12 months fixed term contract
Closing date: Monday 3rd May 2021 at 11.30 pm
 
Come and join us
We’re looking for passionate individuals with personal experience of substance misuse and homelessness to come and join us and make a difference to the way we do things. If you believe that people should have a say in their own support and that they should be at the front of making meaningful change then this could be the traineeship for you.
 
About Shelter
A home is a fundamental human need, as essential as education or healthcare. Yet millions of people across Britain struggle on a daily basis with homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination and the threat of eviction. So, we are striving for change, with individuals, in communities, across society, and leading the way to a safe home. We need ambitious, best-in-class individuals who are passionate about our cause to join us at this exciting time. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
 
At Shelter we are united by our purpose to defend the right to a safe home. Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. We believe that to win that fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement for change. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, fair, equitable and transparent.
 
We have committed to combat racism both within and outside Shelter and welcome you on our journey to becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.
 
About the role
This is a great opportunity to work with a lead provider of homelessness and housing advice and support and gain invaluable experience while being part of an exciting new programme. The traineeship lasts 12 months and you will receive personalised training and support to help remove some of the barriers that may have prevented you from getting meaningful employment. You’ll be based in our specialist Drug and Alcohol Prevention and Recovery Service which supports people with current or previous substance misuse to maintain their home and live independently. During the traineeship you will develop skills in delivering housing advice and support, assisting service users to achieve their goals, and have the opportunity to shape services using your experiences to bring about change. Once your traineeship is complete, we will evaluate your placement, with the aim of securing you employment in the future.
 
About you 
We are looking for people who are passionate about the opportunity to use their own life experiences to help make positive change for others. You’ll also need a commitment to equality and a zero tolerance approach to discrimination and exclusion. Good communication skills and the ability to make people feel heard will also be essential. Basic computer skills, e.g. word processing, the internet and email would be useful, but support can be provided. Above all, we need people with a real desire to develop personally and learn new skills.

How to apply:

To apply you need to submit a copy of your CV and a supporting statement, this can be submitted either using our online application form, or you can submit a paper copy. When completing your supporting statement please make sure you give an example for each of the criteria listed in the knowledge and skills section below. 

If you don’t have a CV or you need some help with this, please join us for a Zoom application support session or contact us using the details below.

 
We will be holding support sessions on Zoom to give people practical support and advice on how to complete an application. These sessions will also give you the chance to find out more about the role as well as other opportunities for involvement at Shelter.
 
These will take place on the following dates: We encourage all applicants to attend a session before applying. You can drop in for part of the session or all of it, the links are below.
 
If you have any questions, please get in touch with Darren de Vally, National GROW Programme Co-ordinator.

Thursday 22nd April 3.00pm - 4.30pm - National support session 1 -  https://zoom.us/j/92110856936?pwd=VEt1Vkp3QlJ0NFh2azA0STRaTGJyUT09

Monday 26th April 10.00am - 11.30 am - National support session 2 -  https://zoom.us/j/92661558386?pwd=a0tNQm94a1dVenM0NWRJMCs1K1hpQT09

 
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme. Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.
 
When applying, we appreciate it may feel unusual to be talking about your lived experience to a prospective employer. Please be assured that we ask for this only to assess your suitability for a role that’s designed to help people to use their experiences to develop a career. If you feel you have the necessary lived experience, please apply and draw this out as much as you can in the application to increase your chances of being invited to interview.
 
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies. 
 
Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

Islington Mind are looking for a highly skilled, enthusiastic, and resilient Team Leader to join our specialist Mental Health Recovery Pathway Service. 

Are you passionate about mentla health, an excellent communicator who is enthusiastic and committed to providing the best service for our service users. 

The Recovery Team Leader is responsible for coordinating  and overseeing  the administration of the Mental Health Recovery Pathway counselling / psychotherapy service. You will develop mental health awareness and recovery workshops and deliver them to service users and to offer support and development programmes for Lead Mentors.

