Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? Do you thrive on engaging with diverse groups and driving positive change? Are you ready for an adventure in advocacy? We are currently looking for a User Voice Community Development Worker to join our dynamic and passionate team in
Hertfordshire. Immerse yourself in a role that makes a real difference!
As a User Voice Community Development Worker, you will primarily be office. You'll be providing a regular range of innovative and creative activities that will improve confidence and empower people with a learning disability to get involved with Speaking up or Self-Advocacy' opportunities in the East of the County. You'll also run community engagement sessions/events/outreach in each district that will feed into the Learning Disability Co-production Board. Additionally, you will be creating activity schedules offering a range of varied activities to maximise uptake and running four quarterly engagement sessions held in each district per year (25 in total) with unique individuals attending being reported on.
In addition to working as a User Voice Community Development Worker, you will also split your role to work as an Independent Advocate, providing crucial support to vulnerable adults facing significant health and social care challenges. We are seeking a passionate and skilled Independent Advocate to join our team. This role focuses on providing advocacy for individuals under the Mental Capacity Act (MCA), the Mental Health Act (MHA), and supporting NHS complaints and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), Care Act processes.
Your role will involve delivering persuasive verbal and written representations on behalf of clients, collaborating with public and voluntary organisations, and taking focused actions to address client issues. This role demands flexibility, excellent communication, and the ability to handle sensitive information confidently.
Pohwer is dedicated to promoting the rights and well-being of individuals in care settings, hospitals and the community. We are seeking a passionate and skilled Independent Advocate to join our team. This role focuses on providing advocacy for individuals under the Mental Capacity Act (MCA), the Mental Health Act (MHA), and supporting NHS complaints and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) processes.
Hours of Work:
Full-time: 37 hours per week, between Monday to Friday, 9 am
5 pm (This role will be split into 3 days User Voice Community Development & 2 days as an independent advocate.)
Location:
Home based with travel around the county. (Applicants have a full driver's licence and access to their own transport
)
Salary:
Total salary £24,755.76 Per Annum split between the 2 positions as follows:
User Voice Community Development Worker £15,058.80 (Full Time Equivalent Salary - £25098.00 per annum)
Independent advocate £9696.96 (Full Time Equivalent Salary - £24,242.40 per annum)
Contract Type:
Fixed term 3 years
User Voice Development Worker/Independent Advocate Requirements: Proven experience of working with people with learning disabilities, mental health, dementia etc. Experience community engagement including running events. Strong networking skills with the ability to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. Excellent communications skills, able to communicate sensitively and empathetically. Experience providing written reports to a high standard. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust with people A Good understanding and experience with IT software packages. Full UK driving licence and access to your own transport, with geographical knowledge of the local area.
Benefits: 25 days annual leave + Bank holiday (Rising to 30 days after 5 years' service) with the option to buy or sell up to 5 days leave + your birthday off as an additional holiday day after 1 years' service! Discretionary shutdown days at Christmas with up to 4 additional days leave. 1 Community Leave Day per annum. Cash Wellbeing Healthcare Plan which covers Optical/dental/alternative therapy and more! Auto enrolment Pension plan Death in service cover. Bike to work scheme.
Meet the Organisation: Who We Are and What We Do POhWER stands for People and Organisations Working in Equal Rights. We are dedicated to empowering and supporting adults with multiple vulnerabilities, promoting their rights to have a voice and exercise choice in the services they receive. With a strong presence in communities across the UK, our team is committed to providing high-quality advocacy services that make a lasting impact. We are dedicated to promoting the rights and well-being of individuals in care settings and the community
If you think you are suitable for this Community Development Worker/Independent advocate role, don't wait,
apply now! Take the first step to joining an organisation that values your passion and skills and make a genuine difference in your community.
Closing Date:
9AM, Wednesday 16th July 2025
(We reserve the right to close this vacancy early)
Interview Date:
TBC (Via Teams)
For an informal discussion or to receive a copy of the job description please contact 0300 456 2370 and ask for a call back from the Recruitment Manager.
An Enhanced DBS check and National Offender Management Service vetting will be conducted for this position.
We're proud to support our colleagues from the armed forces signing the Armed Forces Covenant in August 2024.
POhWER is an equal opportunities employer, holder of the Investors in People Silver award, and a member of the MINDFUL EMPLOYER scheme. We are a level 2 Disability confidence scheme employer, and disabled applicants who meet all the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.
POhWER is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities, and particularly welcome candidates from groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. Our goal is to foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute. This includes, but is not limited to, people with disabilities, women, men, Black, Asian and other racially minoritised people, LGBTQ+ who are currently under-represented in our workforce.
To help embed inclusion for all, from day one, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee networks to support people from different backgrounds.
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