About the Role
A new opportunity has arisen for a Housing Caseworker to join our team. The post-holder will provide specialist advice and casework services on a range of housing and related welfare benefits issues, in order to prevent and alleviate homelessness and address housing problems. You will manage your own caseload and, where appropriate, you will carry out preliminary work prior to cases being referred to a legal aid solicitor. You will work closely with the Policy and Campaigns team, identifying and highlighting social policy issues to inform our policy influencing and campaigning.

Initially a 12 month fixed term contract (with possibility of extension) 

About You
We are looking for an experienced and proactive individual with in-depth knowledge and experience of providing housing advice and casework that meets quality standards and achieves performance targets. You will have gained a minimum of 2 years’ experience of housing advice and casework through paid or other voluntary experience.  You will demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, have a commitment to working with communities who are highly disadvantaged and a passion for helping people to overcome homelessness and poverty. 

About Z2K

Z2K is an anti-poverty charity which combines direct casework and representation for Londoners experiencing, or at risk of, poverty with national campaigning for social security and housing systems that work for all.

We have a track record of delivering high-quality advice and casework services from our offices in Victoria and outreach locations across London. We take a holistic approach to casework, helping clients to address multiple complications relating to their income, debts and other challenges such as access to wider support services. In 2019, our casework team recovered £3m in entitled benefits and support for our clients. We specialise in social security, housing and homelessness and seek to bring about positive change by amplifying the experience of our clients through policy influencing and campaigning.

“It would have been a struggle if it wasn’t for Z2K’s support…. If I am ever in a similar situation I will be able to deal with it now that Z2K has helped me” (client feedback).

What We Offer
We offer a range of employee benefits, including generous annual leave, a matched pension contribution up to 5% of salary, a free employee assistance programme providing a range of services and support, and training and development opportunities to continue your professional development.

Z2K is committed to equality of opportunity and diversity. We encourage and welcome applications from all parts of the community regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. We particularly welcome applicants who are significantly underrepresented in our sector, such as members of the LGBTQI community, those with disabilities, and individuals from Black and minority ethnic communities.

The full job description can be found below. 

For further information and to apply please visit our website.

Closing Date: 12 noon 4th November 2020

Interview & Assessment Date: w/c 16th November 2020

This post will require a DBS check to be processed for the successful applicant. 

If after submitting your application you have not heard from us by the stated interview date, please assume you have not been successful on this occasion.

Contract - Associate

Location - London

Salary - £17.65 per hour professional time - £8.83 per hour travel time

About Coram Voice

Coram Voice is the leading specialist provider of advocacy and children's rights services for children and young people in and on the edge of care. We support some of the most vulnerable children and young people in society, giving voice to the voiceless and reaching out to those who have missed out on the support they need. Join us as we work to transform the lives of children and young people by supporting them to uphold their rights of to actively participate in shaping their lives.

Our Advocacy services work directly with children and young people in care, in need, in leaving care, child involved in protection processes, and children and young people with severe and complex mental health problems. Advocates around the country support children and young people to get their voice heard in decisions about their lives. This may be through an advocate working directly with a child, for instance, to support them at a review meeting, or providing outreach advocacy and advice in a homeless centre.

Who we are looking for

You will work directly with children and young people providing advocacy and other children's rights support which will empower and support them to navigate the care system. This direct work will include issues based advocacy support for children in need, looked after children and care leavers, as well as children subject to the Child Protection process.

You will be a capable ambassador for Coram Voice with the ability to engage effectively with professionals, foster carers, commissioners, other stakeholders and most importantly children and young people.

The role is self-employed, so people who are successful in the recruitment process make their own decisions on how much work they can take. Some associate advocates are employed with other organisations part time and then take case work from Coram Voice, others are solely self-employed. So the role in terms of hours and capacity is flexible, although as a baseline we would expect you to be able to work with a minimum of 5 children.

The rates of pay are for professional time and travel time based on children and young people we provide advocacy for under London and SE contracts. Travel costs, e.g. tube, train (or mileage if you use your car) are also paid with receipts. Associate advocates are required to submit claims monthly which are invoices for work completed.

Coram Voice particularly welcomes applications from care leavers or individuals with experience of being 'looked after' by the state. We are also actively encouraging applicants from Asian, African, Caribbean and other minority ethnic backgrounds to join our teams. Whilst we have a diverse team we recognise we are a predominantly white workforce and are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from diverse communities in order to improve the services to the children and young people we help.

