Job Description

Job Title:

Parental Advocate Practitioner & SMART Family & Friends Development Worker

Location:

Plymouth (Community-based & Hamoaze House)

Hours:

Flexible - full-time or part-time considered (approx. 30-37.5 hours per week; some evening or weekend work may be required)

Contract Type:

Fixed term - 12 months (with potential extension subject to funding)

Salary:

12.21 per hour (full-time equivalent approximately 23,810 per annum, depending on agreed hours)

Reports to:

Families, Young People & Safeguarding Manager

Start Date:

To be confirmed

Overview

Hamoaze House is committed to delivering

child-first, family-centred, trauma-informed services

that help parents and carers build stronger relationships, overcome barriers, and improve outcomes for children and young people.

This role combines two complementary areas of work:

Parental Advocacy & Mediation (Core Role)

- Supporting parents and carers whose circumstances may affect their child's education or engagement with services, providing advocacy, mediation, and strengths-based support.

SMART Family & Friends Development (Project Strand)

- Developing two new SMART Family & Friends peer support groups in Plymouth, offering safe and supportive spaces for people affected by someone else's substance use or addictive behaviour.
Together, these strands form a

holistic, community-based approach to family support

.

Key Responsibilities

Parental Advocacy & Support

Build trusting, respectful relationships with parents/carers using a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach (e.g.,

PACE - Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy

). Provide advocacy to ensure parents/carers' voices are heard by schools and services. Support families in navigating education, SEND, health, housing, and social care systems. Mediate between families and schools or other services to strengthen engagement and improve children's school experience. Promote inclusion and recognise the impact of poverty and protected characteristics on family life. Maintain vigilance around child and adult safeguarding, following Hamoaze House policy and escalating concerns appropriately.

SMART Family & Friends Development

Identify and secure suitable community venues for two weekly SMART Family & Friends groups. Promote the groups locally and encourage participation from families and the wider community. Mentor and support volunteer facilitators, particularly those with lived experience, to ensure sustainability of the groups. Work collaboratively with SMART Recovery UK to maintain fidelity to the model.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning

Record engagement, attendance, and outcomes for all aspects of the role. Gather feedback from families, participants, and volunteers to inform ongoing service improvement. Contribute to quarterly and annual evaluation reports for Hamoaze House and funders.

Person Specification

Essential:

Experience (lived or professional) supporting families, carers, children, or young people. Strong communication, interpersonal, and advocacy skills. Understanding of safeguarding and ability to apply policies in practice. Ability to work relationally, flexibly, and collaboratively across agencies. Knowledge of trauma-informed and inclusive practice (including SEND, poverty, and protected characteristics). Self-motivated, organised, and confident working independently and in community settings.

Desirable (or supported to develop):

Knowledge of SMART Recovery or group facilitation. Experience in community development, mediation, or mentoring volunteers. Familiarity with Plymouth's education and family support systems. Level 3 Safeguarding (children and adults) Equality & Diversity, Confidentiality, and Data Protection SMART Recovery Facilitator and SMART Recovery Family & Friends
Training will be provided where not already held.

Additional Information

Flexible working hours, with some evening/weekend work. Travel expenses reimbursed; regular supervision and support provided. Enhanced DBS required (paid for by the employer).
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: 12.21 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 37.5 per week

Benefits:

Bereavement leave Casual dress Company pension Discounted or free food Flexitime On-site parking Sick pay Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Plymouth PL1 4JQ