Victim Supports London Victim and Witness Service is looking for a number of Independent Domestic Violence Advocates to help support our growing specialist domestic abuse team across the whole of London. We would especially welcome applicants who speak a second language including; Korean, Polish, Turkish, Arabic and Portuguese and those from the LGBTQIA community.

Victim Support (VS) is an independent charity for people affected by crime in England and Wales. We work towards a world where people affected by crime or traumatic events get the support they need and respect they deserve.

The main purpose of the job is to provide a high-quality frontline service to victims of domestic violence, with a view to improving their confidence, increasing their safety and reducing the risk of domestic homicide, honour-based violence, and harm from abuse.

You will work in partnership with other agencies to develop and deliver risk management plans to ensure victims' safety. You will be responsible for advocating on behalf of survivors of domestic abuse and managing and reviewing your cases.

The successful candidate will have a thorough understanding of domestic abuse and its impact on victim/survivors and their children, as well as experience of providing emotional and practical support and strong casework management skills.

You will have the skills to provide effective crisis intervention, carry out risk assessments, safety planning, assessment of needs and individual support planning. You should have demonstrable experience of working in an IDVA or similar position with this or a similar client group.

You will understand the legal system in how it relates to survivors of domestic abuse and have strong communication skills and the confidence and ability to present and educate service users and agency partners on the realities and impacts of domestic abuse in a variety of settings. An ability to work independently and prioritise a busy workload is essential.

To be successful in this role you will ideally hold a SafeLives (CAADA) accreditation or commensurate experience (normally at least 1 year of direct casework experience supporting high and very high risk victims of domestic abuse).

An enhanced criminal record check is required for this role.

Victim Support offers competitive rewards and benefits including pension and life assurance, 25 days annual leave (pro-rata), voluntary benefits such as season ticket loans, and the opportunity to play a key role in a national charity providing world-class services to victims and witnesses and being a vital force for change.

Applications should be explicit enough to provide good evidence against the shortlisting criteria, which are marked in the person specification as (A). In order to apply, please create a profile in our website (jobs section), complete and submit an online application form. If the vacancy has not specified the essential criteria for shortlisting, please use this section to express how your experience and skills are relevant for the role.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks will be required.

Victim Support is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe having a diverse workforce at all levels allows us to represent the communities we serve and connect better with people affected by crime. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all communities and monitor the diversity of applicants to analyse if we are representative of the communities we serve in terms of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, age and socio-economic status. As part of our commitment to the Race at Work Charter we would particularly welcome applicants from BAME communities.

If you have the drive to make a difference within an organisation which makes a difference we look forward to hearing from you.

We are looking for a really capable team member, who will bring a range of skills, experience and drive to our small communications team – with a passion for news, stories and messages, a customer-focused outlook, and who is brimming with ideas for delivering stand-out digital communications, and supporting others to do so. It is an exciting role in an area of work where no two days are ever the same.

The successful candidate will play a key operational role in implementing the Diocese of Guildford’s Communications strategy, carrying out a wide variety of tasks and supporting the wider Diocesan strategy: ‘Transforming Church; Transforming Lives’. They will also provide the day-to-day running and management of the Diocese of Guildford’s website, social media and digital platforms, including generating, editing and uploading content whilst enhancing the digital presence and outreach. And lastly, they will provide critical communications guidance, training, digital advice and support to the parishes, chaplaincies and schools in support of their work in their parishes and across the Diocese.

This is an exciting time to join our diocese and our relatively new Communications Team. The way people engage and interact with church and faith has changed radically since March 2020 and a global pandemic – the first lockdown saw a rapid growth in digital awareness, use and reach for the Church of England and people exploring faith in a time of National crisis. Our online audiences are now bigger than our in-person congregations and our ability to use technology and go where our audiences are, has shown rapid and real improvements.

The full job description, person specification, further details about the diocese and information on how to apply for the role can be found in the application pack attached.

To apply

Complete an application form attached and send it to our 'recruitment' email address (at the end of the form) with a covering statement explaining why you are interested in the role and outlining why you are the best candidate, no later than the closing date: 30th April 2021. Full instructions are in the application pack or on our website if you follow the link through. We look forward to hearing from you!

2021 is shaping up to be a significant year for climate action. With major international climate talks planned for November and governments and businesses alike making big announcements, change is in the air.

Bioregional’s communications team is vital to ensuring that we play our full part in maximizing the opportunities of unprecedented environmental awareness and action, and helping set the world on a path to net zero emissions.

We are looking for a strategic communicator. Someone who can help us cut through the noise to reach our target audiences within the built environment, retail and local government sectors, and to lead our small but mighty communications team in raising our profile, promoting our services, and sharing our brilliant stories. Our aim: to show others that a better future is still within our grasp, and inspire them to take bold action now.

Responsibilities and experience required

Our Head of Communications oversees all communications and marketing activities. This includes working with our advisory teams to promote their services and expertise through digital communications and PR, overseeing a programme of events, and supporting our CEO to add our constructive voice to relevant policy debates.

