Independent Mental Health Advocate And Care Act Advocate Jobs
South West Advocacy Network supports and empowers people to have a voice, by ensuring access to quality, independent advocacy. We believe that everyone has the right to be heard & respected, the right to choice in decisions about themselves and the right to be safe.
To help us with our shortlisting, please send a supporting statement/cover letter with your application telling us why you are right for this role. The successful applicant will work from our Poole or Dorchester office
Service Managers are responsible for their services meeting targets and delivering on contract requirements, including providing the data required for contract and organisational monitoring.
The Service Manager role assumes responsibility for all aspects of SWAN’s Dorset statutory advocacy services. This includes a wide range of advocacy including IMCA, Care Act, IMHA, CHC, Carers and Generic advocacy, and advocacy for parents during child protection proceedings. Our Service Manager is also responsible for the mobilisation and delivery of SWAN’s social value projects in Dorset.
The role requires a positive approach and a high degree of personal responsibility. The Service Manager is responsible for the Dorset team’s performance. Service Managers are experienced and inspirational leaders. They have, or are willing to work towards, a level 5 management qualification.
The post is subject to 2 references including previous employer, evidence of right to work in the UK and an enhanced DBS check.
Direct reports:
Team Supervisors & Supervising Advocates
Duties and responsibilities: General
- To work collaboratively with other mangers and assist, when necessary, with providing cover during periods of absence and play an active part in SWAN’s Leadership Team
- Act as the safeguarding lead for the service
- Stay up to date with relevant legislation, changes to practice and wider activities relating to advocacy; to input to policies / procedures (COVID-19, LPS etc).
- Act as a role model for exemplary behaviour, attitude and mindset, embedding a culture of trust and accountability and challenging non-congruency and negativity
- To undertake all training as necessary and stay up to date with Continuing Professional Development
- Support SWAN to ensure that Advocacy Quality Performance Mark practices are business as usual
- Take responsibility for embedding good Health and Safety Practices and adhering to the Health and Safety Policy
Supervision and Development of Direct Reports
- Responsible for the recruitment of their service team
- Responsible for the effective induction of new staff members and support through their induction period
- Undertake regular supervisions and Personal Development Reviews in line with the Company requirements for all direct reports
- Organise and lead regular team meetings, to provide minutes, actions and documentation for each meeting. Team meetings will include professional development and guest speakers
- Deliver training workshops to the team, including lone working, safeguarding refreshers and the Purpose and Principles of Independent Advocacy (Unit 301) in line with Company requirements and maintain records of attendance
- Ensure all team members’ training is up to date and work with the Training Manager to create new opportunities to upskill the workforce
- Undertake all other people management responsibilities for the team in relation to absence and performance management
- Manage disciplinary and grievance issues if and when they arise
Management of Services
- Lead and manage the service in the delivery of outcome focused, issue based, person directed advocacy, in line with the relevant legislation for the advocacy discipline, regulations, codes of practice and internal policy and procedures
- Mobilise and manage local social value projects
- Responsible for the effective triaging of referrals and allocations of casework after considering prioritisation of cases, current caseloads and team members’ skill set
- Provide temporary cover for own team’s case work during periods of absence
- Complete accurate recording and reporting of all service data
- Ensure the timely completion of high quality commissioning report narratives and case studies
- Work proactively with the statutory services to promote the service, problem solve and uphold the agreed engagement protocols
- Communicate and negotiate effectively with a wide range of people, including commissioners, health and social care professionals and voluntary sector staff
- Identify risks in delivering the service and ensure compliance with risk management procedures
- Ensure the effective management of de-escalating client issues and handling of complaints
- Attend stakeholder meetings, forums and networks
- Ensure that good relationships are developed and maintained with other service providers
- Raise the profile of SWAN in the local area by any means identified as necessary
Qualifications Required:
- Diploma in Independent Advocacy Qualification (City & Guilds level 3 or 4) or willing to work towards.
- Level 5 Management qualification, or willing to work towards
Experience and Knowledge Needed
Experience and knowledge crucial for the role:
- A record of delivering advocacy or health and social care services
- Experience of managing people and resources;
- Knowledge of contracted services in the voluntary sector
- Understanding of the principles and role of advocacy
Other:
The post is subject to 2 references including one previous employer, evidence of right to work in the UK and an enhanced DBS check.
If you would like to join us, SWAN will offer you;
- A supportive working environment
- Flexible working to fit around your personal circumstances
- Regular person-centred Supervision
- Training and development opportunities
- Minimum 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- 6% Employer pension and 2% employee contribution
- Employee Assistance Scheme, offering a free and confidential helpline for you
- A Wellbeing Day – a paid day from work to allow you time to focus on your own wellbeing
- A day off on your Birthday
- In-house Mental Health First Aider
- Access to an Employee Reward Scheme offering online and instore discounts at a wide range of high street retailers,
Equality, diversity, and inclusion are core to our values. In the selection of our staff, we are committed to equality with regards to protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex. and sexual orientation. We welcome applications from disabled people. The Employee must ensure a positive commitment towards equality by treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation, or harassment of any description and to promote positive working relations amongst employees, suppliers and customers.
