Independent Advocate

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Job description

Job Benefits:

Health Care (Cash plan)

Optional day off to volunteer

Option to buy and sell additional holiday

Life Assurance

Bike2Work Scheme

Home Based: Tower Hamlets,London

Job reference: 130

Permanent contract

Full time: 37 hours, 5 days per week working Monday to Friday 9am-5pm

Salary: £22,500.00 - £25,623.00 per annum, plus London weighting £3,182.00 per annum+ Benefits (dependent on experience)

Due to the nature of the role and In line with legislation, the successful candidate will need to confirm and demonstrate that they are fully COVID-19 vaccinated, or be able to provide certified medical exemption.

Giving people a voice - and making sure it's heard - is something POhWER does every day. We're all about promoting equality, challenging unfairness and giving disadvantaged and vulnerable people access to high quality information, advice and advocacy services. POhWER is a registered charity that provides a range of services across England.

We are looking to recruit people who share our core values and can demonstrate that they apply and live those values in their daily working practice.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full time Independent Advocate to join the London team. The post will be home based working acrossTower Hamlets, London.

You will be supporting a wide range of vulnerable adults often with profound and multiple needs, so you will have experience of this type of work, along with a good working knowledge of public and voluntary organisations.

Ideally, you will have strong experience working with vulnerable adults who are affected by significant health and social care issues who find it difficult to speak up for themselves; and experience providing persuasive verbal and written representations.

You will be a confident positive team player, able to work in partnership with clients and professionals, gaining an understanding of their issues by listening, exploring options and taking action as directed by them. Our ideal candidate will have worked in advocacy, information and advice or similar role before, ideally in a health, social care or voluntary setting and will have experience of working with vulnerable adults.

You will need to have a flexible attitude and must be comfortable handling highly sensitive information whilst able to work well independently and confidently on behalf of others. Strong communication skills and time management skills will be required and you will need to be computer literate.

Because of the nature and location of the role, applicants must live within the area; have a full driver's licence and access to their own transport. Travel expenses will only be paid once in the London zones 1-6.

We apologise in advance, that if you do not hear back from us within two weeks of the closing date then please presume that you have been unsuccessful.

As a minimum you should have:

A good understanding of statutory advocacy under the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Mental Health Act 1983 (2007 Amendments)
An understanding of relevant public sector complaints processes
Experience providing written reports to a high standard
Ability to form positive boundaried working relationships with a wide range of clients
Ability to support clients who may have a range of particular communication and other needs
Ability to provide non-instructed advocacy
Ability to manage a complex caseload covering a wide range of subjects
Ability to research options to ensure clients can make an informed choice
Excellent communications skills, able to communicate sensitively and empathetically
Ability to communicate effectively with professionals and other organisations
Manage risk to self and others
Good personal planning and organisational skills
Good IT skills
An effective team player
Flexible positive approach

Ideally you will also have:

An excellent working knowledge and experience working within the frameworks of the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Mental Health Act 1983 (2007 Amendments)
Knowledge of advocacy best practice and experience delivering advocacy to the highest standards
Excellent knowledge of public and third sector organisations and processes
Experience of using relevant complaints processes
Completed the National Advocacy Qualification
Knowledge of non-Instructed advocacy
Experience of working with people with a range of needs including acquired brain injury, autism, learning disabilities, dementia, mental health problems (including diagnosed mental disorders)
Willingness to work in a range of environments

How to apply

Please submit your CV and cover letter (cover letter no longer than 1 side of A4) before the application deadline 9am, Friday 10th December 2021. In your cover letter please include your reasons for applying for the role, how you meet the person specification criteria and have and your notice period.

Please submit your CV and cover letter to .net quoting reference 130.

Previous unsuccessful candidates do not need to apply.

Closing date: 9am, Friday 10th December 2021

Interviews: Monday 20th December 2021

A DBS check will be required for this post.

POhWER is an equal opportunities employer, holder of the Investors in People Silver award and a member of the MINDFUL EMPLOYER scheme. We are a member of the Positive about Disability scheme and disabled applicants who meet all the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.