We are particularly seeking candidates who have experience, skills and interest in providing advocacy for children and young people who are homeless. We would also welcome candidates who could advocate with and for children with disabilities, including young people with additional communication needs, or those who lack capacity to instruct.

To apply, please go to the apply now link. For further information, please visit out website for an email address to contact

Closing date: 10am, Monday 16th November  2020

Interview date: W/C 23rd and 30th November - TBC

All posts are subjected to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and successful candidates will not be able to work unsupervised with children or young people until the completion of this process.

Coram Voice - working towards quality through equality and the development of a diverse workforce.

We ask that recruitment agencies do not contact us in relation to this position.

We have chosen to recruit directly as this helps us to minimise our recruitment costs, ensuring that valuable funds aren't diverted from the children and young people we help

Coram is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to the safeguarding of children and will require the successful applicant to undertake an enhanced DBS disclosure.

Registered Charity No. 312278.

Would you like be part of a skilled advocacy team, providing specialist advice and advocacy support to Gypsies, Roma and Travellers from across the UK? 

We are currently recruiting for a caseworker to join our friendly Brighton based team. We are looking for: 

• An experienced advice worker with an understanding of/experience in supporting members of marginalised communities with good telephone skills 

• An individual with significant experience of advice work within the voluntary sector and a good knowledge of mainstream agencies 

• An individual with experience of successful advocacy on behalf of clients who is comfortable challenging the decisions, proposals and views of statutory agencies and other service providers in a non-confrontational yet effective manner, both verbally and in writing 

• An individual with good IT skills including the ability to undertake fast and accurate recording of case notes 

In return we can offer you a friendly environment and generous benefits which include: 

• Flexible working 

• The opportunity to progress your career 

• 25 days paid leave per year plus public holidays 

• Discretionary Christmas/New Year closure period 

• Annual leave allowance increase by 1 day for each full year of employment up to 5 additional days 

• Childcare Voucher Scheme 

• Travel and subsistence allowance 

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• 5% contributory pension 

• Flexible working 

• Job share 

• Induction programme and annual appraisal

• A variety of in-house and external training courses

• A commitment to Continuous Personal Development 

This role will be based at our office in Brighton with some working from home during Covid-19. 

For full details on how to apply, please follow the link to our website. 

We encourage applications from all parts of the travelling communities and will offer an interview to Gypsy, Roma and Traveller applicants who meet the essential criteria for a role as outlined in the Job Description and Person Specification. 

. 

Victim Support is looking for Complex Case Independent Victim Advocates, currently home working, to be office based in various locations in 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 purpose of this role is to provide high quality holistic support to all victims and witnesses of crime referred to Victim Support whether by the Police another agency or self-referred.

As a Complex IVA, you will lead on support for your allocated caseload of clients coordinating with others internally and externally as required. There will be a particular focus on those that are the most vulnerable, including repeat victims and victims of high harm crime.

You will be expected to provide practical and emotional support in a way that is approachable, flexible and caring, showing empathy at all times. As well as being tenacious in support of your clients and being able to solve problems and surmount the challenges posed by the criminal justice system. In all, you will be able to demonstrate resilience and flexibility in your approach to work, which will be assessed throughout.

VS 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 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 is committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment for our staff. 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 welcome applicants from all communities and as part of our commitment to the 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.

Victim Support is looking for Triage Independent Victim Advocates, currently home working, to be office based in various locations in 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 purpose of this role is to provide high quality holistic support to all victims and witnesses of crime referred to Victim Support whether by the Police another agency or self-referred.

As a Triage IVA you will lead on contacting clients immediately after a crime has occurred, completing initial needs and risk assessments that are comprehensive and holistic. You will provide information of support services, and tools. You will provide immediate and short term intervention to clients. Where longer term support is required or facilitation through attending appointments with clients you will make an initial appointment with a caseworker internally or refer externally as appropriate.

There will be a particular focus on those that are the most vulnerable, including repeat victims and victims of high harm crime. You will be expected to provide practical and emotional support in a way that is approachable, flexible and caring, showing empathy at all times. As well as being tenacious in support of your clients and being able to solve problems and surmount the challenges posed by the criminal justice system. In all, you will be able to demonstrate resilience and flexibility in your approach to work, which will be assessed throughout.

VS 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 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 is committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment for our staff. 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 welcome applicants from all communities and as part of our commitment to the 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.

VoiceAbility are recruiting a full-time advocate to join our London (Wandsworth Area) 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 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 Wandsworth area.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: £23,000 - £28,500 Per Annum depending on qualifications. Future scope to earn up to £30,000 subject to qualifications and performance.