South West Advocacy Network supports and empowers people to have a voice, by ensuring access to quality, independent advocacy.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Location: Hybrid working: a combination of working from home and being based at Rising Sun Offices in Canterbury
Responsible to: Head of Adult Services
Probation Period: 6 months
Benefits: 25 days holiday pro rata, bank holidays, plus 3% matched pension contribution, employee health cash plan and discounts scheme
Please note: This post is restricted to women under schedule 9, Part 1, Equalities Act 2010.
OVERVIEW
Rising Sun Domestic Violence and Abuse Service (the Rising Sun) is an independent charity in Kent working to prevent domestic abuse and improve the lives of survivors and their children suffering from its effects. We have an ambitious vision for a world in which women and children live free from actual or threatened domestic abuse and all forms of violence.
Our team provide a range of services to adults and children who’ve experienced domestic abuse. We understand the impact of domestic abuse on survivors and so we listen to individual needs and respond in a trauma informed way. We provide one-to-one support and also deliver therapeutically informed group programmes to help survivors to recognise healthy/unhealthy behaviours in relationships and to understand the impact of domestic abuse. Bringing survivors together validates experiences and enables them to draw strength from one another.
We are looking for a creative and proactive individual who has experience of supporting survivors of domestic abuse. Working with survivors of domestic abuse as an outreach worker, you will play a crucial role in advocacy, risk assessment, safety planning and empowerment.
As part of our passionate and committed team of approximately 45 staff, our aspiration is that you will thrive and develop in this varied role. You will be contributing to the invaluable work of the Rising Sun and making a lasting difference to the lives of those who are impacted by domestic abuse.
JOB PURPOSE
- To provide practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic abuse, including crisis intervention, risk assessment and safety planning.
- To develop individual support plans, which address the risk of harm and offer information, advocacy, advice and signposting to survivors, underpinned by individual risk and need.
- To empower survivors, thereby increasing self- esteem, reducing isolation and helping survivors to keep safe.
- To provide survivors with information relating to their rights and ensuring survivors are empowered to make decisions based on their options.
- To work in collaboration with the adult team and wider Rising Sun team to support other programmes delivered within the organisation.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Service delivery
- Work as part of a team providing high quality support, advice, advocacy and information to survivors of domestic abuse.
- Manage a caseload in accordance with organisational policies and procedures and adhere to confidentiality.
- Work in a needs led way with a specific focus on a trauma informed approach, which recognises domestic abuse and its impact.
- Work holistically with survivors, recognising individual needs, and help survivors to recognise and build on their strengths and abilities to build self-esteem and resilience.
- Offer support face to face or remotely, via phone or video call, depending on the needs of the survivor and current guidance around social distancing.
- Attend regular supervision and appraisals with line-manager.
- Work effectively in partnership with other agencies and refer on appropriately, dependant on need and risk. This may include referral to specialist agencies, to other specialist DVA services or other external processes (for example MARAC).
- Assess risk to individuals on a regular basis using the DASH risk indicator checklist.
- Work with survivors to develop tailored support plans with a focus on reducing the risk of harm, increasing their personal safety (and that of any children) and responding to their individual needs.
- Support survivors to be able to identify and manage the risks to themselves and their children
- Provide information to survivors in relation to their options, including guidance in relation to their housing, legal and welfare rights and advocate on their behalf as required.
- Encourage service users’ participation in service development, continuous improvement and feedback exercised.
- Represent the Rising Sun at relevant community meetings and forums.
- Support Rising Sun’s community services including our One Stop Shop drop in service and group programmes.
- Maintain up to date and accurate records and ensure, reports and evaluations are completed as required.
- Work as part of a team, supporting colleagues and building positive working-relationships with team members.
- Contribute to wider team meetings and discussions to share learning and feed into organisational developments.
- Be willing and available to work some evenings and weekends as required to support wider team activities such as representing Rising Sun at events (time off in lieu can be taken by arrangement with your line manager).
General
- At all times work professionally and to a high standard, setting an example to the wider team and external partners.
- A good knowledge and understanding of using IT programmes such as Word and Excel.
- Complete administrative tasks and ensure paperwork and evaluations are kept up to date.
- Demonstrate a commitment to continued professional development, being responsible for personal learning and keeping up to date on research, relevant legislation, policy and practice, and other literature relevant to the role.
- At all times protect the safety and security of the Rising Sun, service users, staff, volunteers and buildings, and the confidentiality of records and other information.
