Job Description

About Disability Together

Disability Together (formerly Living Options Devon) is a leading charity in Devon dedicated to reducing barriers and creating opportunities for Disabled and d/Deaf people. Our purpose is to ensure individuals can live fulfilling, independent lives while being fully included in their communities. We offer a wide range of services - from advice, advocacy, counselling and sensory support to wellbeing activities and social opportunities - each designed to help people build confidence, exercise choice, and lead happy and healthy lives.

Alongside supporting individuals, we work with businesses, public services, and organisations to drive accessibility, awareness, and inclusivity. Together, we aim to build a fairer, more accessible society for all.

We operate in a culture of open communication, empowerment and development, where individual differences and abilities are respected, and people are encouraged to achieve their full potential.

We are a user-led organisation and welcome and encourage applications from Disabled and d/Deaf people.

NB This post is exclusively funded through the Devon County Council (DCC) Devon Advocacy Service contract to deliver advocacy services in accordance with the DCC specification. The successful applicant will need to provide two references and a satisfactory Criminal Record Bureau Disclosure at enhanced level.

Overview of the Role

The Devon Advocacy Consortium is commissioned by Devon County Council to provide a high quality Independent Advocacy service across Devon and Torbay for vulnerable adults with complex health or social care needs due to physical, learning or sensory disability, Deafness (for whom British Sign Language is their first or preferred language), Acquired Brain Injury and/ or general frailty.

The aim of the Devon Advocacy Consortium (which is made up of a number of local specialist providers) is to provide a joined up advocacy service which meets the needs of vulnerable people across Devon and Torbay.

Job Profile

To act as a generic advocate for vulnerable adults with complex health or social care support needs due to physical, learning, and/or sensory disability or general frailty. To represent people who are deprived of their liberty in residential /supported living/ domestic settings.

Key Responsibilities

Generic Advocacy:

Support people referred for generic non-statutory advocacy in accordance with the Advocacy Charter principles.

Liaise with health and social care professionals, attend meetings, and provide reports.

Ensure clear and accurate recording of case work on the service data base.

Deprivation of Liberty Work

Represent and support the person in all matters relating to a Standard Authorisation or Court Order authorising a deprivation of liberty.

Maintain regular face-to-face contact with the deprived person.

Support the deprived person to understand the effects of the DoLS Standard Authorisation/Court Order.

Support the deprived person to understand their right to request a review of the Standard Authorisation and/or challenge the Standard Authorisation in the Court of Protection.

Ascertain the deprived person's views on their care and accommodation, and the restrictions imposed on them, under the Standard Authorisation/Court Order.

Ensure that the deprived person's views are communicated to the residential home/supported living management, Local Authority DoLS team, other professionals, e.g. social workers, and family, as appropriate.

Monitor compliance with any conditions attached to the Standard Authorisation/Court order bringing non-compliance issues to the attention of the DoLS team/appropriate Local Authority professional.

Request a review of the Standard Authorisation based on any of the qualifying criteria if appropriate.

Initiate a challenge to the Standard Authorisation, on behalf of the deprived person, in the Court of Protection if appropriate.

Ensure clear and accurate recording of case work on the service data base.

Prepare reports for the Local Authority at specified intervals or on request.

General

Ensure the requirements for internal and external monitoring and evaluation are met.

Work in accordance with all Disability Together's policies and procedures.

Promote positive team working, ensuring good communication, cohesiveness and collaborative team working.

Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grading of the post, as agreed with the Advocacy Manager.

Liaise with the Advocacy Manager in the event of holidays/sickness/other absences.

Work flexibly, supporting the Advocacy team, when required.

To undertake an initial training and induction programme.

To take part in supervision, team development and individual performance reviews as required.

To attend and participate in regular Advocacy team meetings and occasional Disability Together staff meetings.

To actively participate in an appraisal/personal development planning process.

To support the learning and practice of other members of the Advocacy team as appropriate.

To perform other duties that may be required by the employer to provide effective advocacy to clients and to ensure the efficient running of the service.

Personal Development

Undertake mandatory initial training and induction programme.

Undertake and complete all relevant Mental Capacity Act (MCA), Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), and Safeguarding of Adults training.

Actively participate in Disability Together's Performance Management process.

Undertake and implement agreed training & personal development.

Due to the requirement to work in very rural areas of Devon and Torbay, it is essential that the post-holder has access to a motor vehicle which is adequately maintained and insured for the purposes of undertaking business mileage.

Travel expenses will be met in accordance with Disability Together's Expenses Policy.

The duties described in this job description must be carried out in a manner which promotes equality of opportunity, dignity and due respect for all employees and service users and is consistent with Disability Together's Equal Opportunities Policy.

Probationary Periods

All appointments are subject to a six-month probationary period.

This post is subject to a disclosure check with the Disclosure and Barring Service at an Enhanced Level.

All duties and responsibilities must be carried out in line with requirements of the Data Protection Act, Equalities Act and with due regard to own and others' health & safety.

This job description is intended as a summary of the main elements of the job described. They may be varied from time to time in consultation with the job holder 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.

Disability Together Values

Our values underpin how we work and help us achieve our mission.

Courage - We are brave

We demonstrate our courage and integrity by:

Treating each other with dignity, respect and kindness

Trusting and standing up for each other and ourselves

Always learning improving and innovating

Communication - We are open

We create a transparent, honest and safe environment by:

Actively listening to an engaging with our teams and communities to understand what they actually need.

Gaining honest feedback on our services to help design and shape of future direction.

Always learning improving and innovating

Collaboration - We are a team

We recognise that we are stronger together and will:

Work in partnership with people and organisations to provide, joined up services that meet the needs of our communities. Raise awareness of issues that impact our communities in order to deliver a positive change. Take responsibility and challenge each other to do more and better.

Community - We belong

We build our community by:

Providing a warm welcome, empathising and connect, connecting with people and creating an open and inclusive environment. Working together with a shared purpose to achieve a common goal, embracing ambitions, and celebrating success. Supporting and empowering each other to reach our full potential.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 27,173.00 per year

Expected hours: 22.5 - 37 per week

Benefits:

Company pension Flexitime On-site parking Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Devon EX2 8PW