At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable adults with health and social care challenges through advocacy and representation.
- Company: Join POhWER, a dedicated organisation empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their care.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, a cash wellbeing plan, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while developing valuable skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and IT proficiency; previous advocacy experience is a plus.
- Other info: Full training provided, including sponsorship for advocacy qualifications.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 30000 £ per year.
Are you passionate about making a difference in people's lives? Do you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment? Are you ready to take on a role that impacts your community? We are currently seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Independent Advocate to join our vibrant team in Gloucester!
As an Independent Advocate, you will provide crucial support to vulnerable adults facing significant health and social care challenges. Your role involves delivering persuasive verbal and written representations on behalf of clients, collaborating with public and voluntary organisations, and taking directed actions to address client issues. This role demands flexibility, excellent communication, and the ability to handle sensitive information confidently.
Hours of Work: 1x Part-Time: 18.50 hours, working between 9am - 5pm Monday – Friday. (We are also open to Full time positions for this post, please specify this on your application and we are happy to discuss this further)
Location: Home based with travel around the Gloucester area. (Applicants should live in the Gloucester area; have a full driver’s licence and access to their own transport.)
Salary: Part-time Salary £12,121.20 Per Annum (Full-time Salary equivalent £24,242.40 per annum)
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Independent Advocate Requirements
- Strong communication and time management skills to successfully work remotely.
- Excellent IT skills, including the use of Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel, and the ability to learn software packages such as client management databases.
- Attention to detail to ensure accurate recording of records and reporting to meet tight deadlines.
Desirable
- Previous experience in advocacy, information and advice, or a similar role within health, social care, or the voluntary sector.
- Demonstrable experience working with vulnerable adults.
- Working knowledge of public and voluntary organisations.
Benefits
- 25 days annual leave + Bank holiday (Rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service) with the option to buy or sell up to 5 days leave + your birthday off as an additional holiday day after 1 years’ service!
- Discretionary shutdown days at Christmas with up to 4 additional days leave.
- 1 Community Leave Day per annum.
- Cash Wellbeing Healthcare Plan which covers Optical/dental/alternative therapy and more!
- Auto enrolment Pension plan.
- Death in service cover.
- Bike to work scheme.
Meet the Organisation: At POhWER, we are committed to empowering individuals and enabling their voices to be heard. We provide advocacy and information services to support people in making effective decisions about their health and social care. Our team is dedicated to listening, exploring options, and taking action to meet our clients' best interests.
We provide a full induction, training and equipment including a laptop and mobile phone. It is a contractual requirement that all advocates hold or are working towards an advocacy qualification. The most recognised qualification is the City and Guilds Level 4 Independent Advocacy Practice Qualification (IAP) for practising advocates, previously completed City and Guilds Level 3 National Advocacy Qualification (NAQ). If you do not already hold an NAQ certificate or diploma or IAP qualification or equivalent, the expectation will be that you will gain the City and Guilds IAP qualification following successful completion of probation and pre-enrolment process. POhWER will fully sponsor this and provide a reasonable amount of study time and in return expect advocates to manage their time and complete within 12 months of registration.
Think you are the perfect fit for this Independent Advocate role? Don't wait! Apply Now with your CV and Cover letter!
Closing Date: 9am, Monday 14th July 2025 (We reserve the right to close this vacancy early)
Interview Date: TBC
For an informal discussion please contact Community Manager, Danielle Vale at D.Vale@pohwer.net.
An Enhanced DBS check and National Offender Management Service vetting will be conducted for this position.
POhWER is an equal opportunities employer, holder of the Investors in People Silver award, and a member of the MINDFUL EMPLOYER scheme. We are a level 2 Disability confidence scheme employer, and disabled applicants who meet all the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview. POhWER is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities, and particularly welcome candidates from groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. Our goal is to foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute. This includes, but is not limited to, people with disabilities, women, men, Black, Asian and other racially minoritised people, LGBTQ+ who are currently under-represented in our workforce.
To help embed inclusion for all, from day one, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee networks to support people from different backgrounds.
Independent Advocate employer: POhWER
Contact Detail:
POhWER Recruiting Team
D.Vale@pohwer.net
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Advocate
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the local organisations and services in Gloucester that work with vulnerable adults. Understanding the landscape will not only help you in your role but also show your commitment to the community during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former advocates in the field. They can provide insights into the role and share their experiences, which can be invaluable when preparing for your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your communication skills, especially in delivering persuasive arguments. Consider joining a local speaking club or participating in workshops to enhance your verbal representation abilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Research POhWER’s mission and values thoroughly. Being able to articulate how your personal values align with theirs can set you apart as a candidate who truly understands and supports their goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Independent Advocate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in advocacy, health, or social care. Emphasise your communication skills and any previous work with vulnerable adults, as these are crucial for the Independent Advocate role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for making a difference in people's lives. Mention specific examples of how you've supported individuals in challenging situations and how your skills align with the job requirements.
Highlight IT Proficiency: Since the role requires excellent IT skills, be sure to mention your proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and any experience with client management databases. This will demonstrate your readiness to handle the technical aspects of the job.
Showcase Flexibility and Time Management: Discuss your ability to work flexibly and manage your time effectively, especially when working remotely. Provide examples of how you've successfully balanced multiple tasks or projects in a fast-paced environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at POhWER
✨Show Your Passion for Advocacy
Make sure to express your genuine passion for making a difference in people's lives during the interview. Share personal experiences or motivations that led you to pursue a career in advocacy, as this will resonate with the interviewers and demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
As an Independent Advocate, excellent communication is key. Prepare to discuss how you've effectively communicated with vulnerable adults or collaborated with organisations in the past. Use specific examples to illustrate your ability to convey complex information clearly and persuasively.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Time Management
Given the dynamic nature of the role, be ready to discuss how you manage your time and adapt to changing circumstances. Provide examples of situations where you've successfully juggled multiple responsibilities or adapted your approach to meet client needs.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Organisations
Research public and voluntary organisations relevant to the role before the interview. Being knowledgeable about these organisations will not only show your initiative but also help you discuss how you can effectively collaborate with them to support clients.