Advocacy Jobs

We have an exciting opportunity for a Children & Young people's (CYP) Independent Domestic Violence Advisor to join our London CYP Service, working 37.5 hours a week.

Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change & improve the quality of lives of children and young people?

Do you have resilience & adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on safety and customer service and care?

If yes, then we'd love to hear from you…

What we offer:

At Victim Support we believe in attracting & retaining the best people and offer a competitive rewards & benefits package including:

• Flexible working options including hybrid working
• 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 33 days plus Bank Holidays
• £500 bonus paid on successful completion of probationary period
• Pension with 5% employer contribution
• Enhanced sick pay allowances, maternity & paternity payments
• High Street, retail, holiday, entertainment & leisure discounts
• Access to our financial wellbeing hub & salary deducted finance
• Employee assistance programme & wellbeing support
• Ongoing training & support with opportunities for career development & progression

About the role:

This role is based in our Old Street office with flexibility of hybrid working. As a Children & Young people's Independent Domestic Violence Advisor you will be required to:

• Effectively manage a caseload of different risk level cases of young people and provide specialist support to reduce the risk and increase safety.
• Provide one to one support to children and young people living in families affected by domestic abuse.
• Work collaboratively with LVWS IDVAs and other relevant support services to achieve the best outcomes for the family unit.

As a CYP IDVA:

• You will have a thorough understanding of the current issues for children and young people experiencing domestic abuse
• Experience of carrying out comprehensive needs and risk assessments; to ensure CYP's receive an individually tailored support package that fully meets their identified needs, including safety planning, advocacy, emotional and practical support.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

About Us:

Victim Support (VS) is an independent charity providing a range of specialist services to people who have been affected by crime across England and Wales. We work towards a world where there are fewer victims but who have stronger rights, better support and a real influence in the Criminal Justice System. Everyone at VS is driven by our Vision Ambitions and Values to play their part in making a difference for those who experience crime and traumatic events. Working for VS gives you the opportunity to play a key role in a national charity providing high quality services to victims and witnesses and being a vital force for change.

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

Victim Support strives to represent the diverse communities we serve and are passionate about creating an environment where all staff and volunteers feel respected and heard. Being a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture is integral to us being able to meet our aim of ensuring that anyone who is a victim of crime gets the support they need.

As part of our commitment to the Race at Work Charter we particularly welcome applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. VS is also a Disability Confident Employer and we provide a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates that are disabled and meet all essential criteria for a role.

If you have a disability, a learning difficulty such as dyslexia or a medical condition which you believe may affect your performance during any aspect of our selection process, we'll be happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to perform at your best.

How to apply:

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We look forward to hearing from you.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date.

Do you want to help shape the future of a fairer and more equal United Kingdom? Are you interested in tackling tax dodging and making those with the broadest shoulders pay their fair share? Are you a savvy political operator and a confident policy shaper who would like to use these skills for building momentum for a fairer tax system and a more equal society? Then read on.

Tax Justice UK (TJ-UK) is building momentum for a fairer tax system. We want to see higher taxes on the super-rich to support quality public services and ensure the redistribution of wealth. We also want to curb tax abuse and see fair global tax rules. Tax will be high on the political agenda during a highly anticipated general election and it will be a defining issue for the incoming government. Many sectors will coalesce around the demand for investment in public services, and TJ-UK will be at the forefront of this debate. 

Your role will help to win progressive tax reforms, build political support and anchor our campaigning with sound policy analysis. You don’t need a background in tax policy if you can demonstrate an ability to learn and master complex policy briefs. You do need to be hungry for change and be able to convince people in positions of power that progressive tax reform is sensible and feasible. Your policy expertise, political nouse and parliamentary knowledge will help the team to deliver change.

TJ-UK has a track record of securing campaign wins. We have built strong relationships with parliamentarians, policy makers and a network of influential think tanks and organisations. We also have excellent relationships with many influential media outlets, regularly securing extensive media coverage on tax justice issues. 

We’re looking for a policy/political expert with a track record of achieving political change and a commitment to tax justice. You will be confident in shaping policy, have excellent knowledge of parliamentary procedure and be a strong team player.

