The Isles of Scilly Advocate distinguishing between the needs, views and opinions of the service user from those of your own.
  • Work alongside a wide range of people with varying levels of need actively listening and responding appropriately within the role.
  • Identify effective strategies for communication with people often with challenging communication needs.
  • Participate in the monitoring and evaluation of the work carried out by yourself and the organisation
  • Attend support meetings to share good practice and explore common successes and difficulties and gain mutual support with other advocates

General

  • Attend mandatory training and meetings as directed by the Line Manager.
  • Abide by the Organisation’s confidentiality, equal opportunities and other relevant policies.
  • To uphold the highest standard of personal conduct in all matters relating to the role
  • To follow set procedures for maximum efficiency and to work within health and safety regulations and accepted guidelines
  • Such other duties as required by the Manager/Director of Care which are consistent with the duties and responsibilities of this post.

Person Specification - This person specification details the experience, skills, knowledge, personal qualities and qualifications desirable for the post.

Experience

Essential

  • Working with older people
  • Working in a team
  • Communication with people who have a wide range of ages, cultures and backgrounds

Desirable

  • Volunteering
  • The Health & Social Care sector
  • The voluntary and community sector

Knowledge

Essential

  • Windows - word, internet, excel
  • Issues affecting older people
  • An understanding of the services available to support older people locally and nationally
  • Knowledge regarding the Department of Adult Social Care and the health sector

Desirable

  • Geographical knowledge of Cornwall
  • Voluntary sector in Cornwall
  • Knowledge of Age UK Cornwall & The Isles of Scilly
  • Housing issues

Skills

Ability to:

  • An understanding of the principles of advocacy and of the role of an advocate.
  • Demonstrate good assessment and negotiation skills.
  • An understanding of how and where to access information that may be requested e.g. Person Centred plans, direct payment legislation, welfare benefits, complaints procedures etc.
  • Be able to work alongside a wide range of people with varying levels of need.
  • Able to listen and have good communication.
  • Demonstrate excellent time management skills
  • Demonstrate sound judgment and risk management based on knowledge and understanding
  • Plan, prioritise and deliver totimescales
  • Work as part of a team
  • Network effectively to achieve outcomes
  • Represent the organisation well
  • Demonstrate familiarity with information
  • Make decisions appropriately and competently
  • Operate with confidence and integrity
  • Implement and promote organisational decisions and policies positively
  • Find creative solutions by involving other organisations and volunteers

Disclosure and Barring Service

This post is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check, which will disclose all cautions, reprimands and warnings as well as convictions. In addition to completing this application form you are required to provide us with details of all spent and unspent convictions. Please send this information to us under separate, confidential cover to the Director of Human Resources. Remember to include your name, address and the position for which you are applying. We guarantee that the information you provide be used fairly and will only be seen by those who need to see it as part of the recruitment process.

A criminal record will not necessarily bar you from the advertised position. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of your offences. However, failure to reveal this information could lead to the withdrawal of an offer of employment.