Support Advocate: 20 hours per week worked across 4 days

the advocacy people; Hastings; Hybrid; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Working

Pension Scheme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Employee discount scheme

Training & Development

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

The Advocacy People is seeking a part-time Support Advocate to join the contact centre in Hastings. The role involves handling calls, emails and referrals, with data entry and confidentiality at the core of the position.

You will work 20 hours across four days, with core hours 9am–5pm and potential to work from home after probation. You will need excellent communication skills, be comfortable with data input, and proficient with standard IT systems including Microsoft Office and SharePoint.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills; able to handle calls and emails professionally.
• Strong data entry speed and accuracy.
• Clear communicator capable of handling complex issues with confidentiality.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and SharePoint is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Be the first point of contact for all incoming communication in the team.
• Handle calls, respond to emails, triage referrals, and enter data into the database.
• Maintain confidentiality and work with vulnerable people.

Skills

Communication

Data entry

IT systems

Microsoft Office

SharePoint

Tools

Microsoft Office

SharePoint

Job description

About Us

Advocacy is a powerful force for change. It allows individuals to have their voices heard and respected when decisions are being made about their health and social care. It raises awareness of people's rights and entitlements and empowers people to advocate for themselves or speak up for them when they can't. The Advocacy People are an independent, Human Rights based charity and one of the UK's largest providers of advocacy, advocacy-related and Healthwatch services who make sure people are heard when it matters most. You can find out more about advocacy and what we do on our website here. We are looking for a Support Advocate to join our thriving Contact Centre. Our small and friendly team works at the heart of the organisation, managing communication from people and professionals and providing support to colleagues working with vulnerable people across the south of England. This role is permanent, working 20 hours per week across 4 days. The starting salary is £25,878 per annum pro rata. The core hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. The preferred work pattern would be 9am to 2pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

The role

Together with your colleagues in the team, you will be the first point of contact for all incoming communication for The Advocacy People. You will be responsible for handling calls, responding to emails, triaging incoming referrals and adding them to our database. This is a demanding role, and we need you to have a high standard of communication skills. The ability to input data quickly and accurately is essential, as is the ability to remain calm and composed under pressure while also maintaining people confidentiality. The successful candidate will need to be competent in using standard IT systems and various software. Experience with Microsoft Office and SharePoint is important to this role as well as the ability and confidence in learning new digital tools quickly. The role is predominantly office-based but with the opportunity to work from home at times following completion of the probationary period.

What we need from you

As a friendly, helpful individual, we know you'll go the extra mile to ensure people contacting our organisation are always happy with the service provided. You will need to be a strong team player who is flexible and willing to learn new processes. You must also be a clear communicator who can remain calm in stressful situations and deal with very complex issues in a dignified and sensitive manner.

What happens next

All invited applicants will need to provide evidence (photographic, where possible) of their right to work in the UK at their interview. New employee start dates will only be confirmed once relevant checks have been completed and satisfactory references received. This position is subject to a standard DBS and Eligibility to Work checks.

Closing Date

9am Monday 28th September 2026

Interview Tbc

Interview venue: Rock House, 49 - 51 Cambridge Road, Hastings TN34 1DT

If you would like to discuss the role further, please get in touch with Steve Goodall or Sharon Dewis at [e-mail] or Tel: [phone]

The Company

The Advocacy People and Healthwatch share core values which are all about people's voices: empowering people to speak up; amplifying service user voices; enabling people to take part in, and influence, decision-making about health and social care; and providing information which helps people make informed decisions. As an independent charity grounded in Human Rights principles, we take pride in being one of the UK's foremost providers of advocacy and Healthwatch services. We're on a mission to make sure that when it truly matters, everyone's voice counts. Together, we support those who often feel sidelined, helping them shape decisions that affect their lives and communities. Come and be a part of our welcoming community, where your voice matters and your contributions make a real difference.

EDI

By embracing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, we can build a stronger, more resilient organisation and work together to create a more just and equitable society. We invite all members of our community to join us in this important journey toward positive change.

Registered charity no.: 1080679.

NB: The Advocacy People reserves the right to bring forward the closing date if it believes sufficient applications are received to make an appointment.

The Benefits

• Flexible Working
• Pension Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• employee discount scheme
• Training & Development
• Employee assistance programme