If that sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

You will: 

• Drive our advocacy, political engagement and external influencing

• Develop and coordinate policy for the organisation 

• Support our campaigns

We're looking for:

• A savvy political operator
• A confident shaper of policy
• A strong team player

Job Title: Independent Mental Health Advocate

Service: Coram Voice

Contract Type: Permanent – Part Time

Hours: 18 hours per week

Salary: £11,755.54 - £13,351.88 per annum (FTE £22,858 - £25,962) Subject to (IAQ or IAP IMHA qualification)

Location: North East (Homebased with travel to Morpeth and Prudhoe in Northumberland)

Our work

About Coram:

Coram is committed to improving the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people.

We support children and young people from birth to independence, creating a change that lasts a lifetime.

Coram is the UK’s oldest children’s charity founded by Thomas Coram in London helping vulnerable children and young people since 1739. Today, the Coram group helps more than one million children, young people, families and professionals every year by providing access to the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.

About Coram Voice:

Coram Voice is a national independent children’s charity established in 1975 and has grown to become one of the leading organisations for children and young people in the UK.

Coram Voice exists to enable and equip children and young people to hold systems to account, to challenge and support them to do their jobs properly and to uphold the rights of children and young people to actively participate in shaping their own lives.

Coram Voice strives for a society which recognises, and willingly accepts, its responsibilities to children and young people, where the inequalities and discrimination they currently face have been eradicated. Where those children and young people are fully engaged in all decisions that are made about their lives. Where the views, needs and feelings that they express are at the core of those decisions.

Our Advocacy services we provide advocacy direct to children and young people in a variety of situations. Advocates around the country support children and young people to get their voice heard in decisions about their lives. This may be through the telephone helpline or through an advocate working directly with a child, for instance, to support them at a review meeting or to help them make a complaint about their care. Coram Voice provides visiting advocacy services to most of the secure units nationally, to Secure Training Centres, Juvenile Young Offender Institutions, psychiatric hospitals, residential special schools and children’s homes.

About the Role

We are looking for an Advocate to join our team in the North East. We are seeking applicants who have transferable skills, a willingness to learn, a desire to promote the rights of children and young people and

• already have an IAP City and Guilds Level 3 or IAQ City or Guilds Level 4 in Advocacy, who have completed the specialist unit in Independent Mental Health Advocacy, or
• a wiliness to undertake the IAQ City or Guilds Level 4 in Advocacy.

You will work to empower and support children and young people to ensure their voices are heard within decision–making processes that effect their lives.

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

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

What you will receive

We wish to reward and recognise the valuable contributions our staff make to the organisation and offer an attractive benefits package to do so. Coram Voice benefits package includes a competitive salary, a matched pension scheme up to 5% of salary, generous leave entitlements of up to 25 days’ annual leave and an additional 3 days paid leave between Christmas and New Year. A supportive work environment fostering a good work/home life balance and a suite of family friendly policies, which promote employee wellbeing.

You will get a genuine opportunity to make a difference every day.

Recruitment process

Our Children’s Rights Managers will undertake Shortlisting. Successful candidates will be invited for interview.The interview process comprises of a written exercise and a panel interview.Successful candidates will have a further one to one interview in accordance within Warner recommendations. Internal candidates will need to notify HR of their interest in the post and they will provide further information on the internal application process.

Returning your application:

• We cannot accept general CVs.
• When completing your application form, you need to address each point of the person specification and demonstrate how you meet it.
• Applications must be fully completed.
• If you are a current Coram Voice employee you may submit a supporting statement only addressing the person specification requirements for the post.

Closing date: Thursday 4th July 2024 at 12pm

Interview date: Friday 12th July 2024

General consideration for applications:

• DBS checks: all posts are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring check.
• Training: All successful candidates are required to complete our compulsory training programme which includes training in Advocacy (Being a Voice) Safeguarding and Diversity
• Conflict of interest: the independence of the service is important to Coram Voice. Prospective applicants need to raise any other potential conflicts of interest when initially contacting Coram Voice about this post.

Coram is an equal opportunities employer and we believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve the services to the children and families we help. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community we seek to support. This includes those from, Asian, African, Caribbean and other minority ethnic backgrounds, those that identify as LGBQT+, those with disabilities, those with lived experience of care, those with neuro-diversity, and those from other groups who are underrepresented at Coram.

If applicants feel comfortable, we would encourage them to draw on lived experience as well as professional experience in their personal statement as part of their application.

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Registered Charity No. 312278.

Job Description

The Head of Advocacy and Policy will be responsible for developing an excellent Advice Service and Retention Team to support and advise students effectively to enable excellent student experience and satisfaction.

