Job Description

Independent Professional Advocate

Reports to: Advocacy and Advice Services Manager

Direct Reports:

N/A

Base:

County Hospital, Pontypool and community working

Hours:

31 hours

Hourly rate:

12.26 per hour

Purpose of the Role

The Independent Professional Advocate provides high-quality, person-centred advocacy support in line with the Advocacy Quality Performance Mark. The role involves routine visits to care homes in Blaenau Gwent and hospitals and client homes across Gwent, ensuring that adults are supported to have their voices heard and their rights respected. Advocates also signpost clients to relevant internal and external services to ensure access to appropriate information and support.

The post requires effective caseload management, flexibility, and a genuine passion for supporting older people. A driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes are essential. An enhanced DBS check will also be required.

Main duties and responsibilities

To provide a quality independent advocacy service to our clients, having a clear understanding of their needs

To understand the role of an advocate in presenting information and providing support to clients to enable them to make informed decisions

To act in a non-judgmental way

To assist with telephone enquiries and accept referrals to the service as required

To be responsible for managing a case load of clients and arranging contact as needed

To log clear and concise case notes on IT systems (Charitylog) ensuring they are compliant with Quality Performance Mark and Organisational standards

To maintain confidentiality and understand data protection - GDPR regulations

To maintain and compile detailed records to ensure accurate statistics can be created as required by the funders

To provide quality support to clients in the community, from an office, via telephone, Teams, Zoom or WhatsApp as directed by the service user

To ensure that safeguarding of clients is a key priority and take any necessary internal and external procedures and action

To form an active part of the Advocacy Team and Information and Advice Department and attend team meetings, individual meetings, external meetings, and supervisions

To actively promote the service, attending networking meetings and acting as the liaison to the Hope Project and any other active partnerships as requested

To carry out any additional duties as required by the Department Manager

To keep up to date with legislation and case law

To be prepared to undertake regular training as required

To be willing to travel and work flexibly throughout the charities operational area

To be prepared to work from any of our operational bases as required

Person Specifications

Education and Training

Level 4 Advocacy qualification or equivalent or a commitment to working towards a Qualification in Independent Professional Advocacy

Well-developed knowledge of IT, either through qualification or practical experience using databases, Outlook, and Microsoft Office.

Strong administrative and organisational skills, with relevant experience.

Full driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes

Skills and Aptitude

Experience of working with vulnerable people

An understanding of the needs of older people and their families

Good communication and interpersonal skills

Knowledge of data protection and GDPR requirements

Able to follow routine administration procedures accurately

Proven ability to work effectively as part of a team

Experience of assessing, managing and maintaining a caseload

Full IT literacy, including confident daily use of databases, Outlook, and Microsoft Office.

Willingness to work flexibly between the hours of 9 - 5pm Monday to Friday to meet the needs of the business (some occasional weekend work may be required)

Commitment to ongoing learning and willingness to undertake relevant training.

Desirable Criteria

Experience of working as an Independent Professional Advocate

Values

When we work with older people, each other, and our stakeholders, we are expected to: Work together to get things done and achieve more

Work together to get things done and achieve more

We treat our clients, colleagues and stakeholders with friendliness, respect, dignity and empathy

We act professionally, openly and honestly

We embrace diversity and are inclusive to all

We are open and honest

We treat our clients and colleagues with care

We are friendly and treat people as individuals

Please provide a cover letter with your CV

To apply for this role, please go to the Age Cymru Gwent website:

https://agecymrugwent.jobs.people-first.com/jobs/search

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: 12.26 per hour

Expected hours: 31 per week

Benefits:

Company pension Flexitime
Work Location: In person