They are also responsible for promoting wider use of our internationally recognised sustainability framework, One Planet Living®.

Our ideal candidate will have:

• A strong track record of achievement in a communications, marketing or PR role
• Excellent writing and editing skills for a range of audiences
• A good working knowledge of a broad range of digital communications channels and tools
• Experience in leading teams, able to bring out the best in people
• Experience of working within a sustainability or purpose-led organisation
• Strong interpersonal, influencing and negotiation skills
• A deep personal commitment to sustainability

About Bioregional

Bioregional has been winning awards and creating cutting-edge solutions to sustainability for over 25 years. Our ambition is simple. We want to inspire people to live happy, healthy lives within the natural limits of the planet, leaving space for wildlife and wilderness. We call this One Planet Living.

Bioregional is known for being an exceptionally friendly place to work, with a strong team culture that continues to thrive even during the pandemic.

Diversity and inclusion

Bioregional is committed to increasing diversity within our organisation, and the environmental sector as a whole. We welcome job applications from everyone, and treat all applications equally, regardless of age, disability, gender identity or gender expression, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or any other equality characteristic. We expressly welcome applications from people of a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background.

More information

The post is permanent and full-time and is normally based at our offices at BedZED in South London, on the mainline Victoria and Thameslink train lines.

Salary: £49,000 to £55,000 depending on experience, plus 6% employer’s ethical pension contribution and 25 days of annual leave, rising by one day a year up to five years’ service.

Deadline for applications

9am, Monday 24 May 2021

We aim to hold interviews on either 3 or 4 June 2021. We regret that as we have limited resources, only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

VoiceAbility are recruiting 2 full-time advocates to join our London (Redbridge) team. VoiceAbility supports people who face disadvantage or discrimination to have a voice that counts. VoiceAbility supports people who face disadvantage or discrimination to have a voice that counts. Providing advocacy and user involvement services across England, VoiceAbility is a growing organisation working with people who are vulnerable or marginalised to raise their voices and have their rights respected.

About the role:

Advocates support people who may be marginalised or vulnerable to speak up and be heard. Their work strengthens voices, supports human rights and changes lives. Advocacy can be vital for people who cannot speak up for themselves, or people who feel they do not have the power to do so.

Advocates work in on the front line delivering positive outcomes for the people they support. Advocates will support and enable service users’ understanding of their options. Advocates empower individuals to communicate their views in decision making processes, supporting them to make challenges when necessary and asking pertinent questions on the person’s behalf where they are unable to do so for themselves.

Location: This role will be home based. You will need to be able to travel and work primarily across the Redbridge area.

Hours: 2 x 35 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: £23,000 - £30,000 per annum pro rata – Starting at £23,000 per annum depending on Qualifications. Future scope to earn up to £30,000 subject to qualifications and performance (London scale)

Benefits: 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays; 5% employer pension & 3% employee contribution; Salary sacrifice pension scheme; Separate Life Assurance Cover; Staff discount scheme including supermarkets, fashion, restaurants, cinemas, holidays and much more; Discounted Gym Membership; Employee Assistance programme; Supportive working environment fostering a good work/life balance; Support with professional development.

Closing date for applications:5pm Monday 10th May 2021
Assessment test: Written scenario to be completed and returned on Monday 17th May 2021
Interviews: To be held online via Teams Thursday 20th May 2021

 
 About you:

• Be passionate about empowering and enabling individuals to have their wishes, feelings, beliefs, and needs taken into account when decisions are made about their care
• Demonstrate excellent verbal, listening and written communication skills
• Have the ability to engage with people with complex needs and communication difficulties
• Be experienced in influencing and working with health and social care professionals, legal services, care staff, family members etc.
• Be able to build good relationships with clients, health and social care professionals, legal professionals, and carers
• Be able to identify and act appropriately where issues of safeguarding individuals arise
• Have strong IT skills to accurately record information in line with policy and current data standards
• Be experienced in working with marginalised and vulnerable adults and/or children
• Be able to research complex and sensitive issues independently, using case law, national policy and guidance for advocates to work for resolution of issues
• Be able to work to tight and changing deadlines
• Be able to work independently
• Preferably hold a full, clean UK driving licence and have access to own transport. There is travel involved in the role. 

Desirable skills or experience:

• Hold or be working towards Independent Advocacy Qualification
• Experience of working in schools, colleges, registered care homes and supported living services, education or care settings with children and young people
• Experience of autism, learning disabilities and complex needs, including behaviours of concern
• Knowledge and experience of; Children’s Act (1989), Care Act (2014) and Mental Capacity Act (2007), The Principles of Human Rights and Advocacy, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, Mental Health Act (1983, revised 2007), Equality Act (2010).

NB If you don't already hold the Independent Advocacy Qualification, it is a requirement of that you complete this within 12 months of commencing employment.