This role will lead on the development of effective insights, representation and support initiatives/campaigns for students, across our three campuses at Greenwich, Avery Hill and Medway.

This role will enhance work with the diverse student population of the University of Greenwich and lead a dynamic team to ensure students have consistent and accessible services that contribute to positive student experience.

This role sits within the wider Membership Services department, together with other key areas consisting of; Activities, Sport, Academic Communities, Representation and Democracy, we provide a high-quality service for students, that they can shape, steer and be at the heart of.

This postholder will be part of the GSU Senior Leadership Team and will be expected to contribute to department and organisation wide strategic development.

The post holder will:

• Have expert knowledge in areas of in relation to Advice and Retention and policies and legislation relating to such activity
• Support and develop strong student-led communities and campaigns in areas of: Advice, wellbeing and retention so that members can thrive
• Provide line management support to staff so that the team have up to date, specialist advice skills, knowledge and understanding of University regulations, policies and procedures that may affect the work of the Advice service and oversee engagement across Greenwich’s 3 campuses
• Undertake casework and provide expert advice for the team on all aspects of Advice
• Lead on the project management of wellbeing/health promotion campaigns and initiatives throughout the year, as well as any external bids through bodies such as OfS
• Oversee the Retention and Wellbeing Project work, and other relevant projects with external partners
• Lead on insights work relating to retention, wellbeing and support
• Lead on responses to external consultation and enquiry responses, including but not limited to OfS, Department for Education, OIA and Universities UK
• Support elected officers to deliver on campaigning priorities
• Ensure the Advice service has the skills and is equipped to support the diverse needs of students at Greenwich and Kent at Medway.
• Provide regular insights and reports on the GSU Membership to inform our strategy and service provision
• Work with other Heads to develop relevant and modern Front of House services for each GSU campus ensuring ease of access and consistency for all members.

Key Areas

• Be an engaged and active member of the Senior Leadership team, contributing regularly and working collaboratively with peers
• Provide leadership, strategic direction and day to day operational management to the Advocacy and Policy: recruiting and inducting members of staff, motivating, supporting and developing team members to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge for their roles as well as manage performance
• Develop a proactive results driven culture within the team, ensuring agreed objectives and targets are delivered, whilst promoting a collaborative approach to working with internal departments
• Develop succession plans and identify training and development opportunities within the team
• Be accountable for the quality of outputs of the team
• Provide support to the Officer team helping and equipping them, particularly in their roles as representatives and providing pastoral support and guidance.
• Ensure the whole organisation is aware of and understands the work of the Advocacy and Policy Team and its contribution to our strategic objectives
• To maintain expert and up-to-date knowledge on sector policies and regulations relating to advice, retention and student success, providing relevant guidance to officers and staff as required.
• Develop and promote a culture of continuous improvement across the team to ensure we can adapt to changing students’ needs and priorities, as well as building on successes and preparing for the future.

Strategic Development

• Contribute to the strategic objectives of GSU, with a particular focus on advice, support and wellbeing in relation to the student experience
• Develop and oversee a new and innovative approach to proactive health and wellbeing campaigns that empower students to look after themselves and each other, as well as seeking support
• Lead on Access and Participation Plan Engagement, acting as the key contact on this area with the University.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with relevant senior UoG staff and departments including Student Academic Services, Faculties and our partners at Kent Unio
• Develop and oversee the Advice service to support advocacy initiatives at multiple levels within the University, ensuring both students and University stakeholders view GSU as a credible and reliable source of information on the needs of students.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Develop and oversee a structured approach to gathering, analysing and reporting on data relating to engagement of students with our services and to student views on key issues relating to retention and success
• Develop and oversee processes of collecting quantitative and qualitative data from casework to analyse trends and inform feedback for the SU and university
• Ensure evaluation mechanism are embedded in the teams working practises and that findings are shared and used to implement learnings with the goal of improving services
• Support Officers by preparing information, statistics and trends about key services to be shared within the University committee cycle
• Be responsible for the implementation of service standards for the Advocacy and Policy Team and to monitor and report on adherence to these standards
• Prepare materials to apply for any relevant quality mark accreditations for the service.