- Uphold the rights of women, children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse, and proactively assess the gender specific, trauma informed needs and the safety of children and women to ensure that any risks/needs identified are addressed, having full regard to Rising Sun Safeguarding Children policy and Safeguarding Adults policy.
- Be proactive and solution focussed while paying attention to detail.
- Participate in supervision, training and meetings as required.
- Ensure the effective implementation of Rising Sun’s policies and procedures and uphold the core values of the Rising Sun.
- Work across teams and undertake such other duties, appropriate to the grade and nature of the work, as may reasonably be expected.
This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time when it was drawn up and will be reviewed from time to time. Duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and cannot of themselves justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Knowledge and Qualifications
- An accredited VAWG/domestic abuse qualification, e.g. IDVA / DAPA (Desirable).
- Good understanding of the impact of domestic violence and trauma on survivors, children and young people, families and communities.
- Knowledge of issues affecting survivors, and an understanding of the barriers they may face in accessing support.
- Thorough knowledge of safeguarding practice, procedures and legislation.
- Good understanding of the operation of the agencies working together to support survivors such as social services, police etc.
Experience
- Experience of working with survivors affected by domestic and sexual abuse.
- Experience of managing own case load, working under pressure and prioritising workload.
- Experience of risk assessment and management, and safety planning.
- Experience of multi-agency partnership work.
- Experience of facilitating group programmes. (Desirable)
- Experience of working for a charity or not for profit organisation. (Desirable)
Skills
- Excellent listening, written and verbal communication skills.
- Non-judgemental and non-directive approach to empowering survivors along with the ability to understand the individual needs of clients.
- Effective crisis management, negotiation, advocacy and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work well within a team and responsibly on own initiative.
- Good task management skills and the ability to work effectively under pressure and to deadlines.
- Good data collection, monitoring and IT skills, including word processing and using databases and Excel spreadsheets.
General
- Able to work co-operatively with colleagues, statutory and non-statutory agencies.
- Able to set clear boundaries and a willingness to accept line management and make effective use of clinical supervision.
- A good understanding of the importance of confidentiality, safe practice and health and safety procedures.
- A good understanding of cultural issues, and commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities.
- A firm commitment to women, children’s and young people’s rights and to work within Rising Sun framework and its core values.
- Able to travel independently across East Kent to meet survivors and attend meetings.
- Willingness to carry out the policies and procedures of the Rising Sun and to work to agreed guidelines and codes of conduct.
Equal Opportunities Statement
Rising Sun is an equal opportunities employer. We recognise intersecting identities, and value what having a diverse team brings, both in terms of effectively responding to client needs, and engaging with each other at work. We encourage applicants from all sections of the community; especially from minority groups/groups with a protected characteristic such as B.A.M.E., who are currently underrepresented at Rising Sun. We are disability-friendly, and flexible working is available in the majority of roles. We strive to offer accommodations to all applicants who need them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
We are loooking for people with the values and commitment to increase the indepdence, self-confidenence and access to new opportunities for people with learning disabilities and enduring mental health support needs across our Supported Living Services in Kingston and Richmond.
Who we are
At Balance we are committed to empowering those we support to build independent, fulfilled and self-confident lives. We work hard to ensure our charitable values are central to the professional experience of those who work for us, with us and who benefit from our services. We operate a range of services in SW London including outreach and small homes based services in Kingston and Richmond.
Who you are
You are someone with experience of or a commitment to developing a person centred approach in working with people with complex needs and challenges. You will be a collegiate player, and someone able to see beyond the barriers that people with disabilities experience everyday. Your values and working practice will align with those of the charity to maximise the independence of those you are woking with, to enable their ability to make decisions about the types of service they are in reciept of and to ensure that your approach is both professional and sustainable.
Key Responsibilities of this role
Your primary responsibilities will include:
- To work as part of a diverse and experienced team providing personalised support, advice and advocacy to people living independently or in supported accomodation.
- To apply a collegiate approach to deliver strengths based support that maximises independence, knowledge and confidence of those using our services.
- To provide a key point of reference for information and support to those using the services and professionals and carers dependent on it.
- To work independently across the boroughs we operate in, with people in their homes or in accessing support and resources across the community.
Critical Values in the delivery of this role
- A commitment to building independence and self-confidence amongst your colleagues as well as those you provide services to.
- Recognition of the skills, knowledge and commitment of those working around you and your contribution to them.
- A professional, can do attitude that finds solutions in the darkest corners.
- A willingness to empower those around you to exercise authority to make mistakes, test things out and lead from the front.
Benefits in working for us
The charity ensure the following benefits for all its operational staff:
- A baseline commitment to pay london living wage for all its front line staff.
- A commitment to training and professional development to at least Care Certificate NVQ level 3
- Inclusion in and contribution to the charity's pension scheme
- Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days a year plus an additional day off for your birthday
- Access to a range of discount schemes
- Access to the charity's employee assistance programme
- Access to travel card loan and bike to work scheme
Please complete a covering letter and CV that indicates how you meet the key criteria in the person specification
The development of services that support the independence of vulnerable people with learning disabilities and/or enduring mental health needs and the
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you want to work with a leading advocacy charity organisation supporting those in need?