You may have experience of the following: Advocacy, Vulnerable Adults and Children, Specialist educational settings, Residential Care, Youth work, Social Work, Healthcare, Policy, Legislation, Support Work, Charity, Third Sector, Advice & Guidance.
 
How to Apply: To apply for this role, please complete the online application form using the criteria in the person specification and upload your CV detailing your work history. NB CV's will not be used to short list.

Equality and Diversity Statement  
VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential.

It has been a testing year for everyone, including charity leaders, many of whom are facing increased demand with reduced resources in a tough influencing environment. We are looking for a head of advocacy who can think boldly and creatively to address these challenges.

ACEVO is the network for social sector CEOs, here to inspire and support our members throughout their careers, to help them create the biggest possible difference. We want someone whose advocacy and communications work is built on values of inclusion, collaboration and mobilisation.

ACEVO’s vision for its advocacy work is to help shape the agenda on issues that matter to our members, and ensure their voices are heard by those who have the power to effect change.

You will help us:

• Support and enable our members to lead strong, sustainable organisations that meet the needs of their beneficiaries.
• Celebrate the dedication, professionalism and expertise of civil society leaders.
• Represent the experiences and needs of our membership to those with the ability to make positive changes for the sector.
• Stimulate debate that guides the improvement of sector standards and stronger leadership.
• Work with partner organisations to drive collective cross-sector change.
• Mobilise our members to work alongside us to achieve ambitious changes to policies that negatively impact civil society.
• Achieve political change by pursuing reforms which are both aspirational and practical.

You will head up ACEVO’s small but impactful advocacy team and set our advocacy, policy and external comms priorities in line with our organisational strategic objectives. You will oversee our output of policy positions, research, briefings, press statements and reports. You will work with the chief executive to set the tone and agree the messaging for our external communications.

You will be a key part of the senior management team, contributing to both the development of our strategy and effective delivery of our strategic objectives.

We welcome applications from people seeking flexible working. The current post-holder works 28 hours a week, but we welcome applications from those seeking a five-day week, or from job-share applicants. You will be home based but with frequent visits to London to meet up with the team and attend events (one to three times a week when Covid regulations allow).

We’re offering a salary of £50k (FTE), 28 days holiday a year (plus bank holidays) and good pension benefits. In our most recent staff survey, 100% of our team said they enjoy their job and would recommend ACEVO as a great place to work.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a Zoom-based interview between 10-12 May, with second interviews for finalists being held on 17-19 May.

The Regional Marketing and Communications Manager helps people with sight loss to live the life they choose by driving the awareness and saliency of the Guide Dogs brand in the North West region by leading the development and activation of central, regional and local integrated communications & digital plans.

The role communicates the strategy and work of Guide Dogs, engaging key audiences both externally and internally (including service users, volunteers, staff, and supporters) to strengthen the brand.

This role is 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week, with 26 days paid holiday (excluding bank holidays) a year. As a charity, we’re always keen to support flexible working as best we can. We offer a generous pension scheme, life assurance and enhanced pay for parenting and sickness leave. In addition, we provide an Employee Assistance Programme, flexible benefits package and discounts and cashback scheme to care for our people.

More details about this role, the Organisation and the recruitment process can be found in the attached candidate pack and job description.

We reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date.

Diversity

Guide Dogs welcomes applications from all sections of the community and actively encourages diversity to maximise achievements, creativity and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability or nationality. We encourage applications from people with disabilities as they are currently under-represented in the organisation and guarantee an invitation to interview for all applicants with disabilities who demonstrate, within their application form, sufficient evidence to meet the essential criteria for the job.

Safeguarding

Guide Dogs is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk of harm with whom we work. We expect all our employees and volunteers to fully share this commitment.

Candidate requirements

To be able to fulfil this role, and provide help to those with sight loss, the skills and experience we are looking for in a potential candidate include;

Essential

• Proven experience of creation and implementation of communications and digital campaigns and projects to meet business objectives, with experience of targeting different audiences through media channels.
• Up to date with best practice and innovation in brand marketing, communications and digital
• Strong digital skills including a good knowledge of Microsoft Office packages, Word and PowerPoint.

Desirable

• Experience of working in the third sector.
• Previous brand management experience.
• Previous experience of being a key spokesperson for a large organisation, both with the media and with other organisations.

For the complete list of essential and desirable criteria necessary to be successful in this role please see the Person Specification within the Job Description below.

If you are successful you will need to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK. We cannot provide sponsorship for this role.

How to apply

Applications need to be made using the online application form, accessed using the ‘apply’ button above. As part of your application ensure you provide to evidence and examples of how your skills & experience meet the criteria as set out in the attached job description.

The system does have a time limit, we would advise you to complete your answers and copy and paste into the online form once finalised. Please note that you’ll have to upload a CV as this is a mandatory requirement as part of our Safer Recruitment Policy.

