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:
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: £12.26 per hour
Expected hours: 31 per week
Benefits:
* Company pension
* Flexitime
Work Location: In person