Other responsibilities include managing mental health drop-in provisions, including risk and safeguarding management.

One of the UK’s most inspiring and best known faith-based organisations, is looking for a passionate and meticulous Project Worker to be part of the team at Hadleigh Training Centre Essex.

Hadleigh Training Centre has been providing training opportunities since 1990 for adults with additional support needs. There are currently approximately 160 trainees who attend the training centre, following personalised pathways to meet a range of outcomes. All training is designed to maximise progression opportunities, whether this be in particular vocational skills, or transferable life skills such as motivation, self-esteem and confidence.

As Project Worker you will be responsible for identifying, delivering and enhancing training opportunities that maximise progression outcomes and develop life skills who attend Hadleigh Training Centre through a personalised approach.

Training activities can include (but not limited to) preparing, cooking and serving food and drink, planting and growing flowers and vegetables, general garden maintenance and other life skills. 

To succeed in this role you will be able to demonstrate:

• Experience of working within a training environment
• Experience of developing learning support plans and/or training programmes
• Proven experience of working with people with additional support needs
• Strong communications skills

For more information and to apply please visit our website.

Closing date: 25th April 2021

Title: Peer Support Worker

Responsible to: Project Worker

Accountable to: Chief Executive,
with final accountability to the Viewpoint Trustee Board

Location: hours/salary: 35hrs £19110 12 Month Contract

Pension: Following a three-month period of employment, Viewpoint will
contribute a sum equal to 5% of your annual salary to a pension provided that you contribute at least 3% of your annual salary to the pension scheme.

Annual leave: Annual leave will commence following six months probationary
period and will rise to 25 days plus 8 Bank holidays.

Other benefits: Training, Development and Supervision

Length of contract:                       12 months fixed term contract

Overview of the role

Viewpoint is supporting Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) to deliver the Peer Support component of the Enhanced Primary Mental Health Service.

The Enhanced Primary Mental Health Service will form part of the full pathway of care, enabling the redesign of core community mental health services and ensuring that the needs of people with moderate and serious mental health challenges will be more effectively met at the right time and place, to support their recovery.

Peer Support Workers will be part of the Enhanced Primary Mental Health Service and support people accessing the right intervention/support as part of their recovery journey, based on the person’s individualised care and support plan.

As an integral and highly valued member of the Enhanced Primary Mental Health team, the Peer Support Worker will provide peer support and practical assistance to service users to support them to regain control over their lives and their own unique recovery journey.

Through sharing the wisdom of their own lived experience of recovery, the Peer Support Worker will inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others. Within a relationship of mutuality, they facilitate and support information sharing to promote choice, self-determination and opportunities for the fulfilment of socially valued roles and connection to local communities.

Deadline: 30th April 2021

Interviews Week Commencing: 10th May 2021

Our client works in partnership with a range of other organisations to deliver collaborative outreach support to those facing multiple disadvantage across Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham. They are currently looking to recruit a passionate, proactive Link Worker, providing tailored support to a small caseload of clients with multiple and complex needs. This position is initially offered on a full-time, fixed term contract for 9 months.

As a Link Worker, you will manage a small caseload of clients, responding and working flexibly within a person-centered, outreach model. Your role will involve working closely with other agencies, including other charities, statutory bodies and local authorities, to ensure that your clients are well connected with the right support services. You will contribute to the continual improvement of the service, ensuring that all clients receive high quality, outcome-focussed support, and will support your team, including leading on any crisis intervention work, case recording, advice giving and advocacy.

To be considered for this post, you must have significant experience of supporting a range of people facing multiple and complex disadvantage. You will have a strong understanding of a range of approaches to key working and case working with service users, and the implementation of different agendas (such as personalisation). You will have experience of supervising casework practice of support workers, trainees, students or volunteers, and will be confident working with a range of different partners in order to achieve the best outcomes for vulnerable people.

To be considered for this role, please initially apply with a word formatted version of your CV - suitable candidates will then be contacted. Please note, the client are looking to recruit as soon as possible, so please only apply if you are available immediately or have no more than a 2 week notice period.