Guide Dogs follow Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding the vulnerable people we work with. As part of this, we require a full work history with any gaps accounted for & a minimum of 2 professional referee details fully covering the past 5 years. If there is not enough space in your application form to provide this information, please ensure you upload additional documentation containing the additional detail.

Remember to refer to the attached job description and candidate pack for more information about this role & the recruitment process at Guide Dogs.

Victim Support are looking for a full time IDVA to be based at St. George's Hospital, London.

Victim Support (VS) is an independent charity for people affected by crime in England and Wales. We work towards a world where people affected by crime or traumatic events get the support they need and respect they deserve.

The main purpose of the job is to provide a high-quality frontline service to victims of domestic violence, with a view to improving their confidence, increasing their safety and reducing the risk of domestic homicide, honour-based violence, and harm from abuse.

You will work in partnership with other agencies to develop and deliver risk management plans to ensure victims' safety. You will be responsible for advocating on behalf of survivors of domestic abuse and managing and reviewing your cases.

The successful candidate will have a thorough understanding of domestic abuse and its impact on victim/survivors and their children, as well as experience of providing emotional and practical support and strong casework management skills.

You will have the skills to provide effective crisis intervention, carry out risk assessments, safety planning, assessment of needs and individual support planning. You should have demonstrable experience of working in an IDVA or similar position with this or a similar client group.

You will understand the legal system in how it relates to survivors of domestic abuse and have strong communication skills and the confidence and ability to present and educate service users and agency partners on the realities and impacts of domestic abuse in a variety of settings. An ability to work independently and prioritise a busy workload is essential.

To be successful in this role you will ideally hold a SafeLives accreditation or commensurate experience (normally at least 1 year of direct casework experience supporting high and very high risk victims of domestic abuse).

An enhanced criminal record check is required for this role.

Victim Support offers competitive rewards and benefits including pension and life assurance, 25 days annual leave (pro-rata), voluntary benefits such as season ticket loans, and the opportunity to play a key role in a national charity providing world-class services to victims and witnesses and being a vital force for change.

Applications should be explicit enough to provide good evidence against the shortlisting criteria, which are marked in the person specification as (A). In order to apply, please create a profile in our website (jobs section), complete and submit an online application form.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks will be required.

If the vacancy has not specified the essential criteria for shortlisting, please use this section to express how your experience and skills are relevant for the role. If you have the drive to make a difference within an organisation which makes a difference we look forward to hearing from you.

Victim Support is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe having a diverse workforce at all levels allows us to represent the communities we serve and connect better with people affected by crime. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all communities and monitor the diversity of applicants to analyse if we are representative of the communities we serve in terms of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, age and socio-economic status. As part of our commitment to the Race at Work Charter we would particularly welcome applicants from BAME communities

If you have the drive to make a difference within an organisation which makes a difference we look forward to hearing from you.

Would you like to work for a leading mental health charity?

Do you want a rewarding career where you can really make a difference?

If yes, join us here at Rethink Mental Illness where we have an exciting opportunity for a Statutory Advocate to join our friendly inspirational Devon Advocacy Team. Your role would be a permanent position working part time, 4 days per week (28 hours) based in Dawlish. Some home working would also be required.

Who are we?

Rethink Mental Illness is a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns, advice and information. Rethink Advocacy is part of the same charity, though we work across a range of disciplines in addition mental health. We specialise in many different types of advocacy, providing services in a range of settings across the country such as hospitals, secure units and care homes.

In everything we do, we seek to demonstrate our values: Passion, Commitment, Openness, Hope, Expertise and Understanding. If these values resonate with you, we would love to hear from you.

What do we do in at our service?

Here in Devon we provide two statutory advocacy contracts.

The first provides Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) in Langdon Secure Hospital, Dawlish. The other provides IMHA, Care Act and Independent Health Complaints Advocacy across Devon and Torbay. During the past year we have had to adapt to attending a lot of meetings remotely. Where face to face work has continued, we have adhered to strict rules in order to maintain a Covid safe environment for our staff and clients.

What would you be doing?

You will be working across the two contracts, on site at Langdon for two days per week and travelling across Devon and Torbay for the remaining time. Some of the Devon and Torbay work is still remote at present but we hope this will change in the not too distant future. In addtiton, you will be:

• Providing a high quality, responsive and effective advocacy service in accordance with the service specification, contract and legislative timescales.
• Ensuring that individuals understand and can exercise their rights; supporting people to access information, to understand better what is happening, what is planned, and the options available to them to make better informed decisions and be more involved in their care and support.
• Acting on allocated referrals in accordance with the service standards and engagement protocols, communicating with referrers as required in order to ensure the client’s rights under the relevant act are observed.
• Representing patients’ interests when they are not able to do so themselves, including working within a best-interests framework for any eligible patient who lacks the mental capacity to instruct the advocate
• Keeping accurate factual records relating to the service users and their cases, including keeping the case management database up to date.

