Job Description

DAD (Centre for Independent Living) is seeking to recruit an Advocate / Trainee Advocate who is passionate about advocacy, supporting people to have their voice heard and upholding and safeguarding the rights of people we support.

A full application pack is available here:

ww.darlingtondisability.org/about/vacancies

The advocate would be part of a motivated, dedicated and proactive team of advocates who provide high quality advocacy across the North East.

We are particularly seeking applicants who live in the Redcar, Stockton and Middlesbrough area, however the role will include work across the North East and therefore a car driver or access to own transport is essential.

The post would be suitable for either qualified or unqualified advocates however you will be expected to work towards your qualifications

The role will involve supporting people to speak up for themselves, to be fully involved in the decisions and processes that affect their lives, to obtain information and to understand their options and rights. It will also involve supporting people who are unable to instruct an advocate.

The training would provide an incredible opportunity for the right candidate and would include fully funded training to achieve a level 4 diploma National Advocacy Qualification and completed within agreed timescales, some home study is expected. It would involve the applicant being self motivated to learn new skills and knowledge.

All candidates must show they value equality, empowerment and supporting people to have their voice heard when decisions are being made about their lives, applicants must have amazing communication and listening skills and able to adapt their communication to meet the needs of people we support. In addition all applicants must have the skills to research and understand often new and complex information including legal information. If you you have the right experience, skills, values, drive and enthusiasm needed for this role, in turn DAD will provide a positive and supportive team environment, with excellent support, conditions and progression.

Salary:

25,116 to 28743 per annum (37.5hrs) depending on skills and experience

Please note:

The higher pay scales will be awarded only to successful applicants who are in possession of a Diploma in advocacy and completed units in all areas of statutory advocacy and an experienced advocate. For other applicants the starting rate will be based on any existing advocacy experience and/or advocacy qualification already achieved.

Hours: 30 to 37.5 hours/week

Location:

Based at the offices of Darlington Association on Disability in Darlington alongside home (travel is expected across Tees Valley regularly, and in other areas of the North East at times). There will be mix of office and home working, after six months home working will increase. Advocates work in a variety of settings including in people's homes, hospitals and care home settings.

Holidays:

25 days per annum (pro rata if less than 37.5) plus Bank Holidays. Entitlement increases with length of service (after 3 years) up to a maximum of 30 days plus bank holidays.

Other:

Employee Assistant programme, Free GP Helpline, Company Pension, A competitive sick scheme is available after the necessary qualifying period.

You will be trained to provide a range of types of advocacy support (subject to current training), including:

Relevant Person's Representative, for people who are subject to a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 Independent Mental Health Advocacy, for people subject to the Mental Health Act 1983. Care Act Advocacy Independent Mental Capacity Act advocacy. General advocacy Specialist mental health advocacy Self advocacy facilitation
We reserve the right to close the vacancy when we are in receipt of sufficient applications.

Please note only successful applicants will be contacted for interview. Applicants successful at the interview stage would be required to have an Enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and other pre employment checks. By making an application you consent to us storing and processing your information for the purpose of recruitment in line with GDPR and undertaking necessary checks.

Key Tasks

Advocacy

To provide a response to requests for advocacy within specified time scales. To provide confidential one to one, high quality advocacy support. To complete an advocacy action plan in partnership with the person they are supporting. Use person centred approaches to ensure advocacy support is the highest quality possible. To signpost to appropriate specific legal advice and other appropriate services where necessary. To assist people to participate in their assessment and care planning and to represent their views and rights when necessary. To attend and support people at meetings and forums such as Community Care Assessments and reviews, Safeguarding Protection Meetings, meetings related to making a complaint, Mental Health Tribunals, Hospital Managers Hearings etc. To ensure that people using the service are able to make informed choices about their support. To ensure that people using the service are supported to assert their rights and to self-advocate whenever possible. To research and keep up to date, with new legislation, guidance and emerging good practice. Support all people to increase their ability to self advocate. To seek supervision, particularly when there is a gap in knowledge. Support people to explore their potential to the fullest, push boundaries and take risks to maintain or regain increased control and independence over their daily lives. To work within the Advocacy Charter and Code of Practice for Advocates To work within and comply with the contractual remit of the service, all DAD policies, the code of practice, code of conduct and company rules.

Important Note:

All advocates are expected to have obtained or be willing to obtain, the necessary national Advocacy Qualifications to deliver all types of advocacy within this job description.

Where an advocate is not in possession of such qualifications, the advocate must be willing to undertake the necessary qualifications within an agreed timescale. DAD will endeavour to pay for the direct cost of such qualification, but the advocate will be expected to undertake study and portfolio building in their own time outside of working hours. Successful candidates when accepting the post, must do so on this understanding

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATION

Previous training in Safe guarding Adults and Safe guarding children. Previous training in equality and diversity Previous training in the Mental Capacity Act

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATION

Qualification in social care ( including the legal framework) Certificate or Diploma in Independent Advocacy. Some all of the units required to deliver IMHA, IMCA, Care Act Advocacy. Training in non-Instructed Advocacy Training in Confidentiality and Data Protection

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE

Experience supporting disabled people and carers to achieve outcomes. Experience in positively contributing to effective team working. Experience in working on their own initiative. Experience of supporting disabled people and / or carers to participate in decision that affect their lives. Experience of supporting people to increase their self advocacy skills. Experience of maintaining confidentiality. Experience of prioritising and managing conflicting priorities.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

Experience of working as an advocate. Experience of working in the field of social care. Personal Experience as a disabled person or carer.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES

Excellent written and oral communication. Excellent active listening skills Ability to work in a highly person-centred way An ability to engage with individuals and support people to give their views and have their voice heard. Ability to challenge decisions Ability to uphold the rights of people supported. Effective planning and organisational skills Information technology skills, using Micro Soft Word and email. Effective time management Proficient in presentation skills and participating in multi-agency meetings. Ability to work under pressure and prioritise work. Ability to assert the rights of the person you are working on behalf of. Ability to increase the ability of the person you are supporting to self-advocate. Access to car to undertake journeys both within Darlington, Tees Valley and Regionally Ability to undertake research into issues and good practice. Ability to readily embed emerging practice into work. Ability to be responsible for professional development, including undertaking and completing qualifications within agreed timescales. Ability to identify when additional supervision is needed around a specific issue.

DESIRABLE SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

Ability to demonstrate a positive approach to problem solving.

ESSENTIAL VALUES & ATTITUDES

A demonstrated commitment to the principles of empowerment. Commitment to equality and human rights. A commitment to giving everyone the right to be fully involved in the decisions surrounding their lives. Commitment to supporting people to self advocate. A commitment to the social model of disability. A firm commitment to undertake accredited Independent Advocacy Qualification

DESIRABLE VALUES & ATTIBUTES

An understanding of the principles, types of, standards and benefits of independent advocacy.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE

Understanding of equalities issues An understanding of the issues/barriers affecting vulnerable individuals Understanding of the Mental Capacity Act. Understanding of The Care Act 2014 Excellent knowledge of the social model of disability

DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE

Excellent understanding of the legislative framework of health & social care. Understanding of statutory sector structures. A good working knowledge of the Care Act 2014, including assessment, eligibility and care and support planning.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 25,116.00-28,743.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Free parking Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking Sick pay
Education:

Certificate of Higher Education (preferred)
Experience:

mental capacity act: 1 year (preferred) advocacy: 1 year (preferred)
Licence/Certification:

Driving Licence (required) Advocacy certificate (preferred)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Darlington DL1 4WB