Please note this role will involve a blend of office-based, home-based and coordinated outreach working (no long working).

Spitalfields Crypt Trust (SCT) is an east London charity providing practical help, support and training to people who have been homeless and suffering from addiction. It runs a homeless drop-in, a Recovery Hub (which includes an abstinence-based residential recovery hostel, counselling and a Training and Development Centre), supported houses, a Housing First project and two social enterprises supporting people in recovery from addictions to put their lives back together. Our integrative approach is based on the ‘Recovery Capital’ methodology and is a whole-person approach, which takes into account physical, cultural, social, human and spiritual factors and assets.

In employment we actively seek to recruit people with a good combination of talent, skills and potential, promoting equality for all, and welcome applications from a wide range of candidates.  We select all candidates for interview based on their skills, qualifications, experience and commitment to the values and purposes of the organisation. (Sources - Equal Opportunities Policy 2.2 (i) and (v)).  SCT is a growing organisation with opportunities for people with compassion and aspiration.

Job Summary

For SCT, progression is about empowering people in recovery to grow in confidence, and to recognise the potential we see in them from the very start. Working collaboratively, we aim to assist and support users of SCT’s Training and Development Centre to explore further, education, training, volunteering and employment opportunities both internal and externally to SCT. Our Progression Worker will manage a caseload of  who want to explore ETE opportunities. The support offered will be individually tailored to help people achieve their potential.

Role and Responsibilities:

1. Identify those who are ready to move on to education, training, volunteering and employment opportunities.

• Liaise with internal tutors, counsellors, key workers and other staff across the organisationto identify those who are ready for progression support.
• Liaise with external services and partners to offer a wide variety of ETE opportunitiesForge strong relationships with SCT’s social enterprises  to establish clear volunteering and trainee pathways .
• Identify individual needs and assets by conducting assessments, setting goals and evaluating progress.
• Ensure individualised progression plans are in place and regularly reviewed. Ensure that participants are supported in moving on from SCT when appropriate. Promote the work of SCT to external partners.

1. Providing information, advice and guidance around ETE opportunities for those accessing services.

• Provide information, initial advice and guidance on opportunities in employment, voluntary work and further education.
• Develop and lead group workshops.
• Refer people to appropriate work placements, volunteering experiences, apprenticeship schemes, colleges and other programmes outside SCT.
• Establish and maintain the above partnerships with all relevant ETE providers to ensure we offer a wide variety of opportunities . Identify external services and referral agencies and pro mote the work of SCT.
• Supportwith referrals and applications to ETE opportunities.
• Maintain excellent records of activities, outcomes and feedback including monitoring outputs.
• Input relevant data onto InForm , to track  progress.
• Identify success stories of tthose who have overcome significant barriers to succeed in learning and work.
• Work with colleagues to celebrate success stories (e.g. via celebration events, publications, etc).
• Participate in quality improvement activities, staff development opportunities, sharing of good practice, and self-evaluation.
• Work alongside our Fundraising Team to prepare funding reports for donors.

1. Providing ongoing support to Progression Alumni

Develop a yearly Progression Alumni event to celebrateachievements

1. General

Ethos

• To ensure compliance with SCT’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
• To ensure compliance with all statutory and legal obligations, such as data protection law.

Environment

• To ensure a safe and secure environment , free, in particular, from alcohol and drugs, and from abusive behaviour and exploitation.
• Finance and Budgeting
• To operate within agreed budgets, and to comply with SCT’s financial control procedures.

Subordinate

• To comply with the Line Manager’s reporting requirements.
• To undertake other tasks as delegated from time to time by your Line Manager in the best interests of the overall work of SCT.

Person Specification

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• A working knowledge of welfare benefits and experience of supporting  users to maximise their income.
• An understanding of addiction and recovery.
• Excellent communications skills and the ability to relate to a wide range of people from the long-term unemployed to corporate volunteers.