Do you have experience of working or volunteering in welfare, support or health and social care and are looking for a new challenge?
Are you keen to make a difference to people who want to be heard?
Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility.
We are looking for a new Advocate to join our team in Warwickshire and Coventry. We are seeking applicants who have transferable skills, a willingness to learn and a desire to help those in need of support.
About us
VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations.
We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most. For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.
About the role
We have an exciting opportunity for an Advocate to join our team covering Warwickshire and Coventry. Your role will require you to travel to locations such as hospitals and care homes across the area to meet with clients and professionals and be home based for administration; therefore, access to your own transportation and a suitable home internet connection is essential.
About you
Desirably you will have some experience of working in advocacy, or providing welfare, supporting, or caring for Adults or young people who have support needs, ideally for those with a variety of communication needs, mental ill health, physical health issues, or barriers to accessing education and support.
You should have worked or volunteered in health, social care, welfare, support services, education or young person’s services, or advice and guidance.
How will you make a difference?
You will be responsible for ensuring the individual’s wishes, feelings, beliefs, needs, and values are met to create positive outcomes for the people you support.
You will support people to speak up for themselves and grow in confidence, equip them to understand and exercise their rights and options, and will assist them in the decision-making process relating to their care, treatment, and support.
You will work resourcefully and collaboratively with the individuals you support. You’ll be creative in your approach to empower our clients by ensuring you meaningfully explain people’s options and rights to them. You’ll support individuals to fully participate in decisions affecting them and will make sure they have their voices heard.
Professional Development?
You will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your professional abilities and you will make a real difference every day.
Benefits:
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, pro-rata for part time employees
- 5% employer pension & 3% employee contribution
- Salary sacrifice pension scheme
- Separate Life Assurance Cover
- Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays etc
- Discounted Gym Membership; Employee Assistance programme
- Supportive working environment fostering a good work/life balance
- Support with continuous professional development
Equality and Diversity
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.
VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact HR for further options.
How to apply
To apply for this role please sign up for a recruitment account by clicking the apply button on this page. Follow the instructions to create your account, upload your CV, and complete our short application form.
Important Dates:
Closing date for applications; midnight on 2nd June 2024, however, VoiceAbility reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy before this date.
Don’t forget to read the person specification so you can tell us about yourself and how your skills, abilities and experiences match the criteria outlined in the person specification.
Hint: you can use work, personal and/or voluntary experiences, and examples to tell us why you should be our next Advocate.
We look forward to hearing from you.
NB:
If you don't already hold the Independent Advocacy Qualification, and you are successful in your application, it is a requirement that you complete this within 12 months of commencing the training. VoiceAbility will fund this training.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you want to work with a leading advocacy charity organisation supporting those in need?
Do you have experience of working or volunteering in welfare, support or health and social care and are looking for a new challenge?
Are you keen to make a difference to people who want to be heard?
Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility.
We are looking for a new Advocate to join our team in Warwickshire and Coventry on a fixed term contract until March 2025. We are seeking applicants who have transferable skills, a willingness to learn and a desire to help those in need of support.
About us
VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations.
We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most. For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.
About the role
We have an exciting opportunity for an Advocate to join our team covering Warwickshire and Coventry. Your role will require you to travel to locations such as hospitals and care homes across the area to meet with clients and professionals and be home based for administration; therefore, access to your own transportation and a suitable home internet connection is essential.
About you
Desirably you will have some experience of working in advocacy, or providing welfare, supporting, or caring for Adults or young people who have support needs, ideally for those with a variety of communication needs, mental ill health, physical health issues, or barriers to accessing education and support.
You should have worked or volunteered in health, social care, welfare, support services, education or young person’s services, or advice and guidance.
How will you make a difference?
You will be responsible for ensuring the individual’s wishes, feelings, beliefs, needs, and values are met to create positive outcomes for the people you support.
You will support people to speak up for themselves and grow in confidence, equip them to understand and exercise their rights and options, and will assist them in the decision-making process relating to their care, treatment, and support.
You will work resourcefully and collaboratively with the individuals you support. You’ll be creative in your approach to empower our clients by ensuring you meaningfully explain people’s options and rights to them. You’ll support individuals to fully participate in decisions affecting them and will make sure they have their voices heard.
Professional Development?
You will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your professional abilities and you will make a real difference every day.
Benefits:
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, pro-rata for part time employees
- 5% employer pension & 3% employee contribution
- Salary sacrifice pension scheme
- Separate Life Assurance Cover
- Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays etc
- Discounted Gym Membership; Employee Assistance programme
- Supportive working environment fostering a good work/life balance
- Support with continuous professional development
Equality and Diversity
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.
VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact HR for further options.
How to apply
To apply for this role please sign up for a recruitment account by clicking the apply button on this page. Follow the instructions to create your account, upload your CV, and complete our short application form.
Important Dates:
Closing date for applications; midnight on 2nd June, however, VoiceAbility reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy before this date.
Don’t forget to read the person specification so you can tell us about yourself and how your skills, abilities and experiences match the criteria outlined in the person specification.
Hint: you can use work, personal and/or voluntary experiences, and examples to tell us why you should be our next Advocate.
We look forward to hearing from you.
NB:
If you don't already hold the Independent Advocacy Qualification, and you are successful in your application, it is a requirement that you complete this within 12 months of commencing the training. VoiceAbility will fund this training.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you want to work with a leading advocacy charity organisation supporting those in need?
Do you have experience of working or volunteering in welfare, support or health and social care and are looking for a new challenge?
Are you keen to make a difference to people who want to be heard?
Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility.
We are looking for a new Advocate to join our team in Bedfordshire. We are seeking applicants who have transferable skills, a willingness to learn and a desire to help those in need of support.
About us
VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations.
We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most. For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.
About the role
We have an exciting opportunity for a part time Advocate to join our team covering Bedfordshire. Your role will require you to travel to locations such as clients’ homes, hospitals, care homes and within community settings across the area to meet with clients and professionals. You will be home based for administration; therefore, access to your own transportation and a suitable home internet connection is essential.
About you
Desirably you will have some experience of working in advocacy, or providing welfare, supporting, or caring for Adults or young people who have support needs, ideally for those with a variety of communication needs, mental ill health, physical health issues, or barriers to accessing education and support.
You should have worked or volunteered in health, social care, welfare, support services, education or young person’s services, or advice and guidance.
How will you make a difference?
You will be responsible for ensuring the individual’s wishes, feelings, beliefs, needs, and values are met to create positive outcomes for the people you support.
You will support people to speak up for themselves and grow in confidence, equip them to understand and exercise their rights and options, and will assist them in the decision-making process relating to their care, treatment, and support.
You will work resourcefully and collaboratively with the individuals you support. You’ll be creative in your approach to empower our clients by ensuring you meaningfully explain people’s options and rights to them. You’ll support individuals to fully participate in decisions affecting them and will make sure they have their voices heard.
Professional Development?
You will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your professional abilities and you will make a real difference every day. Advocates are expected to be willing to gain, or to already hold, the Level 3 Award in Independent Advocacy Practice with disciplines suitable for the role they work in.
Benefits:
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, pro-rata for part time colleagues
- 5% employer pension & 3% employee contribution
- Salary sacrifice pension scheme
- Separate Life Assurance Cover
- Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays etc
- Discounted Gym Membership; Employee Assistance programme
- Supportive working environment fostering a good work/life balance
- Support with continuous professional development
Equality and Diversity
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.
VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact HR for further options.
How to apply
To apply for this role please sign up for a recruitment account by clicking the apply button on this page. Follow the instructions to create your account, upload your CV, and complete our short application form.
Important Dates:
Closing date for applications; 5pm on 27/05/2024, however, VoiceAbility reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy before this date.
Don’t forget to read the person specification so you can tell us about yourself and how your skills, abilities and experiences match the criteria outlined in the person specification.
Hint: you can use work, personal and/or voluntary experiences, and examples to tell us why you should be our next Advocate.
We look forward to hearing from you.
NB:
If you don't already hold the Independent Advocacy Practice qualification, and you are successful in your application, it is a requirement that you complete the core element within 12 months of commencing the training. VoiceAbility will fund this training.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Mental Health IDVA will be employed by FearFree to develop pathways and processes for the Mental Health IDVA working in tandem with staff from Devon Partnership Trust to identify both patients and staff who are currently experiencing Domestic Abuse.
The Mental Health IDVA will work within a dynamic, fast paced, crisis intervention, advocacy and support service embedded within DPT to ensure all staff are aware of Domestic Abuse, and equipped to ask the right questions and encourage both patients and staff to engage with the support the Mental Health IDVA will bring to this environment.
The post holder will assist health practitioners to respond more effectively to domestic abuse, particularly those with complex and multiple needs, and will bring specialist knowledge and skills in empowering clients to seek the right support, and move forward.
The work will include providing specialist knowledge and expertise to other health care practitioners to ensure victims of domestic abuse (and their children) are safeguarded from further harm, to provide a strong partnership approach to service provision.
Priority will be given to medium and high risk cases that are employees and patients of DPT – those who do not live in Exeter/Mid Devon area to be sign-posted to specialist support within FearFree Devon, or referred to partner NDADA if living in North Devon. To work with all victims of abuse (male or female) who are currently registered with formal DPT support.
Key elements of the role include:
· Providing priority support to both patients and staff at the hospital.