Do you have what we are looking for?

• Completed, working towards, or willing to work towards The National Qualification in Independent Advocacy (Level 3 or new Level 4)
• Completed, working towards, or willing to work towards additional specialist units: IMCA, DoLS, IMHA, ICAA.
• Experience of working in one or more of the following specialist areas: learning disabilities; mental capacity; mental health; older people; physical disabilities; sensory impairment; substance misuse.
• A good understanding of advocacy practice and principles of empowerment and knowledge of relevant legislation
• Ability to respect and promote a person’s right to make informed choices and decisions without influence
• Ability to manage a complex caseload covering a wide range of subjects ensuring independence and clarity of decision making.
• Ability to support clients who may have a range of communication and other needs.
• Ability to collate information and write formal reports to a high professional standard.
• Ability to travel throughout the locality.

What will you receive?

You will receive the opportunity to make a real difference every day. This will be made possible due to our excellent career development opportunities including funded face to face training, and a range of online e-learning courses.

You will also receive:

• Salary of £21,703.54 to 23,906.01 pro rata  
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life assurance and employee assistance programme
• 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days plus bank holidays  
• Your "Rethink Day" - 1 day’s additional leave (pro rata) on your Birthday
• Eyecare vouchers
• Flexible working  

Don’t just change jobs, change lives!

Just a couple of final things,

We welcome applications from everyone, applicants with lived experience, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning+ (LGBTQ+), people with a disability, or those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds are actively encouraged to apply. We are proud to have also been awarded Disability Confident employer status. We have an ambition of becoming an anti-racist organisation and we recognise there is more to do in ensuring our recruitment is fair and inclusive, which is why we are recruiting new roles in helping us to achieve this. Please be mindful that we may need to close adverts early if we receive a high volume of applications, we therefore encourage you to apply as soon as possible. If a shortened closing date has a significant impact on your ability to apply, please let us know.

About The Advocacy Project

We help marginalised and vulnerable people make effective choices about what happens in their lives. We also support them to speak up and help improve important services we all need. We want to make sure people across all age and care groups – including learning disability and mental health – can:

• voice their concerns

• understand their rights

• make effective choices about what happens in their lives

We do this through advocacy services which support people individually, and user involvement projects that help organisations improve the services they offer.

About the role

The post-holder will lead a team of advocates working with adults and young people across NHS and private hospitals and the local community.

You will be required to provide line management support, be the point of contact for our stakeholders and ensure high quality delivery of our advocacy contracts.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of assigned advocacy services actively encouraging your team to contribute to service planning, quality improvement and development.

• Ensure the team provides instructed and non-instructed advocacy and signposting, working to the advocacy empowerment cycle and actively promoting self-advocacy throughout all work with service users where practicable.

• Ensure the team capture high quality advocacy notes, outcomes information and other evidence into the Case Management System in a timely manner.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of new legislation and reports and current trends and issues in mental health, mental capacity, care act, and health and social care legislation, local and national policy relating to people with mental health issues and disseminate across your team.

• Ensure quality standards are achieved by implementing operational policies and procedures to maintain professional and consistent advocacy services.

• Ensure contracts are delivered within budget, to agreed key performance indicators, case work standards and monitoring requirements, eg producing reports including quarterly monitoring reports.

• Lead on raising awareness of the advocacy service to service users and potential referrers.

• Ensure referrals are allocated efficiently, appropriately and within the requirements of the contract.

• Provide support and supervision to your staff team including professional development, appraisals, team meetings and work review meetings, and organisational activities such as CPD lectures and staff briefings.

  General responsibilities

• Participate in team meetings and training (and make sure your staff to attend).

• Keep to our policies, including health & safety, and risk regulations.

• Work to our mission, vision, and values.

• Carry out other projects and tasks as needed.

• Participate in personal, team and organisational development.

• Contribute to monitoring reports.

Person specification

Essential

• Experience of delivering advocacy.

• Achieved qualification in advocacy.

• Proven leadership ability and strong people management skills.

• Experience of managing contracts and delivering advocacy services.

• Understanding of statutory and non-statutory advocacy.

• Sound knowledge of current issues in health and social care policy, practice and legislation.

• Exceptional stakeholder management abilities with experience of building effective relationships with ranging commissioners, partners, service users and colleagues.

• Excellent communications (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills. Effective in working with a wide variety of stakeholders ranging from trustees to service users and employees.

• Commitment to working within The Advocacy Project code of conduct, equalities and safeguarding policies.

• Ability to work as part of a team and on your own initiative, to plan and prioritise your own workload.

• Willingness to promote The Advocacy Project and the mental health service in line with our mission, vision and values.

Desirable

Achieved qualification in advocacy management

Benefits of working for us

We’re committed to providing an empowering, flexible and supportive working environment for all our staff.

Our employee benefits include 30 days annual leave (including up to 3 days between Christmas and New Year), participation in a pension scheme with 6% employer contribution, access to a free confidential counselling service, and an interest-free travel/bike loan.