Experience

Essential

• Good networking skills and the ability to broker new working relationships with ETE providers.
• An ability to work on your own initiative. 
• Proven organisational skills.
• Experience of database maintenance and monitoring and evaluation.

Desirable

• Experience of using InForm

Cultural Indicators

Delivering Results

• Delivers great outcomes through our vision and strategy, effectively planning and meeting targets.
• Makes effective, data-driven decisions.

Role Model / Leading by Example

• Is an inspiring role model for others, building trust and living our Vision / Mission and principles and delivering our services accordingly.

Continual Improvements

• Consistently seeks to improve how we do things to achieve and Embraces change and innovation.

Effective Communication

• Communicates clearly, effectively and honestly. Listens to others and adapts communication to suit them.

One Team

• Works with others as one team, actively collaborating to achieve a shared vision. Building relationships across SCT, sharing information and expertise.

Peer Support Co-ordinator With Viewpoint (A Charity supporting people with mental health and/or addiction challenges)

22 Hours Per Week
12 Month Fixed Contract
£16016 Annual Salary

Pension: Following a three-month period of employment, Viewpoint will
contribute a sum equal to 5% of your annual salary to a pension provided that you contribute at least 3% of your annual salary to the pension scheme.

Annual leave: Annual leave will commence following six months probationary
period and will rise to 25 days plus 8 Bank holidays – Pro Rota.

Other benefits: Training, Development and Supervision

Overview of the role

Peer Support Coordinator will lead the small team of Peer Support Facilitators and support people with mental health and/or addiction challenges by offering peer led sessions to support their personal recovery, based on the person’s individualised person centre approach.

The Peer Facilitators will provide peer support and practical assistance to individuals to support them to regain control over their lives and their own unique personal recovery journey.

Through sharing the wisdom of their own lived experience of recovery, the Peer co-ordinator and Peer Facilitates will inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others. Within a relationship of mutuality, they will facilitate and support information sharing to promote choice, self-determination and opportunities for the fulfilment of socially valued roles and connection to local communities.

About Viewpoint

Viewpoint develops innovative ways that support people with a lived experience of mental health issues and/or addiction challenges—working with 1000 experts by experience, putting them at the centre of all everything we do. We support people to be independent, have their say and influence change to services. Working across the whole of Hertfordshire.

Our support is flexible and needs-led, delivered by outreach group-based activity, one to one or remotely. Staff or members who have a lived experience facilitate our programmes. We offer educational sessions that enhance wellbeing and equip individuals with the skills and self-belief to aid their recovery personal journey.

Main duties and responsibilities

To support people who are experiencing mental health challenges to:

• Maintain and develop their independence within their local community.
• Build life skills, confidence, resilience and self-esteem.
• Build social networks and reduce isolation.
• Engage in peer support sessions and offer holistic support, advice, information, and if necessary onward referral to other support.
• Opportunities to direct their own recovery process through self-management and choice.

To use personal recovery to

• Model and mentor recovery and demonstrate coping skills.
• Embed a person-centred and recovery-orientated approach in all aspects of the work.
• Inspire hope, share life experiences and lessons learnt.

Deadline: 7th May 2021

Interviews Week Commencing: 17th May 2021

We are Hiring for a Specialist Development Officer - Part time 30 Hours per week - Salary £23400

Title:                                              Specialist Development Officer

Responsible to:Chief Executive

Accountable to: Chief Executive,
with final accountability to the Viewpoint Trustee Board

Location: hours/salary: 30 hours per week – annual Salary £23,400

Pension: Following a three-month period of employment, Viewpoint will contribute a sum equal to 5% of your annual salary to a pension provided that you contribute at least 3% of your annual salary to the pension scheme.

Annual leave: Annual leave will commence following six months probationary period and will rise to 25 days plus 8 Bank holidays – Pro Rota.

