Independent Parent Advocate

NYAS; Lewisham; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 19,000; Part time

Job summary

NYAS is seeking an Independent Professional Parent Advocate to provide confidential advocacy to parents whose children are in social care, including those on a child protection plan, in Lewisham. The role is fixed term until 31 March 2027 and requires someone who can stand with parents, help them understand their rights, and participate meaningfully in meetings.

The post operates at 17.5 hours per week and involves building trusting relationships, navigating education, housing, health services,

Qualifications

• Experience in advocacy or working with parents, families, social care or related services would be beneficial.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work independently with boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Provide independent and confidential advocacy to parents whose children are in social care services, including those on child protection plans.
• Empower parents to understand their rights and options, express their views, and participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their family.
• Build trusting relationships, navigate complex systems (social care, education, health, housing), and support parents to engage with professionals and services involved.

Job description

The role (This is a fixed term contract position until 31st March 2027)

Following the promotion of our current post holder, we have an exciting opportunity for an Independent Professional Parent Advocate, working 17.5 hours per week to join our established Parent Advocacy service in Lewisham.

As an Independent Professional Parent Advocate, you will provide independent and confidential advocacy to parents whose children are receiving support from social care services, including parents of children who are subject to a child protection plan.

A key part of this role is empowering parents to have a voice in the decisions that affect them and their family. You will help parents understand their rights and options, express their views and wishes, and participate meaningfully in decisions about their family.

Working independently and led by the parent, you will build trusting relationships and support them to navigate what can often be complex and challenging situations. You will ensure their voice is heard, help them to make informed choices and support them to engage confidently with the professionals and services involved in their family's lives.

Rather than making decisions or judgements on a parent's behalf, you will stand alongside them, providing independent information and advocacy while helping them to build the confidence and skills to advocate for themselves wherever possible.

You will support parents to:

• Navigate systems and services, including social care, education, health and housing.
• Engage effectively with professionals when their child is receiving support from social care services.
• Prepare for and participate meaningfully in meetings.
• Express their views, wishes and feelings and ensure these are heard.
• Understand their rights and entitlements through clear and accessible information.
• Understand professional reports, letters and other correspondence.
• Make informed choices about matters affecting them and their family.
• Develop the confidence and skills to advocate for themselves.
• Access appropriate services and other sources of support.
• Understand and use complaints procedures where appropriate.

About you

We are looking for someone who shares our commitment to upholding rights and helping parents have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their family.

You will be able to build positive and professional relationships with parents who may be experiencing challenging or difficult circumstances, while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and the independence of the advocacy role.

You will be a confident and effective communicator, with the ability to work constructively with a range of professionals and organisations. You will also be able to communicate complex information in a way that is clear, accessible and appropriate to the individual you are supporting.

Experience of advocacy or working with parents, families, social care or other relevant services would be beneficial.

We recognise that you may not meet every aspect of the role when you apply. We would still encourage you to apply if you have relevant skills and experience and share our commitment to advocacy. Full training will be provided, and you will be supported by NYAS to obtain an Advocacy qualification.

Please note you will need to live inor within the close surrounding area of Lewishamin order to fulfil the requirements of the role.

Safeguarding and Compliance

NYAS operates robust safe procedures to ensure the protection of the children, young people and adults at risk we work with. To comply with NYAS's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy internal candidates will be subject to references.

In accordance with UK immigration law, NYAS is required to ensure that all prospective candidates have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom. Therefore, proof of eligibility to work in the UK will be required as part of the recruitment process.

About NYAS

As an established leading rights-based charity, NYAS (National Youth Advocacy Service) is well positioned to ensure that children, young people, and adults across England and Wales are fully respected, represented, and supported in expressing their views and having their rights upheld.

We work with care-experienced children, young people, and adults who are often reliant on statutory services suffering the negative impact of the cuts in public expenditure. Our combination of social care and legal services places us in a unique position to ensure that they receive the services they need and that their voices are heard.

We are an equal opportunities employerand we are committed to creating an inclusive environment which means NYAS welcomes applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or belief, or any other protected characteristic.

NYAS is proud to share that we are a Disability Confident Employer and we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies.

Work with us to help change young lives.