All applications by: 11th November 2020

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; Cycle to Work; 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

• 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.

• 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).
 

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, 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: Wednesday 11th November 2020

Assessment/ test: Online 18th November 2020

Interviews: To be held online via Teams week commencing 23rd November 2020

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.

About the Role

You will work directly with children and young people providing advocacy and other children’s rights support which will empower and support them to navigate the care system. This direct work will include issues based advocacy support for children in need, looked after children and care leavers, as well as children subject to the Child Protection process.

You will be a capable ambassador for Coram Voice with the ability to engage effectively with professionals, foster carers, commissioners, other stakeholders and most importantly children and young people.

Coram Voice particularly welcomes applications from care leavers or individuals with experience of being ‘looked after’ by the state. We are also actively encouraging applicants from Asian, African, Caribbean and other minority ethnic backgrounds to join our teams. Whilst we have a diverse team we recognise we are a predominantly white workforce and are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from diverse communities in order to improve the services to the children and young people we help.

If you have the necessary experience and skills and a commitment to promoting the rights of young people, we would like to hear from you.

To apply, please click on the 'apply now' button to be redirected to our website.

For more information about the main duties and responsibilities of this role please refer to the job description and person specification.

Closing Date: 9am, 30th October 2020

Interview Date: 10th November 2020

All posts are subjected to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and successful candidates will not be able to work unsupervised with children or young people until the completion of this process. Coram Voice - working towards quality through equality and the development of a diverse workforce.

We ask that recruitment agencies do not contact us in relation to this position. We have chosen to recruit directly as this helps us to minimise our recruitment costs, ensuring that valuable funds aren't diverted from the children and young people we help.

Registered Charity Number 1046207

Victim Support is looking for an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate co-located in Kings College 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.

VS is looking for a skilled experienced IDVA for our Kings College Hospital colocation. 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. Working as a member of the London Domestic Abuse team you will be supporting domestic abuse clients through the colocation at Kings College hospital liaising directly with hospital departments such as ED/ Safe Guarding/ Maternity as well as through the criminal justice system, heightening awareness of the processes and outcomes, whilst having the ability to work in partnership with other agencies aiming to increase the level of domestic abuse prosecutions.

Candidates will have the skills to provide effective crisis intervention, carry out risk assessments, safety planning, assessment of needs and individual support planning. 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.

You should have demonstrable experience of working in an IDVA or similar position with this or a similar client group, or an outstanding knowledge of supporting those experiencing domestic abuse, including the MARAC process. Candidates will need to have proven knowledge of the criminal justice system and social care and understand how they relate to survivors of domestic abuse. You will possess excellent communication, written and IT skills, the ability to engage with clients and liaise and deliver training and presentations to external agencies and stakeholders effectively

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.

VS 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 providing an inclusive and supportive environment for our staff. 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 welcome applicants from all communities and as part of our commitment to the 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.

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

We’re searching for an exceptional Independent Mental Health Advocate (Forensic) to work in the medium and low secure forensic units at St Bernard’s Hospital in Ealing.

The role will have a strong appeal to advocates wishing to specialise in forensic contexts.

This role will provide independent advocacy for adults detained under forensic sections. You’ll also raise awareness of independent advocacy, including for people from minority ethnic communities. You’ll work as part of a team of independent advocates, reporting to the manager for the service.

Key responsibilities

• Provide a one-to-one advocacy service and undertake case work, writing accurate case notes and recording data on our system.

• Provide instructed and non-instructed advocacy where appropriate.

• Give information, support and signposting to inform and empower people on any issues about their treatment under the relevant legislation.

• Meet case-working standards, monitoring system requirements and the goals for our service, making sure everyone needing advocacy is referred into the service in the right way.

• Work within the location-specific engagement protocols, security, confidentiality and safeguarding policies (in addition to the Advocacy Best Practice Handbook).

• Actively promote self-advocacy throughout all work with patients where practical.

• Raise awareness of independent advocacy amongst patients.

• Keep your knowledge of legislation and policy up-to-date, including the mental health act, mental capacity act, care act, and local / national policy.

• Keep up to date with developments and good practice in independent advocacy (including different advocacy models).

• Develop good working relationships with key staff within health and social care services.

• Be an active member of the mental health service, contributing to service planning and providing cover for other colleagues when needed.

  General responsibilities

• Participate in team meetings and training.

• Participate in personal, team and organisational development.