Other benefits: Training, Development and Supervision

Length of contract: 12 months fixed term contract

Overview of the role

Specialist Development Officer will lead the small team of Peer Facilitators and support people with mental health and/or addiction challenges by offering peer led sessions to support their personal recovery, based on the person’s individualised person centre approach.

Together the Specialist Development Officer and Peer Facilitators will provide closed peer support groups about specific wellbeing subjects together with practical assistance to individuals to support them to regain control over their lives and their own unique personal recovery journey.

Through sharing the wisdom of their own lived experience of recovery, the Specialist Development Officer will inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others. Within a relationship of mutuality, they will facilitate and promote choice, self-determination and opportunities for the fulfilment of socially valued roles and connection to local communities.

About Viewpoint

Viewpoint develops innovative ways that support people with a lived experience of mental health issues and/or addiction challenges—working with 1000 experts by experience, putting them at the centre of all everything we do. We support people to be independent, have their say and influence change to services. Working across the whole of Hertfordshire.

Our support is flexible and needs-led, delivered by outreach group-based activity, one to one or remotely. Staff or members who have a lived experience facilitate our programmes. We offer educational sessions that enhance wellbeing and equip individuals with the skills and self-belief to aid their recovery personal journey.

Our goals
Improving services: Make sure people are involved in the planning, developing, delivering and evaluation of services to gain equality of support and treatment.
Staying well: Support people to stay well.
Supporting choice: Supporting people to make informed choices about services and their mental wellbeing.
Reducing inequality: People’s involvement from all backgrounds is essential to gain equality of support and treatment.
Organisationally: Use all of our organisational excellence to enhance quality and develop the right resources.

Main duties and responsibilities

To support people who are experiencing mental health challenges to:

• Maintain and develop their independence within their local community.
• Build life skills, confidence, resilience and self-esteem.
• Build social networks and reduce isolation.
• Engage in peer support sessions and offer holistic support, advice, information, and if necessary onward referral to other support.
• Opportunities to direct their own recovery process through self-management and choice.

To use personal recovery to

• Model and mentor recovery and demonstrate coping skills.

• Embed a person-centred and recovery-orientated approach in all aspects of the work.
• Inspire hope, share life experiences and lessons learnt.

Deadline 30th April 

Interviews Week Commencing 10th May 

We are working with a small independent charity based in Merton, who support people with disabilities to live independently and have control over their own lives. They are a user-led organisation promoting the inclusion, choice, and independence of Deaf and Disabled People. They are currently looking to recruit a temporary, part-time (14-21 hours per week) Senior Case Worker; this position is offered on a temporary basis until the end of June 2021, with the possibility of extension.

As their Senior Caseworker, you will provide information, advice and advocacy support to individuals with disabilities, primarily in the areas of Welfare Benefits and Community Care. You will also coach and support others, including Trainee Caseworkers, deputise in place of the Service Manager when required and engage with relevant stakeholders.

To be considered, you will have significant case management experience with the ability to provide quality assured advice to the public on a one to one basis. You will be experienced in effectively managing your workload and dealing with situations which can be of a challenging or distressing nature, as well as possess excellent knowledge and experience of the Care Act 2014. Finally, you will need to have knowledge and experience of quality assurance systems and how to implement them (e.g. Supervisor File Reviews). The ability to demonstrate an empathy for the issues and barriers faced by disabled people and an understanding of the policy issues affecting their lives is essential.

To be considered, you will be in possession of a fully enhanced DBS check, issued within the last year or registered to the online update service and must be available to start immediately

As a specialist Recruitment Practice, we are committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations, and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you in your application.

Applications will be reviewed, and interviews scheduled with the client, on an on-going basis.

Second Step is a leading mental health charity in the South West offering housing, support and hope to thousands of people with mental health and other problems.  We promote mental health and wellbeing by supporting people and communities to build brighter futures.

The Family Safeguarding Team is an innovative partnership model between Somerset County Council and a network of voluntary sector organisations known as Open Mental Health.  This Practitioner Psychologist role is positioned within a new aspect of the Family Safeguarding Service that focuses on the systemic impact to the family of the mental health of parents.  This is a pioneering role with the opportunity to lead on the development of an integrated Psychological, Adversity and Trauma informed approach to supporting parents within the Family Safeguarding Service and the wider system.