· Delivering Domestic Abuse training to all staff at the hospital equipping them to recognise all forms of Domestic Abuse and ensuring they are confident in starting those conversations, and seeking additional support from the Mental Health IDVA.
· Risk assessing and helping to keep service users safe through safety planning.
· Enabling victims to access and engage with statutory and other services.
· Engaging with and supporting the MARAC process, to ensure that the voice of victims is heard.
· Managing a caseload of medium to high-risk victims and working proactively to support them and their families.
· Develop and maintain working relationships with additional services relevant to this field.
· Ensure services and resources are appropriate and tailored to services users needs.
· Support the relationship build between client and statutory services.
Key Responsibilities:
· Hold a caseload and provide high-quality telephone and face to face crisis intervention, information, advocacy and support to both staff and patients at the hospital who have been identified as victims of Domestic Abuse.
· Proactively assess the needs and risks of clients regularly in line with FearFree policies and procedures, having full regard for case management, MARAC and safeguarding adults and children policies and procedures.
· Complete risk and safety plans for all clients, ensuring risk management and safety is at the heart of everything we do in line with company standards.
· Ensure all records comply with compliance and quality standards and information is recorded accurately and in a timely manner
· Engage with all relevant support agencies, acting as the “voice” of both staff and patient victims to seek support to address specific identified barriers.
· Support all caseload to access external support and sign-post where appropriate to enable caseload to engage with other organisations who can support them on their road to recovery.
· Work proactively to raise awareness of Domestic Abuse and upskill all staff within the hospital to be able to identify potential Domestic Abuse, and seek support from the Mental Health IDVA.
· Attend regular safeguarding and domestic abuse meetings within DPT and health related settings to discuss active cases as required by the manager.
· Proactively assess the needs and safety of any children of the client and ensure that any risks/needs identified are addressed directly with them, having full regard to Safeguarding Children’s policy and complying with the Local Safeguarding Children requirements.
· Advise clients of their rights and options for seeking help and support from other agencies, making referrals, attending appointments with them when required, co-ordinating the provision of multi-agency support where necessary, and proactively advocating to ensure barriers to accessing support and protection are reduced.
· Proactively look for and implement innovative and creative ways of engaging vulnerable and hard to reach victims, particularly those with multiple needs, and sustain the engagement.
· Participate in multi-agency conferences and meetings in respect of children and adults at risk as required, providing reports and undertaking actions as necessary.
· Work in partnership with key agencies, particularly with external support agencies, to ensure effective joint working.
· At all times protect the safety and security of service users, staff, volunteers and buildings, and the confidentiality of records and other information in line with data protection requirements.
· To be flexible with meeting clients which may involve working outside of normal working hours.
· Produce data, reports, evaluations and undertake research, as requested and directed by the Manager.
General
· Remain up to date and concordant with organisational procedures, policies and professional code of conduct, upholding standards of best practice.
· Attend and contribute to team meetings.
· Contribute to effective team working with a flexible and pro-active approach, including cover for other team members’ holidays and sickness where required.
· Undertake agreed training and keep updated on changes in legislation, policy, and best practice.
· To support additional duties at your team managers discretion.
For a full job description/person specification and to apply, please follow the link provided on this website. The closing date for this role is 14th June, with interviews currently planned to take place the following week.
FearFree is committed to encouraging equality and diversity in the workplace. We strive to be a diverse and inclusive place to work where we can all be ourselves and individual differences are recognised and valued.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
About us: Community ConneX is a campaigning organisation and a multi-project service provider working across West London, Oxfordshire and Bedfordshire. We support autistic people, people with a disability, and people and families experiencing barriers to live healthier, happier, and inclusive lives. We do this by ensuring their needs, rights and aspirations are met.
Advocacy 1st is a free, independent service provided by advocates who specialise in the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and the Mental Health Act.
Hours: 35 hours per week
Location: Hybrid based in Oxfordshire
Key duties:
· Provide independent representation of young people’s wishes and views and ensure their voices are heard when key decisions are being made
· Empower children and young people to make effective use of local authority policies or complaints procedures
· Complete advocacy plans and work according to the agreed outcomes
· Take responsibility for individual caseloads, ensuring that visits and case recording is completed
· Contribute to and maintain effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders and professionals
Our ideal candidate:
· Holds a relevant advocacy qualification or intends to work towards this
· Has experience of working with children and young people
· Can travel independently to meet client
· Is aware of legislation such as Care Act 2014, Children and Families Act 2014, Children Act 1989, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
· Is experienced in delivering direct work to children, young people and vulnerable adults in a relevant setting.
· Can communicate effectively
In return we offer a range of benefits including:
· Pension contribution up to 5%
· Death in service insurance
· Employee assistance programme
· Bluelight Card
· Cycle to work scheme
· 23 days of annual leave + bank holidays (increases after 2 years of service)
· Gym membership
· Healthcash plan
· Professional development
We are committed to safeguarding and equal opportunities, and we guarantee an interview to all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the post.