Budget and Financial Management

• Manage a budget relating to Advocacy and Policy including any restricted funds.
• Be responsible for the teams resources, ensuring these are effectively allocated, managed and controlled
• Review and establish processes, systems, polices and where appropriate standard procedures to maximise efficiency ensure deadlines are met and a positive return on investment
• Review and provide narrative for scrutiny at monthly management meetings with the Finance Team

Stakeholder management

• Collaborate with GSU colleagues, particularly the Student Voice and Engagement Teams to ensure we have a consistent approach to how we work with and support students
• Work with students through our representative structures and forums to ensure we shape services students want and need, taking into consideration the varying campus priorities
• Maintain strong relationships with key university staff to develop, deliver and evaluate collaborative projects and interventions supporting advice and retention
• Attend meetings relating to Advocacy and Policy as well as associated areas at both GSU, the University and externally, included, but not limited to regional networks
• Identify opportunities to share best practice and represent the work of GSU and your team to the wider HE community, through conferences and publication.

Personal Specification

Essential Experience

• Line management experience
• Relevant experience working in the youth, education, students’ union or other membership or advisory organisation
• Experience of leading a multi-functional team
• Experience of mentoring coaching staff/elected officers
• Experience of developing operational policies and procedures
• Experience of budget management, project management, and operational management
• Experience of working with a range of stakeholders and partnership working or strategic networking

Essential Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work with and lead a high performing team
• Ability to troubleshoot difficult situations, and deal with them calmly, efficiently and effectively
• Ability to produce confident, clear written reports and be able to write succinct documents on complex areas
• IT skills at a level that supports membership CRM systems, Advice Pro and other platforms
• Excellent time management and organisational skills with the ability to manage others to reach deadlines, within agreed budgets and to a consistently high standard
• Ability to write strategies and be able to effectively communicate vision and mission
• Ability to stay focused and efficient in the face on changing priorities
• Track record of successfully developing and implementing projects and operational change
• Able to draft policies and procures with an eye for detail and accuracy

Essential Knowledge

• Awareness of current issues within the higher education sector
• Knowledge of relevant external bodies and organisations including Advice UK, NUS, Citizens Advice, OIA, Ofs, Student Minds
• Knowledge of relevant health and safety legislation
• Knowledge of Safeguarding, advice legislation, risk assessments and GDPR
• Knowledge of providing 121 support

Education/Training

• No one specific qualification is required, but evidence of recent continuing professional development in a professional area relevant to the post is required. For example: ILM, City &Guilds etc.

Personal Attributes and other requirements

• Able to travel within the Borough and Region.
• Able to work some evenings and weekends and stay overnight where necessary.
• Works well in a team with a flexible approach to work
• Be eligible for a DBS check if needed
• A commitment to the principles and practices of equality and diversity
• An ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work.
• Commitment to the values and ethos of GSU.

Desirable other requirements

• Visionary, creative, and innovative strategist
• A positive, solution focused leader – able to make ‘tough’ decisions; determined and resilient in order to cope with the demands of the role
• Empowering, authentic leader with high levels of emotional intelligence

Hours: 28 hours per week, worked over 4-5 days Monday–Friday.

We are looking for a Senior Advocate who will have day to day responsibility for the running and promotion of the advocacy service in Dorset.

You will manage a pool of advocates which involves recruitment, supporting them through induction and by conducting supervision and best practice meetings, ensuring the provisions of the service we offer to children and young people is to a high standard.

You will be responsible in managing the advocacy referrals and allocating these to the most appropriate advocate to meet the needs of the child or young person, whilst also carrying a small caseload of advocacy referrals yourself where you will provide independent and confidential advocacy to children and young people to empower them to express their wishes and feelings in decision that affect their lives to ensure that their voices are heard.

You will help drive the performance of the service by monitoring the referrals, activity and budgets, and using bespoke system, to prepare statistical and qualitative data reports for monitoring meetings to evidence service target achievements. This will also enable you to identify recurring themes and concerns which can be escalated.

This role also provides the opportunity to work in co-operation with other NYAS services and departments and well as acting the link between NYAS and the local authority.

For more information and to apply, please visit our website.

In order to meet the requirements of the role, you must live within the geographical area.

Requirements for the role include:

• Proven experience in working with children and young people in a social care setting, particularly children in care
• Proven experience of supervising staff and /or volunteers
• Experience and understanding of child protection/vulnerable adult safeguarding procedures
• An understanding of the importance of listening to children and young people without bias or prejudice
• An ability to communicate effectively and to a high standard both orally and in writing to a wide range of people.

Note to candidates: We will be actively interviewing for this position, so please apply early, as we may close this vacancy early when we receive a high number of applications. 