At Second Step we value relationships and making sense of what has happened to those coming into contact with our services, rather than thinking about what is wrong with them. We advocate for system change that facilitates working with socially contextualised presentations of distress.

As well as joining the Family Safeguarding Teams in Somerset you will also become part of an existing ‘Psychological, Adversity and Trauma Informed’ Practice Team leading on system change across Second Step and beyond.

Band 7 Practitioner Psychologist

Hours:           37 hours per week

Salary:           £38,890 - £40,894 pro rata per annum

Location:    Countywide role, to be based in Taunton, Somerset

Length :      12 Months Fixed Term (with likelihood of extension)

If you are experienced as a Clinical or Counselling Psychologist who is passionate about improving services for parents who may have multiple and complex needs and are in contact with Family Safeguarding Teams this could be the next exciting opportunity for you. 

Closing Date:  12:00 noon on 25 April 2021

Interview Date: Likely to be w/c 3 May 2021

Second Step is committed to Equal Opportunities and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community and from people who have personal experience of using mental health services.

Community Southwark is the hub for the VCS, social action and volunteering in Southwark. We are a place that anyone can come to for support to improve the community in which they live and/or work.

We believe we should be a leader for the sector. We are coordinating activities and bringing organisations together to tackle issues jointly at a borough-wide level and in local areas.

We are a champion for the sector and look to ensure we have a seat at the right table on its behalf.

Our current HR and Office Manager is on an extended leave until 31st March 2022. We are looking for a self-starter who can hit the ground running and cover for them until their planned return (there is a possibility of the role being extended beyond that date).

You will be an experienced and hands-on HR and Office Manager, ideally with experience of working in small charities. This is a varied role that will enable you to thrive. Ensuring that staff has the IT equipment they need, renegotiating the charity's insurance, helping to set up policies and procedures ensuring that our staff can perform to their full abilities, gathering data and generating reports for the Board of Trustees, dealing with a diverse range of HR issues - no day is the same in this busy role.

For full details, please visit our website or the attached recruitment pack.

We particularly encourage applications from disabled, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates and people from the LGBT community.

Are you passionate about making a lasting difference to the lives of vulnerable adults?

About the role

The Leicester Progression Coach Gardener Trainer will be responsible for supporting and supervising the Putting Down Roots trainees; providing a range of therapeutic and vocational horticultural activities to support the recovery of people experiencing homelessness. The trainer will deliver accredited vocational horticultural training, with both tutor and assessment responsibilities. They will also be responsible for maintaining the site, liaising with delivery partners and promoting the service to potential clients.

What we’re looking for

The successful candidate will have a minimum of three years’ experience of gardening in a professional capacity, as well as experience of delivering structured programmes of accredited teaching or training. They will have a strong practical understanding of health and safety. They will be positive and engaging, and able to work independently. They will have experience in working with adults from diverse backgrounds, including those with complex needs.

What we offer

• Excellent Development and Growth Opportunities

St Mungo’s employees are encouraged to consider opportunities to develop new skills or progress including; secondments, internal transfers, application to new roles in the organisation or just to get involved in various projects happening within the organisation.

As a result last year 35% of our vacancies were filled by promotions. In 2019 we achieved We Invest in People Gold level accreditation and are one of just 3% of housing associations to achieve this standard; 82% of staff who took part in the IIP survey say St Mungo’s is a great place to work.

• A Diverse and Inclusive Work Place

At St Mungo’s, equality, diversity and inclusion are central to the organisation's values and how we work. We are proud of our commitment to diversity and inclusion and have 8 great Diversity Networks to support clients and staff from different backgrounds so they are able to be their best selves. Our Networks include: BAME, Carers and Parents, Lived Experience, LGBTQIA+, Disability Awareness, South West, Irish and Women’s Action.

