Advocate (Charity / Social Care) 

Our client supports people who face disadvantage or discrimination to have a voice that counts. Providing advocacy and user involvement services across England, our client is a growing organisation working with people who are vulnerable or marginalised to raise their voices and have their rights respected. 

Position: Advocate (Casual) 
Location: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire 
Job type: Casual, Permanent
Hours: Casual 
Salary: £21,000 to £25,700 per annum 

Closing date for applications: 23rd October, 2018 

About the role: 

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

In this front-line role, you will deliver positive outcomes for people you support, and your work will also contribute to the wider impact of the organisation. 

The successful candidate will help eligible people to have their say in decisions around the support, treatment and care that they receive. Advocates are not support workers, counsellors or befrienders and will not give any legal advice or legal support. 

You will be working on a sessional basis at times of increased or peak demand, covering holiday and other absences. The role is office based, with travel across Cambridgeshire to care homes, hospitals and clients’ homes. Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed in line with our clients Policy. 

Essential Skills / Experience: 

- Be passionate about empowering and enabling individuals to have their wishes, feelings, beliefs and needs taken into account 
- Demonstrate excellent verbal, listening and written communication skills 
- Have the ability to engage with people with complex needs and communication difficulties 
- Be experienced in influencing and working with health and social care professionals, legal services, care staff and family members 
- Be able to build good relationships with clients, health and social care professionals, legal professionals and carers 
- Be able to identify and act appropriately where issues of safeguarding individuals arise 
- Have strong IT skills to accurately record information in line with policy and current data standards 
- Be experienced in working with marginalised and vulnerable adults and or children. 
- Be able to research complex and sensitive issues independently, using case law, national policy and guidance for advocates to work to resolution of issues 

Desirable Skills / Experience: 

- A full, clean UK driving license and access to own vehicle 
- Hold or be working towards Independent Advocacy Qualification 
- Knowledge and experience of the Mental Health Act (1983, revised 2007), Care Act (2014) and Mental Capacity Act (2007) and The Principles of Human Rights and Advocacy 

You may have experience of the following: Advocate, Vulnerable Adults, Social Worker, Healthcare, Policy, Legislation, Support Worker, Charity, Third Sector, Advice & Guidance, Charites, NFP, Not For Profit, Care Worker, Care Advisor, Customer Care Advisor, Social Care, etc.