All our staff are supported to learn and develop in a variety of ways, including a monthly lecture series where we invite sector experts to talk to our staff on topical issues.

We are a Disability Confident and Mindful Employer.

VoiceAbility in Shropshire is recruiting for a part time Advocate to join our team. VoiceAbility supports people who face disadvantage or discrimination to have a voice that counts. Providing advocacy and user involvement services across England, VoiceAbility is a growing organisation working with people who are vulnerable or marginalised to raise their voices and have their rights respected.
 
About the role:
Advocates support people who may be marginalised or vulnerable to speak up and be heard. Their work strengthens voices, supports human rights and changes lives. Advocacy can be vital for people who cannot speak up for themselves, or people who feel they do not have the power to do so. Advocates work in the front line delivering positive outcomes for the people they support. Advocates will support and enable service users’ understanding of their options. Advocates empower individuals to communicate their views in decision making processes, supporting them to make challenges when necessary and asking pertinent questions on the person’s behalf where they are unable to do so for themselves.
 
 
Location: This role will be home based. You will need to be able to travel around Shropshire.
 
Hours: circa 22 hours per week
 
Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: £21,000 - £26,500 Pro Rata Per Annum - Starting at £21,000 Depending on Qualifications. Future scope to earn up to £28,000 subject to qualifications and performance
 

Benefits: 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays; 5% employer pension & 3% employee contribution; Salary sacrifice pension scheme; Separate Life Assurance Cover; Staff discount scheme including supermarkets, fashion, restaurants, cinemas, holidays and much more; Discounted Gym Membership; Employee Assistance programme; Supportive working environment fostering a good work/life balance; Support with professional development.
 
Closing date for applications: 5pm Tuesday 4th May 2021
Assessment/ test: Written scenario to be completed and returned on Wednesday 12th May 2021
Interviews: To be held online via Teams week Wednesday 12th May 2021

About you:
• Be passionate about empowering and enabling individuals to have their wishes, feelings, beliefs, and needs taken into account when decisions are made about their care
• Demonstrate excellent verbal, listening and written communication skills
• Have the ability to engage with people with complex needs and communication difficulties
• Be experienced in influencing and working with health and social care professionals, legal services, care staff, family members etc.
• Be able to build good relationships with clients, health and social care professionals, legal professionals and carers
• Be able to identify and act appropriately where issues of safeguarding individuals arise
• Have strong IT skills to accurately record information in line with policy and current data standards
• Be experienced in working with marginalised and vulnerable adults and/or children
• Be able to research complex and sensitive issues independently, using case law, national policy and guidance for advocates to work for resolution of issues
• Be able to work to tight and changing deadlines
• Be able to work independently
• Hold a full, clean UK driving licence and have access to own transport. There is travel involved in the role.
 
Desirable skills or experience:
• Hold or be working towards Independent Advocacy Qualification.
• Knowledge and experience of the, Care Act (2014) and Mental Capacity Act (2007),The Principles of Human Rights and Advocacy, and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Mental Health Act (1983, revised 2007).

You may have experience of the following: Advocacy, Vulnerable Adults, Social Work, Healthcare, Policy, Legislation, Support Work, Charity, Third Sector, Advice & Guidance.

NB If you don't already hold the Independent Advocacy Qualification, it is a requirement that you complete this within 12 months of commencing employment.
 
How to Apply: To apply for this role, please complete the online application form using the criteria in the person specification and upload your CV detailing your work history. NB CV's will not be used to short list.

Equality and Diversity Statement  
VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential.

Would you like to work for a leading mental health charity?

Do you want a rewarding career where you can really make a difference?

If yes, join us here at Rethink Mental Illness.

We have an exciting opportunity for 2 Statutory Advocates to join our inspiring and friendly Essex Advocacy team. Your role will be a permanent position working full time, 35 hours per week based in the community.

Our Essex Advocacy service provides specialist advocacy services as appropriate across a range of disciplines including, IMCA, DOLS, Children & Young People’s Advocacy, RPR, IMHA, Care Act and Independent Health complaints. We provide a range of statutory (instructed or non-instructed) and non-statutory advocacy support in secure units, hospitals, care settings or in the community.

Who are we?

We’re Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns and advice and information. Our work supports us in delivering on our mission: “A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.”

In everything we do, we seek to demonstrate our values: Passion, Commitment, Openness, Hope, Expertise and Understanding. If these values resonate with you, we would love to hear from you.

What will you be doing?

• Providing a high quality, responsive and effective advocacy service in accordance with the service specification, contract and legislative timescales.
• Ensuring that individuals understand and can exercise their rights; supporting people to access information, to understand better what is happening, what is planned, and the options available to them to make better informed decisions and be more involved in their care and support.
• Acting on allocated referrals in accordance with the service standards and engagement protocols, communicating with referrers as required in order to ensure the client’s rights under the relevant act are observed.
• Representing patients’ interests when they are not able to do so themselves, including working within a best interests framework for any eligible patient who lacks the mental capacity to instruct the advocate
• Keeping accurate factual records relating to the service users and their cases, including keeping the case management database up-to-date.

