Advocate

NFP People; Leeds; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a vibrant grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of Gypsies and Travellers in Leeds. As an Advocate, you'll play a crucial role in addressing inequalities in health, education, and housing. This position involves outreach work, supporting community members with advocacy needs, and collaborating with local partners. You'll be part of a creative and innovative team that prioritizes empathy and relationship-building, ensuring that the voices of marginalized communities are heard. If you're passionate about making a difference and have the skills to navigate challenging situations, this role is for you.

Benefits

Workplace wellbeing support

Flexible working

Family-friendly policies

Free parking

Qualifications

• Experience working with excluded groups and vulnerable individuals.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation related to housing and welfare.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regular outreach across Leeds to support Gypsies and Travellers.
• Provide advocacy support in welfare rights, benefits, and housing.

Skills

Empathy

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving skills

Knowledge of advocacy principles

Experience with vulnerable people

Understanding of safeguarding framework

Monitoring and evaluation

Risk management

Job description

Position: Advocate

Location: Cross Green, Leeds (this will also include delivering outreach across Leeds)

Hours: 35 hours per week

Salary: Grade 4 SCP 11 - £24,829 - £26,875 (with a pay award pending of minimum 7% in May 25)

Contract: 5-year contract

Benefits: The provision of workplace wellbeing support and activities, hybrid working where the role allows, flexible working and a range of family friendly policies and free parking.

Closing Date: Wednesday 16th April 2025 at 5pm

Interview Date: Wednesday 30th April 2025 (or Thursday 1st May if high number of applications)

The Role

The overall aim is to improve the quality of life for Gypsies and Travellers through addressing inequalities in homes, health, education, and employment, financial and social inclusion. There are also a number of community facing and strategic projects to achieve these aims including advocacy, community development and youth work.

This role and project represent the first step in working with Gypsies and Travellers in Leeds. The advocate will focus on carrying out regular outreach across Leeds, along with working with local partners, services and third sector projects to support the health and social outcomes of Gypsies and Travellers in the Leeds area. Outreach will cover roadside camps, local authority sites, private yards and people in homes.

You will also support members through 121 appointments in the office, on outreach and in peoples homes, to holistically support the community with a wide range of Advocacy needs including welfare rights, benefits, housing and education to name but a few. You will be helping members to develop the necessary skills to self-advocate through providing information, signposting and support.

About You

With empathy and interpersonal and relationship building skills, you will have excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work in stressful situations.

You will have knowledge and experience of:

1. Working with groups or individuals experiencing exclusion and the barriers they face when accessing services
2. Working with vulnerable people
3. Working within a safeguarding framework – making decisions and sharing information
4. Advocacy principles and practice
5. Relevant legislation and rights, for example in relation to housing, welfare, family, health and equalities
6. Monitoring and evaluation
7. Risk management and associated processes

Please note: CVs will not be accepted for this role, you will be redirected through to the charity’s website where you will need to complete their application form.

About the Organisation

You will be joining a vibrant and brave grassroots organisation led by Gypsy and Traveller people in West Yorkshire. This is an established and award-winning civil society organisation with a national profile. Recognised as being innovative, brave and creative. The overall aim of the charity is to improve the quality of life for Gypsies and Travellers through addressing inequalities in homes, health, education, and employment, financial and social inclusion. There are a number of community-facing and strategic projects to achieve aims including advocacy, community development and youth work.