We also want to ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable facilities to participate in job applications or interviews to perform essential job functions. To support this, we are a Disability Confident committed employer.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Mental Health Matters Wales is one of Wales’s leading mental health charities. We are an ever-growing charity with big ambitions. We need a wide, diverse and range of experience and skills in our team. Our team members are our number one resource. We do our upmost to ensure individuals feel respected, valued, and cared for, by enabling career success through the provision of unique opportunities to thrive and foster an inclusive workforce which embraces our shared set of core values based on character, relationships, and giving back to the communities where we work.
If this sounds like an organisation you would like to join and become part of a dynamic staff team to lead the way in supporting the improvement of social, emotional and physical wellbeing needs of the population across communities in Wales, then Mental Health Matters Wales is the organisation for you!
The PPASS service aims to improve and enhance the West Glamorgan regional advocacy network by creating a new form of peer advocacy and peer support for parents who are going through the child protection process, statutory assessment and/or the looked after children system within the Neath, Port Talbot and Swansea area.
Main duties
⦁ To provide an advocacy service for parents who are going through the child protection process, statutory assessment and/or the looked after children system
⦁ Provide advocacy support, to clients which may include accompanying clients to meetings, or support in writing letter to represent and/or negotiate on their behalf as requested.
⦁ To work in such a way as to encourage clients to self-advocate as much as possible via training/coaching/rehearsing
⦁ To provide clear information to enable clients to understand their rights and to make informed choices on options available to them
⦁ Undertaking promotional activities across West Glamorgan to promote the service in line with an agreed promotional plan.
⦁ Attending various meetings as requested by the council which may relate to promoting, reviewing and evaluating the service.
⦁ To make and maintain secure, accurate and confidential case records
⦁ To maintain contacts in the community
⦁ Work alongside the peer support workers to provide a wrap-around service for the clients.
In conjunction with the manager actively develop and maintain links with other advocacy groups within Neath, Port Talbot and Swansea.
For more information, please visit our section on our website to download a recuriment pack
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About Women in Prison
Women in Prison is a national, women-led, feminist organisation. We deliver front line support to women harmed by the criminal justice system, through our work in prisons, in the community and ‘through the prison gate’ as they resettle back into their communities. We also campaign for systems change that addresses the root causes of offending, reduces the harmful impact of prison, and creates workable, community-based alternatives to imprisonment.
Job Description:
Duties and Key Responsibilities:
- Client Care: provide high-quality, trauma-responsive advocacy and emotional and practical support to women in contact with, or at risk of being in contact with the criminal justice system
- Monitoring and Evaluation: accurately document all client interaction on Women in Prison’s case management database, working in line with Women in Prison’s case management policy at all times
- Communication: develop and utilise a variety of strategies to communicate effectively with women using our services, colleagues, external organisations, stakeholders and the general public
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
About us:
Community ConneX is a campaigning organisation and a multi-project service provider working across West London. We support autistic people, people with a disability, and people and families experiencing barriers to live healthier, happier, and inclusive lives. We do this by ensuring their needs, rights and aspirations are met.
Advocacy 1st is a free, independent service provided by advocates who specialise in the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and the Mental Health Act.
Location: Remote based in Oxfordshire
Key duties:
· Recruiting, training and providing ongoing support to volunteers
· Working with the children and young people to assess their service requirements
· Working with stakeholders to raise awareness and recognise and identify care leavers and young people in need of the Independent Visitors and Care Leavers service
· Looking at opportunities to engage and work with services to identify care leavers and independent visitors
· Reporting and discussing all safeguarding concerns with the service manager
· Completing initial assessments and matching volunteers to young people
· Raising the profile of the Independent Visitors and Care Leavers service
Our ideal candidate:
· Has qualifications relevant to the role
· Has experience of working with children and young people.
· Is aware of legislation such as Care Act 2014, Children and Families Act 2014, Children Act 1989, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the child (UNCRC)
· Has excellent communications and writing skills, and the ability to tailor written and verbal communications to a wide range of different audiences
· Can maintain existing relationships and develop new relationships with clients, families, colleagues and volunteers
· Can generate reports and make presentations
In return we offer a range of benefits including:
· Pension contribution up to 5%
· Death in service insurance
· Employee assistance programme
· Bluelight Card
· Cycle to work scheme
· 23 days of annual leave + bank holidays (increases after 2 years of service)
· Gym membership
· Healthcash plan
· Professional development
We are committed to safeguarding and equal opportunities, and we guarantee an interview to all applicants with disabilities meeting the minimum criteria for the post.
We also want to ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable facilities to participate in job applications or interviews to perform essential job functions. To support this, we are a Disability Confident committed employer.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!