• Contribute to monitoring reports.

• 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.

Person specification

Essential:

• At least two years experience of providing advocacy or supporting people with mental health conditions.

• Understanding of the issues faced by forensic service users with mental health conditions and issues relating to mental capacity.

• Sound knowledge of forensic mental health sections and services, including current issues in policy and practice; knowledge of health and social care practice and legislation.

• Experience of the principles and practice of advocacy and an understanding of different forms of advocacy.

• Ability to listen and build trust, to encourage people to express their own views and to represent clients’ self-defined interests.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal). Good at working with a wide variety of people including commissioners, service users and colleagues.

• Commitment to working within The Advocacy Project code of conduct, equality 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 its services in line with our mission, vision and values.

• Commitment to ongoing professional development.

  Desirable:

• Knowledge and experience of advocacy under the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act (IMCA) and DOLS.

• IMHA qualification (or be studying for an IMHA qualification and committed to completing this within 6 months).

• Understanding of the Accessible Information Standard.

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.

How to apply

Send your CV and a supporting statement explaining why you think you’re the person we’re looking for and how your experience meets the person specification.

Upload your application via our website.

VoiceAbility are recruiting 2 full-time advocates to join our Hampshire 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 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 across the Hampshire & Southampton area at multiple sites.

Hours: 2 x 37.5 hours per week

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: £21,000 - £26,500 Per Annum depending on qualifications. Future scope to earn up to £28,000 subject to qualifications and performance.

All applications by: 9am Monday 2nd November 2020

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; Cycle to Work; 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. 

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).
 

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, 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: 9am Monday 2nd November 2020

Assessment/ test: Online Wednesday 4th November 2020

Interviews: To be held online via Teams. Successful candidates at assessment/test stage will be interviewed week commencing 9th November 2020

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.

Children's Independent Advocate

Permanent contract with end 31/3/2023 due to funding.

Flexible, based on service need and demand.

£23,338 per annum / pro rata (plus allowances)

Home based contract

Sandwell, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Dudley

The Children's Society has been helping children and young people in this country for over 130 years. We run local services that support children when they are at their most vulnerable and in desperate need of help. We're there for children, every step of the way.

This role sits within our children and families directorate, which works to provide immediate one-to-one and group support for children who urgently need support. Your role will be to act as an independent advocate for children and young people on a single issue basis, ensuring that each child and young person has their rights and entitlements upheld, has their feelings and wishes heard and is part of the decision making process for their lives.

[TYPE OF PERSON YOU'RE LOOKING FOR/ WHAT'S EXPECTED OF THEM]

We are currently looking for a empathic and experienced advocate to join our dynamic, ambitious team.

To deliver issue based and residential visiting advocacy to children and young people that are Children in Need, subject to Child Protection, Looked After or Care Leavers from Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, and Wolverhampton.

To ensure the service speaks up for children and young people by providing independent and confidential advice, advocacy, information, representation and support.

[KEY SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES]

In order to be successful in this role, you must have:

-Effective methods of working and communicating with children and young people.

-Knowledge and understanding of Advocacy Standards and Children's Rights.

-Knowledge of childcare legislation including the Children's Act 1989, Children Act 2004 and Children Leaving Care Act 2000 and other relevant legislation relevant to children and young people with disabilities.

-Understanding of the powers and duties of Local Authorities in relation to looked after children and young people leaving care.

[INFO ABOUT THE CHILDREN'S SOCIETY]

The Children's Society runs over 100 local services that help thousands of young people who desperately need our support, and we campaign to get laws and policies changed to make children's lives happier and safer.

Every day we're changing the lives of children in this country for the better - and with your help, tomorrow we can be there for even more.

The Children's Society is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across our services.

Therefore, candidates applying for work in our CYP Directorate will be required to complete an “Employment history_template” document prior to interview. The fully completed document should be loaded by the candidate at the point of uploading your CV.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 1st of November 2020.

Interviews will be held on the week commencing TBC.

Background: Suzy Lamplugh Trust is the UK’s pioneering personal safety charity and leading stalking authority, established in 1986 following the disappearance of 25-year-old Suzy Lamplugh whilst at work. We work towards creating a society in which people are safer - and feel safer - from the prevalence of stalking, harassment, aggression and violence, achieved through Supporting people; Education; and Campaigning. Our stalking helpline advice and advocacy service offers support and advice to thousands of victims of stalking every year. Caseworkers advocate on victims’ behalf with police, social services and other statutory or victim support agencies.

