At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead advocacy for parents with learning disabilities and neurodivergent needs across London.
- Company: Join The Elfrida Society, a respected charity with over 100 years of history.
- Benefits: 30 days annual leave, flexible working, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values diversity and promotes staff wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your advocacy skills.
- Qualifications: Level 4 Qualification in Advocacy and experience supporting diverse needs.
The predicted salary is between 31044 - 31044 £ per year.
Supporting parents with learning disabilities and/or neurodivergent needs in London (with travel across London and surrounding boroughs). Flexible hours per week (subject to service need). £31,044 pro rata. Permanent.
Charity People is delighted to be partnering with The Elfrida Society to recruit a Senior Specialist Advocate to join their dedicated advocacy team. This is a rare opportunity to play a senior, practice-focused role within a respected, user-led charity with over 100 years of history supporting adults, parents and families with learning disabilities and neurodivergent needs.
About The Elfrida Society
The Elfrida Society is a values-driven organisation committed to rights, inclusion and social justice. Their independent advocacy services ensure that people who face systemic barriers are heard, respected and supported to influence decisions that affect their lives - particularly within social care, health, education and legal systems.
About the role
This is a senior advocacy role focused on supporting parents with learning disabilities and/or neurodivergent needs. You will lead complex and sensitive cases, work confidently across multi-agency environments, and help shape high-quality advocacy practice within the service. You'll balance direct advocacy with contributing to service development, reflective practice and informal support for colleagues, helping to strengthen an already well-respected service.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading complex advocacy cases, including safeguarding, care planning, housing, health and legal processes
- Providing independent, person-centred advocacy using accessible communication and supported decision-making
- Preparing for and attending multi-agency meetings, case conferences and reviews
- Maintaining high-quality, accurate case records and working within safeguarding frameworks
- Contributing to quality improvement and best practice across the advocacy service
About you
You'll be an experienced advocate who is confident working autonomously, values reflective practice, and is deeply committed to empowerment and anti-oppressive approaches.
You will bring:
- A Level 4 Qualification in Advocacy (or equivalent)
- Experience supporting people with learning disabilities and neurodivergent needs
- Good knowledge of the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, Equality Act and safeguarding frameworks
- Strong communication skills, including making information accessible
- The ability to manage complex caseloads independently
Experience working with parents, safeguarding cases or mentoring colleagues is welcomed but not essential.
What's on offer
The Elfrida Society places real value on staff wellbeing and professional support. Benefits include:
- 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)
- Occupational sick pay
- Regular clinical supervision and reflective practice
- Ongoing training and development
- Flexible working where possible
- Travel expenses reimbursed (outside of to and from work)
- A supportive, collaborative and values-led culture
How to apply
Applications from people with lived experience of disability, neurodiversity and social disadvantage are warmly encouraged. Please contact Abi with a copy of your CV.
Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.
Senior Specialist Advocate employer: Charity People
Contact Detail:
Charity People Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Specialist Advocate
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the advocacy field, especially those connected to The Elfrida Society. Attend events or workshops where you can meet potential colleagues and learn more about the organisation's culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of the Care Act and safeguarding frameworks. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role and how you can contribute to their mission of supporting parents with learning disabilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your reflective practice skills! During interviews, share examples of how you've learned from past experiences and how that has shaped your approach to advocacy. This will demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Specialist Advocate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior Specialist Advocate role. Highlight your experience in advocacy, especially with parents and individuals with learning disabilities or neurodivergent needs.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about advocacy and how your values align with The Elfrida Society's mission. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your experience, focus on specific examples where you've led complex cases or worked within multi-agency environments. This will demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the role effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Charity People
✨Know Your Advocacy Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, and Equality Act. Being able to discuss these frameworks confidently will show that you're not just familiar with them, but that you can apply them in real-world scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work where you've successfully led complex advocacy cases or supported parents with learning disabilities. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since the role involves making information accessible, practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. This will demonstrate your strong communication skills and your ability to advocate effectively for those who may struggle with understanding.
✨Reflect on Your Practice
Be ready to discuss how you engage in reflective practice. Think about times when you've sought feedback or adapted your approach based on what you've learned. This shows that you value continuous improvement and are committed to high-quality advocacy.