In return for joining NYAS, we offer the following benefits:

• pro rata of 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Salary sacrifice pension contributions
• Additional sick pay
• Enhanced pay for family friendly leave
• Health care plan
• Employee assistance programme
• Cycle to work
• Learning and development oppotunities

Male Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (MISVA)

WMRSASC has a vacancy for a Male Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (MISVA)

The successful candidate will have an understanding of the nature and impact of sexual violence and experience of working with victims. They will be required to work within a multi-agency setting to provide a pro-active service to survivors of sexual violence within and outside of the criminal justice system to:

Develop and deliver a non-therapeutic advocacy and support service to clients

Help clients to access appropriate therapeutic interventions and to develop their own support network

Where necessary provide emotional, practical and advocacy support through the Criminal Justice System

Monitor and keep the client informed of case progress if involved with the Criminal Justice Process

Provide information about the impacts of sexual violence and signpost to specialist support services

Maintain a caseload and accurate electronic records

Support client to access their rights

Contribute towards service development

Participate in individual clinical supervision, appraisal sessions and team meetings

The post holder will support adults and children and young people dependent upon service demands.

The post holder must have the ability to travel throughout West Mercia.

Please note your response needs to match the individual job you are applying for so please ensure you review the Job Description and ensure your response covers all aspects (qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience)

We reserve the right to close applications prior to the closing date should we receive enough applicants that meet the shortlisting criteria.

Location: Hereford with travel expected across the region

Contract: Full Time, Permanent

Salary: £29,439 PA

REF-214 613

Job Title: IRIS Bromley Senior Advocate Educator

Hours: Full-time 35 hours per week OR Part-time 28 hours per week 

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract to 31st March 2027 

Salary: £35,000 to £36,000 per annum (FTE) – depending on experience 

Application Deadline: Sunday 30th June 2024 at 11.00pm 

Interviews: week commencing 8th July 2024 

Location: BCWA’s Head Office in SE20 and GP practices within Bromley borough 

Employee benefits we offer: 

- A friendly, flexible and values-led organisation 

- Competitive salary 

- 25 days of annual holiday, plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time) 

- Birthdays and Wellbeing leave 

- Contributory pension scheme (5%) 

- Training to help you perform your role and support your professional development 

- Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Counselling and wellbeing support 

- Health care cash back schemes 

Who we are: Bromley & Croydon Women’s Aid is a well-established, innovative and forward-thinking local domestic abuse service. We are seeking a self-motivated, flexible and experienced individual to join our dynamic team to help us deliver excellent services to vulnerable women who have experienced domestic abuse and be committed to working in a non-discriminatory manner.  

About the role:  We are recruiting a Senior Advocate Educator to work closely with GP practices in Bromley borough. You will promote the IRIS programme and offer training to GP practice staff, as well as providing one to one emotional and practical support to a caseload of clients experiencing domestic abuse.  IRISi is an evidence-based domestic abuse training and referral programme developed specifically for general practice, currently being delivered across 30+ areas of England and Wales.  You can find more information about the IRISi programme on their website.   You will manage one other member of staff in the IRIS team and contribute to service plans and reports on the IRIS service. 

The successful applicant will have:  

• Experience of working with victims and survivors of domestic abuse and an understanding of the barriers to accessing support services 

• Experience of promoting services and building strong working relationships with external organisations  

• Experience of delivering training to a range of professionals  

• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle in order to travel to GP practices across Bromley  

All staff have access to hot-desking at our offices as needed. We do our best to accommodate flexible working practices at BCWA. We are all women with busy lives and families, and we understand that flexibility can be crucial in supporting women in the workplace.  
 

Location:  BCWA’s head office in SE20 and GP practices within Bromley borough 

Wellbeing: As a trauma-informed charity we take mental health and wellbeing seriously. We offer clinical supervision to our frontline team, regular staff wellbeing sessions, use of our Employee Assistance Programme and an additional wellbeing platform which offers a range of advice and support. 

Notifying candidates: We apologise in advance that we will not be able to notify candidates who are not shortlisted. If you haven’t heard from us within two weeks from application deadline, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.

We reserve the right to terminate this recruitment process should we receive a large number of applications. 

Female applicants only: In light of the nature of work, the candidate’s gender is considered to be an occupational requirement in accordance with Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010. 

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: BCWA is committed to supporting and promoting equality & diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. To achieve this, we seek to employ a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds to better represent the communities we serve. 

BCWA are an Equal Opportunities Employer. 