Overall purpose of role:

The overall purpose of the role is to provide expert advice and advocacy to victims of stalking.

• To give guidance and information by telephone, email and face to face to those affected by stalking.
• To provide casework support and advocacy to victims of stalking, liaising with both voluntary and statutory services to ensure positive outcomes for victims. 
• To provide support and guidance to volunteers where necessary.
• To support the Stalking Support Team Leader and Helpline Manager where required.

Fixed Term Contract until March 2022.

Closing Date:  We will be reviewing applications as they come in. We will close the vacancy once a suitable candidate is identified. 

Please refer to attached Job Description and Person Specification. To apply, submit your CV and a covering letter, addressing the shortlisting criteria.Applications without a covering letter will not be considered. 

Background: Suzy Lamplugh Trust is the UK’s pioneering personal safety charity and leading stalking authority, established in 1986 following the disappearance of 25-year-old Suzy Lamplugh whilst at work. We work towards creating a society in which people are safer - and feel safer - from the prevalence of stalking, harassment, aggression and violence, achieved through Supporting people; Education; and Campaigning. Our stalking helpline advice and advocacy service offers support and advice to thousands of victims of stalking every year. Caseworkers advocate on victims’ behalf with police, social services and other statutory or victim support agencies.

Overall purpose of role:

The overall purpose of the role is to provide expert advice and advocacy to victims of stalking.

• To give guidance and information by telephone, email and face to face to those affected by stalking.
• To provide casework support and advocacy to victims of stalking, liaising with both voluntary and statutory services to ensure positive outcomes for victims.
• To provide line management to helpline sessional staff
• To provide support and guidance to stalking advocates and volunteers where necessary.
• To support the Stalking Support Team Leader and Helpline Manager where required.

Fixed Term Contract for 6 months

Closing Date:  We will be reviewing applications as they come in. We will close the vacancy once a suitable candidate is identified.

Please refer to attached Job Description and Person Specification. To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter addressing the shortlisting criteria.   Applications without a covering letter will not be considered.

About the role: 

VoiceAbility are recruiting for a full time (37.5 hour) Helpline Referral and Information Advocate to work as part of our Helpline team. You will be the first point of contact for all enquiries and referrals across various advocacy services.

The Helpline Referral and Information Advocate will answer inbound calls, respond to emails and texts and process post in a fast-paced environment. You will be responsible for meeting key performance indicators and delivering excellent customer service.

Our Helpline Referral and Information Advocate have regular contact with the people we support, their family or friends and various professionals. The Helpline Referral and Information Advocate will take referrals and give initial information to people who may be marginalised or vulnerable, enabling them to access our Advocacy Services.

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. In your role as Helpline Referral and Information Advocate you will empower people to advocate for themselves where possible. Your work will also enable our advocates to offer people face-to-face advocacy that strengthen voices, supports human rights and changes lives.

Position: Helpline Referral and Information Advocate

Location: Home based 

Hours: 1 x 37.5

Starting Salary: £21,000 with future scope to earn up to £28,000 subject to annual performance appraisals

Benefits: 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata); 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; Cycle to Work; Employee Assistance programme; Supportive working environment fostering a good work/life balance; Support with professional development.

Closing date for applications:  By midnight on Sunday 8th November

Interviews: Monday 16th November to held via Teams

To be successful, you must show that you would be able to:

• Provide low-level advocacy support and signposting to those who contact the service.
• Undertake a range of administrative activities, including monitoring activity and collating of statistics.
• Use a range of systems to support efficient, high quality processes and practices across the service.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills with brilliant listening skills.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with a variety of internal and external contacts, including people with communication issues.
• Identify and act appropriately where issues of safeguarding individuals arise.
• Use strong IT skills to accurately record information in line with policy and current data standards.
• Manage calls and emails to the service; obtaining and utilising relevant information from callers to handle calls effectively and ensure appropriate signposting or outcomes for the caller.

Desirable skills or experience:

• Previous experience of call handling or frontline reception work in Health, Social Care or Education or Third Sector organisations.
• Awareness of the Mental Health Act (1983, revised 2007), Care Act (2014) and Mental Capacity Act (2007) and The Principles of Human Rights and Advocacy.
• Experience of delivering excellent customer service in fast-paced and challenging environments

You may have experience of the following: Advocacy, Vulnerable Adults, 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 person specification to give examples of how you meet the criteria for the role, outline your full employment history, and upload your CV. (NB your CV will not be used for shortlisting)

Interviews will be held using online video calling.