Do you have what we are looking for?

• Completed or am working towards National Qualification in Independent Advocacy (Level 3 or new Level 4)
• Completed or working towards additional specialist units: IMCA, DoLS , IMHA, CYP, ICAA.
• Experience of working in one or more of the following specialist areas: learning disabilities; mental health/capacity; older people; physical disabilities; sensory impairment; children & young people; substance misuse; NHS Complaints.
• A good understanding of advocacy practice and principles of empowerment and knowledge of relevant legislation
• Ability to respect and promote a person’s right to make informed choices and decisions without influence
• Ability to manage a complex caseload covering a wide range of subjects ensuring independence and clarity of decision making.
• Ability to support clients who may have a range of particular communication and other needs.
• Ability to collate information and write formal reports to a high professional standard.
• Ability to travel throughout the Locality, including travel when required to Hub Office

What will you receive?

You will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your abilities with the opportunity to make a real difference every day. In addition, you will have excellent development opportunities including funded training, career development and a range e-learning courses. You will also receive:  

• Salary of £21,703.54 to £23,906.01 per annum
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life assurance and employee assistance programme
• 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days plus bank holidays  
• Your "Rethink Day" - 1 day’s additional leave (pro rata) on your Birthday
• Eyecare vouchers
• Flexible working  

Don’t just change jobs, change lives!

Just a couple of final things,

We welcome applications from everyone, applicants with lived experience, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning+ (LGBTQ+), people with a disability, or those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds are actively encouraged to apply. We are proud to have also been awarded Disability Confident employer status. We have an ambition of becoming an anti-racist organisation and we recognise there is more to do in ensuring our recruitment is fair and inclusive, which is why we are recruiting new roles in helping us to achieve this. Please be mindful that we may need to close adverts early if we receive a high volume of applications, we therefore encourage you to apply as soon as possible. If a shortened closing date has a significant impact on your ability to apply, please let us know.

Parks for London is evolving into a Centre for Excellence to support London’s parks and green spaces and we are looking for a dynamic and pro-active Communications Officer to join our small team. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape and develop new approaches to championing green space, at a time when parks and green spaces are very much in the spotlight and to build on our existing work.

The role will involve leading the charity’s communications and engagement work. This will include developing an ambitious yet achievable communications and engagement strategy and refining and enhancing the charity’s brand.The successful candidate will be an excellent communicator, able to communicate effectively with a broad range of audiences including under-represented communities and have experience in preparing and delivering effective strategies to drive action.

We are a small charity and the successful candidate will therefore work with all team members and will need to be a team player, ready and willing to respond and adapt to opportunities.

VoiceAbility are recruiting a part time advocate to join our Bolton team as an Advocate for Children & Young People. VoiceAbility supports people who face disadvantage or discrimination to have a voice that counts. Providing advocacy and user involvement services across England, VoiceAbility is a growing organisation working with people who are vulnerable or marginalised to raise their voices and have their rights respected.

About the role:

Advocates support people who may be marginalised or vulnerable to speak up and be heard. Their work strengthens voices, supports human rights and changes lives. Advocacy can be vital for people who cannot speak up for themselves, or people who feel they do not have the power to do so. Advocates work in on the front line delivering positive outcomes for the people they support. Advocates will support and enable service users’ understanding of their options. Advocates empower individuals to communicate their views in decision making processes, supporting them to make challenges when necessary and asking pertinent questions on the person’s behalf where they are unable to do so for themselves.

Location: This role will be home based. However, you will work within Residential Schools or other Community locations as required to meet the demands of the role. Therefore, you will need to be able to travel around Bolton.

Hours: circa 21-22.5 hours per week

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: £21,000 - £26,500 Pro rata Per Annum - Starting at £21,000 pro rata Depending on Qualifications. Future scope to earn up to £28,000 subject to qualifications and performance

All applications by: 5pm Monday 3rd May 2021.

Benefits: 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays; 5% employer pension & 3% employee contribution; Salary sacrifice pension scheme; Separate Life Assurance Cover; Staff discount scheme including supermarkets, fashion, restaurants, cinemas, holidays and much more; Discounted Gym Membership; Employee Assistance programme; Supportive working environment fostering a good work/life balance; Support with professional development.
 