Reg. Charity No.1068007. 

Job Opportunity: Women's Advocacy Support Worker

17.5 hours - 2/3 days per week

27k pro rata

1-2 year Fixed term contract

North London Refuge Based

Job Purpose: Seeking a compassionate Support Worker to provide high-quality support and safety planning to women and children in crisis and fleeing from domestic abuse. Responsibilities include empowering women to maintain accommodation, access benefits, legal advice, and community support.

Responsibilities:

1. Provide personal welfare support to women in crisis, ensuring a safe environment.
2. Maximise safety when providing support in the community.
3. Report safeguarding issues concerning children to authorities.
4. Assess benefit requirements and facilitate prompt uptake.
5. Inform survivors of legal protection rights and arrange legal advice.
6. Support community integration
7. Organise community-based activities and drop-in sessions.
8. Adhere to quality management system and maintain confidentiality.
9. Provide reports and seek feedback for service development.
10. Attend meetings and ensure compliance with regulations.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Previous support role experience, preferably in crisis intervention or domestic violence services.
• Understanding of domestic violence, safeguarding, and welfare benefits.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Cultural sensitivity and knowledge of local resources desirable.
• Experience of working with vulnerable people within homelessness, mental health or domestic abuse.

How to Apply: Submit your CV and cover letter demonstrating your relevant experience and passion for helping vulnerable individuals.

Morgan Hunt is a multi-award-winning recruitment business for interim, contract and temporary recruitment and acts as an Employment Agency in relation to permanent vacancies. Morgan Hunt is an equal opportunities employer. Job suitability is assessed on merit in accordance with the individual's skills, qualifications and abilities to perform the relevant duties required in a particular role.

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 Ayrshire. We are seeking applicants who have transferable skills, a willingness to learn and a desire to help those in need of support or already have a Level 2 Award in Independent Advocacy.

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 Ayrshire You will be involved in one-to-one advocacy along with group work across the area; this could be in a clients’ home or other suitable community venue and be home based for telephone referrals and administrative tasks.  Therefore, access to your own transportation and a suitable home internet connection is essential. 

This is a full time role for 35 hours per week, applicants who do not hold the Level 2 Award in Independent Advocacy will start on £22,500 per annum.

About you

We actively encourage applications from those who are long term unemployed.

Desirably you will have some experience of working, 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, training, benefits, employment, care 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.

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.  This can be through 1-2-1 advocacy or in a group setting.

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 2 Award in Independent Advocacy with disciplines suitable for the role they work in.

Benefits:

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• 5% employer pension & 3% employee contribution
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Separate Life Assurance Cover
• Staff discount scheme including 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; noon on 23rd 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.

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 the East Riding of Yorkshire. 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 the East Riding of Yorkshire. 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 23rd 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.

Do you want to shape the future of our response to stalking and personal safety? 

Do you have resilience and flexibility to meet the demands this role brings, and enjoy working in a sharing and learning environment? 

If yes, then read on.

About the Suzy Lamplugh Trust

Suzy Lamplugh Trust is the UK’s pioneering personal safety charity and leading stalking authority. We were established in 1986 following the disappearance of 25-year-old Suzy Lamplugh, an estate agent and lone worker who went to meet a client and never returned. The Trust exists so that what happened to Suzy does not happen to anyone else. For the past 37 years, we have worked towards reducing the risk of harassment, stalking, aggression, and violence. Our Stalking Helpline offers support and advice to thousands of victims of stalking every year, while our bespoke advocacy teams work closely with partners across the Violence Against Women and Girls’ (VAWG) sector, the criminal justice system, and both statutory and non-statutory services to ensure our clients can live a live free from abuse and fear.

You will be working alongside a team of advocates who are dedicated to supporting and empowering victims and survivors of stalking. By working with a caseload of 20- 25 clients, you will have the opportunity to provide holistic and bespoke advocacy to your clients, whilst leveraging your knowledge of gender-based abuse to support the Trust’s specialist mission.

Purpose of Role:

· To provide expert advice and advocacy to victims of stalking.

· To provide guidance and support by telephone, email and face-to-face to those affected by stalking.

· To provide casework support and advocacy to victims of stalking, liaising with both voluntary and statutory services to ensure positive outcomes for victims. 

· To support the operational Team Leaders where required.

