Job Description

Main Duties: o To provide deaf community-centred, needs-focused information, advice, guidance and advocacy support as part of a team of part time, specialist Advocates o To aid equitable access to and ensure understanding of written communications received (from banks, councils, DWP, employers, health services, landlords, public sector/private service providers) or collected (in the form of public health literature, information on accessible sports and physical activity programmes, transport etc) where English is not Deaf clients' first language (and BSL is for instance), literacy issues, dyslexia and/or learning difficulties are evident, to enable informed decision-making/action planning and provide assistance where required in order that equity, positive outcomes and wellbeing may be assured o To give help in application for housing, benefits or travel passes including make telephone calls, book appointments and arrange suitably qualified and experienced/NRCPD-registered BSL Interpreters or Communication Support Workers o To grow awareness and understanding of legal rights and to represent D/deaf and hard-of hearing people where they have encountered injustice (in benefit appeals, representation at employment tribunals, in mediation with Landlords, pursuit of legal aid, pension credits, debt management solutions and similar) - informing and helping shape fair system change o To challenge public service providers' lack of accessibility for D/deaf, deafened and hard-of hearing people against a backdrop of the Equality Act 2010, the Accessible Information Standards 2016 and the BSL Act 2022, and to inform and guide their staff training and reasonable adjustments so that they can become compliant with the law and positively impact the life experiences and outcomes of Deaf people People Matters (HRC) Ltd Bolton Deaf Society, Accessible Information and Advocacy Service Advocate September 2025 o Keep up to date on public, private and third sector services in Bolton to which onward referrals might be made; legislation, benefits, health and social care changes, and other matters of interest to/important for and with impact on D/deafened/hard-of-hearing people o Grow and maintain relationships across the public, private and third sectors that will help build service profile, generate referrals, extend service reach and impact o Model best practice in line with the Advocacy Charter, and maximise opportunities of learning exchange with other specialist Deaf service providers with which Bolton Deaf Society enjoys good relations o Maintain accurate, up-to-date records on all clients - and ensure their security/confidentiality o Support on-going service improvement work and take-up on reasonable training requests made by the Accessible Information and Advocacy Service Lead

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From 12,230.40 per year

Expected hours: 15 per week

Work Location: In person