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- Tasks: Support individuals in expressing their needs and rights while creating positive outcomes.
- Company: Join VoiceAbility, a leading charity advocating for those in need for over 40 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, remote work options, and a range of employee perks.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by empowering clients and ensuring their voices are heard.
- Qualifications: Experience in welfare, health, or social care is preferred; passion for advocacy is essential.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements with travel expenses covered; training provided for successful candidates.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Do you want to work with a leading advocacy charity organisation supporting those in need? Do you have experience of working or volunteering in welfare, support or health and social care and are looking for a new challenge? Are you keen to make a difference to people who want to be heard? Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility. We have an exciting opportunity for an Advocate to join our team working at Guild Lodge in Preston. We are seeking applicants who have transferable skills, a willingness to learn and a desire to help those in need of support. Please note that Guild Lodge is a secure mental health facility. Your role will require you to travel and be on site daily to visit clients; admin may be completed from home.
About us: VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations. We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most.
About you: Desirably you will have some experience of working as an Advocate, providing welfare, supporting, or caring for Adults or young people who have support needs, ideally for those with a variety of communication needs, mental ill health, physical health issues, or barriers to accessing education and support. You should have worked or volunteered in health, social care, welfare, support services, education or young person’s services, or advice and guidance.
How will you make a difference? You will be responsible for ensuring the individual’s wishes, feelings, beliefs, needs, and values are met to create positive outcomes for the people you support. You will support people to speak up for themselves and grow in confidence, equip them to understand and exercise their rights and options, and will assist them in the decision-making process relating to their care, treatment, and support. You will work resourcefully and collaboratively with the individuals you support. You’ll be creative in your approach to empower our clients by ensuring you meaningfully explain people’s options and rights to them. You’ll support individuals to fully participate in decisions affecting them and will make sure they have their voices heard.
Benefits:
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time colleagues) rising to 30 days upon 5 years’ service
- 5% employer pension & minimum 3% employee contribution
- Salary sacrifices pension scheme
- Separate Life Assurance Cover (equivalent of two times your annual salary)
- Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays, gym membership etc
- 24/7 Employee Assistance programme
- Access to remote counselling service
- Paid Disability Leave
- Paid compassionate Leave
- Home Working Allowance
- Support with continuous professional development
- Access to Clifton Strengths Coaching for development
- Personal Development Plans
How are staff supported to work remotely? VoiceAbility has a small number of offices. Employees including Team Leaders are homebased for Administration and meetings will be held online as well as in person in the relevant community. When you need to travel for work, expenses will be paid (mileage or public transport costs). VoiceAbility offers the usual regular manager one to ones, Staff forums and communities of practice depending on role. Team meetings with a mix of virtual and in person approach.
Equality and Diversity: VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential. VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact us.
How to apply: To apply for this role please sign up for a recruitment account on our website.
Important Dates: Closing date for applications; 12 Midday on 16 of April 2025, however, VoiceAbility reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy before this date. Don’t forget to read the person specification so you can tell us about yourself and how your skills, abilities and experiences match the criteria outlined in the person specification. Hint: you can use work, personal and/or voluntary experiences, and examples to tell us why you should be our next Advocate. We look forward to hearing from you.
NB: If you don't already hold the Independent Advocacy Practice qualification, and you are successful in your application, it is a requirement that you complete the core element within 12 months of commencing the training. VoiceAbility will fund this training.
Advocate employer: VoiceAbility
Contact Detail:
VoiceAbility Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Advocate
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the principles of advocacy and the specific needs of the clients you will be supporting. Understanding the unique challenges faced by individuals in a secure mental health facility like Guild Lodge will help you demonstrate your commitment and readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the advocacy and social care sectors. Attend relevant workshops or seminars to connect with others who work in similar roles. This can provide you with insights into the job and may even lead to valuable recommendations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your transferable skills during the interview. Think about how your previous experiences in welfare, support, or health and social care can be applied to the Advocate role. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your ability to empower clients.
✨Tip Number 4
Research VoiceAbility thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and the services they offer. Being able to articulate why you want to work for them specifically will show your genuine interest and alignment with their goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Advocate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of an Advocate at VoiceAbility. Familiarise yourself with their mission and values to align your application with their goals.
Tailor Your CV: Highlight relevant experience in welfare, support, or health and social care. Use specific examples from your work or volunteering history that demonstrate your skills in advocacy and supporting individuals with diverse needs.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for advocacy and how your experiences have prepared you for this role. Mention specific instances where you've made a difference in someone's life, showcasing your ability to empower others.
Address the Person Specification: Carefully read the person specification and ensure you address each criterion in your application. Use concrete examples from your past experiences to illustrate how you meet these requirements, making it clear why you are the ideal candidate.
How to prepare for a job interview at VoiceAbility
✨Understand the Role of an Advocate
Before your interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of what an Advocate does, especially in a mental health context. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities and how they align with the values of VoiceAbility.
✨Prepare Personal Examples
Think of specific instances from your past work or volunteer experiences where you supported individuals in need. Be ready to discuss how you empowered them and ensured their voices were heard, as this will demonstrate your suitability for the role.
✨Show Your Passion for Advocacy
During the interview, express your genuine passion for advocacy and helping others. Share why you want to work with VoiceAbility and how you believe you can make a difference in the lives of those you support.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could include inquiries about the training provided, team dynamics, or how success is measured in the role. It shows your interest and helps you gauge if the organisation is the right fit for you.