What we offer in return

In return for our staff’s commitment and dedication, we offer a range of benefits:

• Hybrid working (minimum 40% in the office and agile working enabled to work from home)
• Flexitime Policy
• 28 days annual leave (which increases after 3 and 5 years to a maximum of 33 days pro rata) + public holiday
• Special leave for life events, such as 1 day off for moving house
• Pension scheme with 5% employer contribution
• Health & Wellbeing App with access to advice, counselling, support and a wide range of discounts
• Occupational Sick Pay (which increases after 3 years)
• Cycle to Work scheme (cycle racks on site)
• Interest-free travel loan for annual season ticket
• Regular all-staff off-site meetings and events

Work Location:  The post holder will be required to be office-based initially to support their induction and integration with the service.  Thereafter, a blended model (40 office/60 home), with office working in London and home working (must have adequate and confidential workspace when remote working). Candidates should ideally be located in London or immediate surrounding area (but locations outside of these areas may be considered).

We are recruiting for a number of these posts. The roles are also available on a part-time basis.

Please refer to the attached pack for the detailed Job Description and Person Specification.

Are you passionate about nature and ready to make a real impact? 

We are seeking a dynamic Strategic Advocacy & Partnerships Manager to lead our evidence, advocacy and influencing work to advance our Strategy 2030 ambitions for nature recovery.

We’re looking for someone with a proven track record of advocacy, campaigning, partnership and/or movement building. You will have a good working knowledge of planning and natural environment legislation and a relevant qualification. You need to be a great communicator in order to reach a diverse range of audiences and be able to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment.

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.

LGBT+ Independent Hate Crime Victim Advocate

Do you want to make life better for LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse?

Galop, the UK’s LGBT+ anti-abuse charity, is seeking an LGBT+ Independent Victim Advocate.

Galop works directly with thousands of LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence every year. We specialise in supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime, and other forms of abuse including honour-based abuse, forced marriage, and so-called conversion therapies. We are a service run by LGBT+ people, for LGBT+ people, and the needs of our community are at the centre of what we do.

We run a national support helpline for LGBT+ victims and survivors of all types of violence and abuse. We provide advocacy services, both in London and nationally, for LGBT+ victims who need longer-term support. We are person-centred, empowerment-based, and trauma-informed – meaning our focus is always on helping our clients decide what is best for them, and then supporting them through their journey.

We use what we learn through working on the frontlines with clients to work on national and local policy change, to improve outcomes for LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence. We build evidence through key pieces of research, like our upcoming report into LGBT+ experiences of sexual violence. We push for legislative change, improved statutory guidance for victims, and better understanding of the needs of LGBT+ people around the country.

You will work directly with LGBT+ victims/survivors of abuse and violence, offering them a space to talk and think through options, helping them plan what they want to do, and offering assistance in getting what they need from services. Your work will focus on needs specifically related experiences of abuse or violence, including issues such as wellbeing, support with the criminal and civil justice process, safety and access to other services to enable survivors to cope and recover. You will be empathetic and thoughtful in your approach to understanding your clients’ needs, while remaining boundaried and mindful of self-care.

You will have expertise in delivering needs-led specialist support services. You will need to be solutions-focussed and enjoy working collaboratively across a diverse and committed team. You’ll need to have good resilience and self-care, and be prepared to work in an environment where abuse and violence are regularly talked about. You’ll need to understand the impact of trauma and how that affects our team.

At Galop, we believe that life should be safe, just and fair for all LGBT+ people, and that includes our staff in the workplace. We believe in equity and understand the importance of inclusion for staff with a wide range of lived experience. No matter your age, race, faith, orientation, gender identity, disability, or class, we want you to feel welcome here. To that end, Galop has a multi-year Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion plan in place, currently focusing on equity and inclusion for trans and global majority members of staff. We are committed to listening and learning, and to constant improvement. We believe it is our job to make sure that all our staff, particularly those from minoritised backgrounds, feel welcome, safe, and able to thrive at Galop.

Location: Galop’s offices are located in London. Hybrid working is available.
Hours: Full Time (35 hours per week)
Contract: Fixed term until 31st March 2025 with the possibility of extension dependent on funding
Salary: Galop uses the NJC scales. This post is on NJC scale points 20 to 25 £31,359.72 - £36,008.37 per year (including an inner London weighting of £4129.42 where relevant for employees based in London or working primarily in our London office)

Closing Date:
Applications should be submitted by 10:00am on Monday 24th June 2024.
Interviews will be held on Friday 5th July 2024.

REF-214 566