About you:

• Be passionate about empowering and enabling individuals to have their wishes, feelings, beliefs, and needs taken into account when decisions are made about their care
• Demonstrate excellent verbal, listening and written communication skills
• Have the ability to engage with people with complex needs and communication difficulties
• Be experienced in influencing and working with health and social care professionals, legal services, care staff, family members etc.
• Be able to build good relationships with clients, health and social care professionals, legal professionals, and carers
• Be able to identify and act appropriately where issues of safeguarding individuals arise
• Have strong IT skills to accurately record information in line with policy and current data standards
• Be experienced in working with marginalised and vulnerable adults and/or children
• Be able to research complex and sensitive issues independently, using case law, national policy and guidance for advocates to work for resolution of issues
• Be able to work to tight and changing deadlines
• Be able to work independently
• Hold a full, clean UK driving licence and have access to own transport. There is travel involved in the role
• This post will include occasional evening working due to the client group.

Desirable skills or experience:

• Hold or be working towards Independent Advocacy Qualification
• Experience of working in schools, colleges, registered care homes and supported living services, education or care settings with children and young people
• Experience of autism, learning disabilities and complex needs, including behaviours of concern
• Knowledge and experience of; Children’s Act (1989), Care Act (2014) and Mental Capacity Act (2007), The Principles of Human Rights and Advocacy, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, Mental Health Act (1983, revised 2007), Equality Act (2010).

 
NB If you don't already hold the Independent Advocacy Qualification, it is a requirement of the role that you complete this within 12 months of commencing employment.
 
You may have experience of the following: Advocacy, Vulnerable Adults and Children, Specialist educational settings, Residential Care, Youth work, Social Work, Healthcare, Policy, Legislation, Support Work, Charity, Third Sector, Advice & Guidance.
 
How to Apply: To apply for this role, please complete the online application form using the criteria in the person specification and upload your CV detailing your work history. NB CV's will not be used to short list.

Closing date for applications: 5pm Monday 3rd May 2021

Assessment/ test: Written scenario to be completed and returned Monday 10th May 2021

Interviews: To be held online via Teams Monday 10th May 2021

Equality and Diversity Statement  
VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential.

This role

We are seeking a full-time member of staff to support the advocacy team, to deliver an effective and high-quality advocacy service. The advocacy team provides statutory advocacy services to clients across the North East under the Mental Health Act (IMHA), the Mental Capacity Act (IMCA) the Care Act and the Relevant Person’s Representative (RPR) role under Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS).

As a Senior Advocate you will line-manage 3-5 advocates oversee their support and development and will share responsibility for allocating clients to the team. You will work closely with our Advocacy Managers to support the development and improvement of our services.

You will also be expected to manage a caseload, which includes picking up referrals, arranging and attending client meetings and meetings with other professionals, ascertaining, and representing the client’s wishes.

Main responsibilities:

1. Provide appropriate line management, support and challenge to members of the advocacy team including detailed case support to advocates in your team.
2. Oversee the training and development of your team.
3. Monitor service capacity and manage the allocation of referrals to advocates on a weekly basis.
4. Ensure, through regular monitoring and feedback, the quality and accuracy of case notes, reports and record keeping from advocates in your team.
5. Respond to relevant queries from referrers, service users and members of the public.
6. Maintain a focus on the delivery of a high-quality advocacy service. Monitor key statistical and qualitative data to ensure the service is reaching agreed targets.
7. Carry a case load of advocacy referrals (within roughly 50% of your full-time role) in accordance with statutory service criteria (IMHA, IMCA, CAA, RPR), Your Voice Counts engagement protocols and quality standards.
8. Promote and publicise the advocacy service in creative ways to ensure it reaches people who may require the service. Promote the service to other stakeholders such as partner organisations and professionals.
9. Keep abreast of developments in relevant legislation and good practice guidance.
10. Assist the Advocacy Managers and Senior Management Team to determine any future development of the service and take lead responsibility for specific areas of work as required.

Person specification:

Just as our values are key to our ways of working, attitude is key to our staff team.  We work in challenging, changing circumstances with a very vulnerable client group. We are looking for someone with excellent interpersonal skills, an ability to develop team working, and who is empathetic and supportive but not afraid to challenge when challenge is needed.  We are looking for someone who has good attention to detail and understands the importance of effective systems and processes.  We’re looking for someone who has a demonstrable belief in the rights of people who use our services.

The person we’re looking for will:

• Have strong interpersonal skills, with an ability to develop team working and be able to motivate, support and drive high performance in your team.

• Have a strong focus on collaborative working within a dynamic team and a commitment to helping everyone improve.
• Be well-organised with an ability to handle a busy workload and prioritise effectively.
• Have excellent IT skills, including use of databases and data collection, and be able to build and run effective systems and processes.
• Be an excellent communicator, with an ability to adapt your approach in order to engage with a wide range of stakeholders including people who use our services and professionals.
• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and be able to communicate effectively with vulnerable people who often have significant communication barriers.
• Have a commitment to equal opportunities and confidentiality.
• Approach issues objectively and diplomatically.
• Hold an Independent Advocacy Qualification, including the IMHA, IMCA and/or Care Act modules (desirable – we will consider applications from people willing to undertake this qualification as a condition of employment).

Use of your own vehicle will greatly assist you in this role, but it is not essential.