Independent Advocate - BSL Level 6

strukta Group Ltd; Birmingham; Remote; GBP 14,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading organization is seeking a part-time Independent Advocate in Birmingham to provide vital advocacy support to Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. The role requires a minimum of BSL Level 6 and includes working with vulnerable adults in various settings, offering a flexible, home-based working arrangement across the area.

Benefits

25 days annual leave + Bank holidays

Discretionary shutdown days at Christmas

Cash Wellbeing Healthcare Plan

Bike to work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience working with Deaf people and providing BSL communication support.
• Ability to provide advocacy support to vulnerable adults.
• Experience in health, social care, or voluntary sector.

Responsibilities

• Provide advocacy support to vulnerable adults facing health and social care challenges.
• Deliver verbal and written representations on behalf of clients.
• Collaborate with public and voluntary organisations to address client issues.

Skills

Communication

Time Management

Education

BSL Level 6

City and Guilds Level 4 Independent Advocacy Practice Qualification

City and Guilds Level 3 National Advocacy Qualification

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Are you qualified for BSL Level 6? Do you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment? Are you ready to take on a role that impacts your community? An exciting opportunity has arisen for a part time Independent Advocate to join our Birmingham team. This role covers statutory advocacy services including Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy, Independent Mental Health Advocacy and Care Act Advocacy. The post will be home based working across Birmingham including providing advocacy support for the Deaf and hard of hearing people in care homes and on hospital wards in our area.

As an Independent Advocate, you will provide crucial support to vulnerable adults facing significant health and social care challenges. Your role involves delivering persuasive verbal and written representations on behalf of clients, collaborating with public and voluntary organisations, and taking directed actions to address client issues. This role demands flexibility, excellent communication, and the ability to handle sensitive information confidently.

You will need to have experience of working with Deaf people and providing BSL communication support. Due to this specific element of this role, a minimum proficiency of level 6 British Sign Language (BSL) is required.

Hours of Work:Part Time: 22.2 hours, 3 days per week working between Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm

Location:Home based with travel across Birmingham and the surrounding area (Applicants must live within the area or within reasonable distance to the area)

Salary:Part time Starting Salary £14,545.44 (Full time equivalent £24,242.40) per annum

Contract Type: Permanent

• Strong communication and time management skills to successfully work remotely.
• Excellent IT skills, including the use of Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel, and the ability to learn software packages such as client management databases.
• Attention to detail to ensure accurate recording of records and reporting to meet tight deadlines.
• Previous experience in advocacy, information and advice, or a similar role within health, social care, or the voluntary sector.
• Demonstrable experience working with vulnerable adults in the Community and also within secure Mental Health settings.
• Working knowledge of public and voluntary organisations.
• 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!
• Death in service cover.
• Bike to work scheme.

Meet the Organisation: Who We Are and What We Do

At POhWER, we are committed to empowering individuals and enabling their voices to be heard. We provide advocacy and information services to support people in making effective decisions about their health and social care. Our team is dedicated to listening, exploring options, and taking action to meet our clients' best interests.

We provide a full induction, training and equipment including a laptop and mobile phone.It is a contractual requirement that all advocates hold or are working towards an advocacy qualification.The most recognized qualification is the City and Guilds Level 4 Independent Advocacy Practice Qualification (IAP) for practicing advocates, previously completed City and Guilds Level 3 National Advocacy Qualification (NAQ).If you do not already hold an NAQ certificate or diploma or IAP qualification or equivalent, the expectation will be that you will gain the City and Guilds IAP qualification following successful completion of probation and pre-enrolment process. POhWER will fully sponsor this and provide a reasonable amount of study time and in return expect advocates to manage their time and complete within 12 months of registration.

Think you are the perfect fit for this Independent Advocate role? Don't wait! Apply Now with your CV and Cover letter!

Closing Date: 9AM, Wednesday 2 nd July 2025 (We reserve the right to close this vacancy early)

Interview Date: TBC

For an informal discussion 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 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.

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 member of the Disability confidence scheme, and disabled applicants who meet all the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.

Job Overview

Job Title

Employment Type

Permanent

Not for profit and Charities, Social services