Visiting Advocates-Non instructed advocacy
Person Specification
* Method of Assessment
A = Application Form D = Documentary Evidence (e.g. Certificates/Portfolio) I = Interview (panel and/or young people)
E = Exercise
Please note that this column is indicative of where each criterion is likely to be tested, however all elements of the person specification may be tested at any stage of the recruitment process. Candidates must use each element of the person specification as a heading in the supporting statement of their application, explaining clearly and with examples how they meet the criteria.
Factor / Criteria / Essential/Desirable / Method of Assessment*A / D / I / E
Education / Experience /
- A good standard of education including an advocacy, social care, counselling, youth work or other relevant qualification NB candidates without a relevant professional qualification but with more than three years experience in social care, advice, counselling or youth work will be considered.
- At least one year’s experience of direct work in a professional capacity with children/young people from diverse backgrounds
- Experience of working with a range of professionals including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service professionals, Social Services, Youth Offending Teams, and residential care staff.
- Experience of working with vulnerable young people, children and young people in secure settings (STCs, YOIs, etc) or in residential care knowledge of young people’s mental health issues, looked after children, disability.
Skills and Abilities /
- Ability to listen to and communicate effectively with children and young people
- Ability to engender empowerment with children and young people and to represent their feelings and wishes in the decision making process
- Ability to work with children and young people in ways that are non-judgemental, safe, open and respect their rights
- Ability to work in partnership with other professionals involved with children/young people
- Ability to organise own work, use IT systems competently and be reliable
- High level of written skills and the ability to produce excellent letters and reports
- Specialist expertise in children’s residential care or adolescent psychiatric care or learning disability services.
- Specialist expertise and skills working with young people with learning disabilities and/or developmental disorders e.g. Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD), ADHD.
Knowledge /
- Good understanding of the role and purpose of advocacy for children/young people
- Demonstrable knowledge of Children’s Rights, the child and adolescent mental health system or the care system, and an understanding of the responsibilities of professionals towards young people using these services
- Understanding of complaints and representations procedures and issues faced by young people when making complaints.
- Demonstrable understanding of the mental health problems experienced by young people and their resulting needs from services and professionals.
- Understanding of the possible tensions between the needs of the child and the agencies providing services to them
- Understanding of confidentiality and child protection issues in relation to advocacy
- Knowledge and understanding of The Children Act, The Mental Health Act, the National Standards for Advocacy and other relevant legislation.
General /
- Commitment to anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practices, and the ability to challenge discrimination on any grounds
- Commitment to the rights of the child/young person to have a voice in the way they are cared for, in decisions that are made about their lives and the development and delivery of the services they receive.
- Commitment to learning and professional development
- Commitment to working in line with Coram Voicevalues
- Willing to commit to weekly visits at the named children’s residential setting and to have a degreeof flexibility to occasionally attend young people’s meetings/reviews.
- Access to a phone and secure internet connection