Volunteer Independent Advocate. Information Pack

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1 Volunteer Independent Advocate Information Pack

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3 Dear Applicants Thank you for expressing an interest in working for us. People First Independent Advocacy has been supporting people in Cumbria for over 25 years. We now provide a wide range of support and information services aimed at helping people to live informed, respected, healthy and fulfilled lives. Our organisation is user-led meaning that our customers are at the heart of all decision making. People First is a person centered organisation, we care deeply about the rights of each and every customer that we support We have teams of staff based in Carlisle, Barrow and Workington, working from our Best Life Buildings. We hold a number of statutory contracts with Cumbria County Council to deliver: Care Act Advocacy; Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy; NHS Complaints Advocacy; and Healthwatch Cumbria. On top of this we run projects funded by Children in Need, Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group, NHS England as well as having projects which help us generate our own income. Please visit our website for more information and take time to learn about our history, our projects and our values. We are currently in very exciting times, we have a number of new projects and opportunities which mean that we will be able to support even more people. Please read the attached job description carefully before downloading our application form and ing it to barry@peoplefirstcumbria.co.uk Good Luck David Blacklock Chief Executive People First Independent Advocacy

4 Role Description Job title: Responsible to: Based at: Volunteer Independent Advocate Advocacy Manager and Volunteer Coordinator Carlisle/Workington/Barrow Overall Aim of the post: Advocacy is an amazing tool which empowers people, whom for whatever reason, can find themselves feeling vulnerable at any time in their lives. You will work on our independent advocacy project which supports people from all over Cumbria on a wide range of issues including; accessing information and services, supporting people through the child protection process, immigration and housing. You will work alongside people to support them to feel confident to speak up for themselves, have their rights and choices respected and be listened to. Main Duties and Responsibilities: To provide an independent and confidential service To meet with people to learn about their experiences and the outcome they want to achieve To explain information and complaints processes To support people understand their rights and options to help them make informed choices without sharing your personal opinion. To help people prepare for meetings and attend with them to support them to feel confident, tell people what they want and to be listened to To write letters on their behalf To represent the person s views accurately To liaise, communicate and negotiate effectively with a range of people, health and social care personnel and managers, and family members.

5 To manage an active caseload ensuring timely, prioritised and responsive interventions To follow People First policies and procedures including risk assessing, lone working, confidentiality, whistleblowing, conflict of interest, recording and monitoring. To record accurate and appropriate data on our advocacy database in line with People First policies and procedures and the Data Protection Act To ensure all enquiries are dealt with in a timely and courteous fashion within contractual obligations or agreed timescales To keep knowledge of local services up to date to ensure effective and timely signposting To engage in training and supervision Carry out any other duties that are reasonable including general office duties and supporting other People First activities which are not directly linked with main job role. Because of the developing nature of our organisation at present, and the alteration to the way in which advocacy is being delivered across Cumbria, we require team members to remain highly flexible in their approach, and to work to meet the changing needs of the projects. This post is subject to a DBS/POVA check

6 General Attributes Knowledge and Skills Essential Desirable An empathic, nonjudgemental approach Passion for diversity, equality and belonging Excellent interpersonal skills Team player, able to ask for and give support to colleagues. Positive attitude to a fast paced working environment where tasks and systems need to be developed and updated on a regular and ongoing basis. Creative, flexible and enthusiastic approach. Reliable Ability to listen to, engage and communicate with people from diverse backgrounds, both face to face and over the telephone. Ability to display empathy in a range of situations and deal effectively with conflict situations. Good level of general office and IT skills. Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage a complex workload and to prioritise effectively. Ability to use supervision and peer support. Willingness to undertake training Qualification and other training as identified. Knowledge of local area and service provision Experience of advocating for others A high standard of written and verbal skills including the ability to write letters and reports. Ability to drive, and full use of a private vehicle for work purposes (for which mileage will be paid)

7 QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Good all round level of education. An understanding of the needs and issues faced by people accessing health and social care services. DBS Check Independent Advocacy Qualification (or be prepared to work towards) Recent experience in a paid or voluntary capacity involving face to face advocacy or health/social care provision. Experience of working effectively in an inter-agency context, and with a wide range of stakeholders Experience of supporting people through health or social care services. Knowledge of Health and Social Care Services. An understanding of human rights, safeguarding and mental health. Knowledge of NHS Complaints regulations and procedures