We are looking for a Senior Multiple Needs Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate
Salary: £30,000-£32,000
Location: Ealing Women’s Wellness Zone & Hammersmith – Advance Head Office
Hours: 35 Hours per week (a late shift once per week till 7pm)
Contract: Fixed Term – 12 months (from start of employment)
This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
Please note: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check. This role is also subject to Police Vetting.
About us
Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community.
We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies.
Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
About the role:
The Senior Multiple Needs Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) will work within a dynamic, crisis intervention, advocacy and support service based at the CGL Ealing Women’s Wellness Zone. The IDVA will provide support in the local community and at the Ealing Women’s Wellness Zone. The successful candidate will be co-located up to 5 days a week at the Women’s Wellness Zone.
The IDVA will be closely working alongside CGL colleagues/team to deliver support to women with a range of complex support needs including substance misuse, mental health, domestic abuse, sex working, trafficking, and offending behaviour. The IDVA will work in collaboration with their team members to holistically support women in the borough of Ealing to achieve sustained recovery, improved health and wellbeing, helping women to manage/mitigate risks, and empowering them to reach their fullest potential in society as well as ensuring the voice of survivors informs every stage of the process.
The Senior Multiple Needs IDVA will assess the needs and risks of survivors, carry out short and longer-term risk management, safety planning and support. As well as identify and refer to services appropriate to their needs. They will also proactively advocate and advice women of their rights and options for seeking help and support from other agencies, encouraging them to engage with other agencies, and help co-ordinate the provision of multi-agency support where necessary.
About You:
To be successful as the Senior Multiple Needs IDVA you will need to have:
Excellent understanding of domestic abuse and its effects on women and children, of best practice in supporting survivors of domestic abuse, and of the MARAC. As well as understanding of drug and alcohol issues and experience of working within a related field.
Bringing your experience of risk and needs assessment, safety and support planning, and crisis planning and successfully managing high numbers of referrals and experience of working in a co-located setting with another agency and providing consultations/briefings to professionals to support in upskilling them around Domestic Abuse. The candidate will have experience of partnership working and of maintaining excellent working relationships with a range of stakeholders.
This is an exciting opportunity for you to work as part of an innovative service, designed to offer multi-disciplinary wrap-around support to women with multiple needs, with the aim of facilitating long-term recovery.
We enthusiastically welcome applications from Substance Misuse Workers/Practitioners, Recovery Workers, Recovery Practitioners, Recovery Coordinators, Drug Workers, Alcohol Workers and Needle Exchange Workers who meet the specified requirements.
How to apply:
Please submit your up-to-date CV with a supporting statement. Please note that only applications made via the job advert on the Advance careers page, and those that include a cover letter will be considered.
· Closing Date for Applications: Wednesday 22 May 2024
· Interviews are taking place on Thursday 30 May 2024
· *Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate.
What we can offer you - Employee Benefits:
- A 35-hour working week
- An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that's nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!)
- Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home
- Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more
- Pension scheme
- Enhanced maternity/adoption provision
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee eye-care scheme
- Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles
- Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation
- Organisation wide away days
- Thorough induction and training
- Career development pathways
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Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.
Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities
We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.
Safeguarding
Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
This role is part of the Devon Domestic Abuse Service which provides support to high and medium risk victims of domestic abuse and their families.
This exciting new specialist role of Housing IDVA is designed to support victims of Domestic Abuse to remain safe in their own accommodation or secure suitable new housing.
The main tasks for this role include:
- Managing a caseload of high risk victims, providing specialist support around housing.
- Acting as a link person between the local authority housing teams, our Domestic Abuse services in Devon, supported accommodation and refuges.
- Offering dedicated support to victims in Places of Safety.
- Providing specialist training and professional consultancy to partner agencies.
This is an 18 month contract with the potential to extend or be made permanent, subject to funding.
For a full job description/person specification and to apply, please follow the link provided on this website. This vacancy is will close once a suitable candidate is found, so early applications are encouraged.
FearFree is committed to encouraging equality and diversity in the workplace. We strive to be a diverse and inclusive place to work where we can all be ourselves and individual differences are recognised and valued.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Team Leader
Closing date for applications 23:59 hours on 4th June 2024
Salary c £35,000 per annum
To apply visit our website to download our recruitment pack with full application instructions
Successful candidates must demonstrate their ability to:
- Provide supervision, support and performance management of a small team of private tenancy rights caseworkers, ensuring equitable and manageable sharing of caseload
- Encourage and support user involvement and private tenants’ voice generally in our service development
- Represent Safer Renting to and manage relationships with an agreed group of local authorities
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Community Outreach Worker to provide high quality personal welfare support service to survivors of domestic violence and other forms of violence and abuse including those at the point of crisis. In this role the key responsibilities will be working within a multiagency framework to develop referral, joint working and information sharing protocol.
Please note that this post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies. As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota. An enhanced DBS will also be required for the successful applicant. As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call Rota.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.