Community Advocate - Flexible Home Working for Impact

HF Mencap; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave: 25 days plus 1

Bank holidays

Employee Benefits by Sodexo

24/7 GP access

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Flexible working arrangements

Ongoing training and development

Sick Pay as per policy

Job summary

HF Mencap is seeking a committed and values-driven Community Advocate to support adults across the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. The role is fixed-term for 1 year, 36 hours per week, with a compressed pattern possible and flexible home working by agreement.

You will empower people to have a stronger voice, be heard and participate in decisions affecting their lives, collaborating with professionals and partner organisations to remove barriers and improve outcomes.

Qualifications

• Level 4 Independent Advocacy Practice qualification, or willingness to undertake and complete the qualification within an agreed timeframe as a requirement of the role.
• Knowledge and understanding of good advocacy practice.
• Ability to form positive, professional working relationships with a wide range of clients.
• Ability to work effectively with people with a range of communication and support needs.
• Ability to manage a complex caseload across a wide range of issues.
• Ability to research options and support clients to make informed choices.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with clients, professionals and partner organisations.
• Ability to manage risk to self and others.
• Strong planning and organisational skills.
• Good IT skills and the ability to maintain accurate electronic records.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• A flexible and positive approach to work.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one advocacy support to adults living in Hammersmith & Fulham with disabilities, mental health conditions and complex health needs, based on individual need.
• Enable people to have greater choice and control over their lives.
• Encourage self-advocacy by supporting people to make informed choices and, wherever possible, to speak for themselves.
• Support individuals to understand their rights, options and choices and to challenge services and decisions where necessary.
• Meet and support clients in a range of settings, including at the HF Mencap office, in clients' homes and in community settings, and accompany clients to appointments and meetings where advocacy support is required.
• Work collaboratively with social services, Libra Partnership and other relevant agencies and professionals to remove barriers and increase opportunities.
• Promote equality and inclusion and challenge discriminatory behaviour.
• Manage an advocacy caseload of up to 21 people at any one time, ensuring cases are progressed and closed within appropriate timeframes.
• Support individuals to access communication support where needed, for example Speech and Language Therapy, and use accessible communication approaches including signs, symbols, photos and multimedia.
• Provide information in accessible formats to help people understand their rights, options and choices.
• Attend relevant meetings and forums, supporting individuals and raising awareness of key issues where appropriate.
• Support people to access opportunities through Individual Budgets and Self-Directed Support.
• Support people to access adapted housing, healthy lifestyles and community activities, recognising carers' needs where appropriate.
• Participate in campaigns facilitated by HF Mencap to improve resources, raise awareness and strengthen community inclusion.
• Link with London and national networks, including National Mencap, and share resources and good practice.
• Maintain accurate and timely case records using agreed case-management systems and contribute to monitoring and reporting requirements.
• Attend supervision regularly and participate in appraisal processes.
• Attend relevant training, events and consultations, including those organised by the Local Authority where required.
• Carry out the role in line with HF Mencap's policies, procedures and service standards.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the role as reasonably required.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, following HF Mencap's safeguarding policies and procedures.

Job description

HF Mencap is seeking a committed and values-driven Community Advocate to support adults across the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. The role is fixed-term for 1 year, 36 hours per week, with a compressed pattern possible and flexible home working by agreement.

You will empower people to have a stronger voice, be heard and participate in decisions affecting their lives, collaborating with professionals and partner organisations to remove barriers and improve outcomes.