Learning Disability Groups Advocate

Get Staffed Online Recruitment Limited; Sutton; Hybrid; GBP 11,000; Part time

Job summary

A local advocacy organization is seeking a Learning Disability Groups Advocate to support adults with learning disabilities and mental health difficulties. The role involves facilitating groups and managing individual cases to empower individuals in their mental health journey. Ideal candidates will have experience in advocacy and supporting diverse needs. Competitive salary and flexible working arrangements offered.

Qualifications

• At least 1 year’s experience with learning disabled adults in a professional context.
• Experience supporting individuals with mental health issues.
• Awareness of adult safeguarding and reasonable adjustments.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate in-person and online groups in Sutton.
• Manage a caseload of individuals requiring support.
• Empower individuals to advocate for their needs.

Skills

Working with learning disabled adults

Supporting mental health difficulties

Excellent communication

Managing a caseload

Networking and liaising

Education

Good standard of education to at least NVQ Level 3/A-level

Formal advocacy-related qualification

Learning disability-related qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint)

Job description

Learning Disability Groups Advocate

Reporting to: Groups Manager

Hours: 14 hours per week

Office-Base: Sutton / Homeworking

Salary: £10,825 per annum

Summary

This is a pilot project supporting adults with learning disabilities who have mental health difficulties. The aim is to offer support through 1‑1 advocacy and small group work, enabling people to address mental health issues at an early stage before they get into crisis.

This role will be based within the self‑advocacy team, enabling small groups to learn coping strategies and wellbeing exercises and gain a stronger support system. The groups Advocate will work alongside the 1‑1 Advocate, so people can progress from 1‑1 advocacy into group support.

About Our Client

Our client is a locally rooted advocacy organisation with a strong history, which exists to give people a voice through one‑to‑one advocacy and self‑advocacy groups. They believe that Bigger Voices = Better Lives.

Their approach is person‑centred, empowering and rights focussed. They place a strong value on supporting people to be as independent as possible. They believe that being fair, valuing diversity and involving people are extremely important.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• To facilitate in‑person and online groups in the Sutton borough.
• To facilitate a fortnightly wellbeing drop‑in.
• To work alongside the 1‑1 Advocate and wider self‑advocacy team.
• To use own initiative to make links with local and regional organisations, in order to promote the project and membership of our client's self‑advocacy groups.
• To ensure that all discussions and meetings concerning the client are focussed on their needs and aspirations. To involve members in discussions about their support in meaningful and appropriate ways.
• To communicate in such a way that the individual has a clear understanding of their rights and responsibilities and are aware of what support is right for them.
• To work with each person / group identified who requires support to meet his or her individual needs. Support all individuals in a way that promotes dignity and respect.
• To empower individuals to challenge situations where they are not being offered adequate support, in order to foster independence and self‑management in their ongoing mental health journey.
• To support the ongoing development of the projects, as an experienced member of the team.
• To have an overview of the self‑advocacy projects in the borough.

Person Specification

Education and Training

Essential:

• A good standard of education to at least NVQ Level 3/A‑level, or equivalent.
• A willingness to undertake training and continuing development.

Desirable:

• Formal advocacy‑related qualification or training.
• Learning disability‑related qualification or training.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

• At least 1 year’s experience of working with learning disabled adults in a professional context.
• Experience of supporting people with mental health difficulties.
• An awareness of the needs of people with learning disabilities and autism, including what reasonable adjustments might need to be made in the workplace.
• An awareness of adult safeguarding.
• Experience of working in a busy office environment.
• Experience of home/lone working.
• Experience of developing and maintaining effective administrative systems.

Desirable:

• Experience of advocacy in a professional context.
• Experience of using outcomes frameworks to measure progress.Experience of creating promotional material.

Ability

Essential:

• To independently manage a caseload – working with learning disabled adults using self‑advocacy in order to identify and to make changes, which will support their overall mental health and wellbeing.
• To recognise the importance of professional boundaries and clear guidance.
• To multi‑task, manage own workload and meet deadlines in a busy environment where lone working might be required.
• To use Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, Publisher, and PowerPoint.
• To network and liaise with professionals, external organisations, and members of the public.
• To work productively as part of a team and under own initiative in a lone‑working role.
• To work flexibly and outside of office hours, as required.
• To travel freely across the Sutton borough, preferably with a full, clean UK driving licence and access to own vehicle.

Desirable:

• To maintain and manage social media sites of various natures.
• To produce newsletters, e‑bulletins and other publicity materials to a high standard.

Communication

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• An ability to respond to enquiries in a professional and appropriate manner.
• Able to keep calm under pressure and prioritise accordingly.
• Familiarity with Zoom and online facilitation.
• An awareness of person‑centred working.