• Pay and Other Benefits

St Mungo’s is proud to pay client facing staff above average for the sector. We run a cycle to work scheme and also offer season tickets loans to all staff.

St Mungo’s contribute 4% of your gross annual salary, and you are able to enrol in the Defined Contribution scheme following a successful probationary period in which the employer contribution is 6%.

What we do

At St Mungo’s our vision is that everyone has a place to call home and can fulfil their hopes and ambitions. As a homelessness charity and housing association, our clients are at the heart of what we do, and in 2019 we supported nearly 30,000 people who were either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Our staff are crucial to making this happen.

How to apply

To find out more and apply please go to the St Mungo’s careers page on our website. 

To view the job description and guidance on completing your application form, please click on the ‘document available’ tab at the top of the advert page on our website.

Closing date: 10am on Monday 10 May 2021
 

Interview and assessments on: Thursday 20 and Friday 21 May 2021

It is a requirement for this post that an enhanced DBS disclosure check will be undertaken for the successful candidate.

Please be advised that all appointments will be made on St Mungo’s current standard Terms and Conditions (T&Cs); this also applies to any internal candidates.

This role

This is an existing role at Your Voice Counts that sits in the advocacy team.  We are seeking both permanent, full-time and sessional, part-time team members.

As an Independent Advocate, you will provide statutory advocacy services to clients across the North East under the Mental Health Act (IMHA), the Mental Capacity Act (IMCA) the Care Act and will act as Relevant Persons Representative (RPR) under Depravation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS).  YVC also provide a case advocacy service for those with a Learning Disability living in South Tyneside, and you may receive referrals to provide specific non statutory advocacy within this area.  You will pick up referrals, arrange and attend client meetings and meetings with other professionals, ascertain and represent the client’s wishes.  You will also work closely with other members of the advocacy team to ensure a high-quality advocacy service.

Main responsibilities:

1. Act on referrals received in accordance with statutory timescales, YVC engagement protocols and quality standards.
2. Complete and submit reports that will be of a professional standard, in line with internal and external best practice guidelines.
3. Maintain accurate records, including client management system data input, timesheet information and other key information types.
4. Promote and raise awareness of Your Voice Counts advocacy services to professionals, potential clients and the general public.
5. Work with the wider advocacy team to effectively coordinate all advocacy services, including allocating referrals, managing caseloads, providing peer and group supervision, and other activities.
6. Respond to relevant queries from referrers, service users and members of the public.
7. Develop and maintain contacts with advocacy networks at a local, regional, and national level, and represent the service at relevant meetings, conferences and working groups.
8. Keep abreast of developments in relevant legislation and good practice guidance.
9. Work in accordance with Your Voice Counts’ models of non-instructed and instructed advocacy and with commitment to the ethos and principles of independent advocacy.
10. Be an active participant in the wider YVC team and seek to work with all YVC colleagues to deliver our strategy, maintain quality and embed the values of the organisation.

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 who is both empathetic but not afraid to challenge on behalf of their client.  We are looking for someone who is non-judgemental and able to work collaboratively within the team and with external partners.  We’re looking for someone who has a demonstrable belief in the rights of people who use our services.

Whilst an advocacy qualification is not essential, preference will be given to those who hold the Advocacy qualification and IMCA, IMHA and/or Care act specialist units.

The person we’re looking for will:

• Be able to communicate effectively with vulnerable people who often have significant communication barriers;
• Have experience of working with people with a learning disability, dementia, mental health problems, and/or those with acquired brain injury;
• Hold or be working towards or be willing to work towards an Independent Advocacy Qualification, including the IMHA, IMCA and/or Care Act modules;
• Be well-organised with an ability to handle a busy workload and prioritise effectively;
• Be skilled at negotiating, with strong interpersonal skills;
• Be able to write clear and succinct professional reports;
• Have excellent IT skills, including familiarity with using a contact management system;
• Be able to thrive under pressure and bring people together.

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