At a Glance
- Tasks: Advocate for children's rights and support young people in making their voices heard.
- Company: Coram, the UK's oldest children's charity, dedicated to improving lives since 1739.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 25 days leave, matched pension contributions, and a focus on wellbeing.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and safeguarding.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people every day.
- Qualifications: Passion for advocacy and understanding of children's rights.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: Home based and work within the communities (Candidates must reside within a reasonable distance of the service area).
Hours: 17.5 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
About Coram: Coram is committed to improving the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people. We support children and young people from birth to independence, creating a change that lasts a lifetime. Coram is the UK’s oldest children’s charity founded by Thomas Coram in London helping vulnerable children and young people since 1739. Today, the Coram group helps more than one million children, young people, families and professionals every year by providing access to the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.
About Coram Voice: Coram Voice is a national independent children’s charity, established in 1975, and one of the UK’s leading organisations championing the rights of children and young people in care. We ensure their voices are heard, respected, and acted upon, and we work every day to improve the lives and outcomes of those who rely on the support of the state.
About the role: As an Advocate, you will:
- Deliver high-quality advocacy for children and young people in line with organisational guidelines, legislation and contract requirements.
- Provide direct advocacy support face-to-face and virtually.
- Ensure children and young people understand their rights and options and are supported to agree outcomes/action plans.
- Represent and amplify young people’s views in decision-making about their lives.
- Maintain accurate case records and contribute to data/reporting.
- Promote best practice, equality and safeguarding values: challenge discrimination, maintain confidentiality (GDPR), follow health & safety, and contribute to CPD/training and wider organisational learning.
If you are passionate about young people’s rights and meaningful, lasting change, this role could be perfect for you.
What We Offer: Coram Voice is committed to recognising and rewarding the vital work of our staff. When you join us, you’ll benefit from:
- Matched pension contributions (up to 5%)
- 25 days’ annual leave plus 3 additional paid days between Christmas and New Year
- Supportive, flexible working culture
- Family friendly policies and a focus on staff wellbeing
- You will have the opportunity to make a genuine difference—every single day.
Recruitment Process: Shortlisting conducted by Emma Keen, Children’s Rights Manager, and Sarah Gabriel, Children’s Rights Manager.
How to Apply: Applications must be submitted through our portal. Please complete the full application form and address every point in the person specification. We cannot accept CVs. Internal applicants may submit a supporting statement addressing the person specification.
Interview Process: A further one-to-one interview (Warner compliant). To apply for this role, please click on the “apply now” button below to complete the application.
Coram is an equal opportunities employer and we believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve the services to the children and families we help. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community we seek to support. This includes those from global majority ethnic backgrounds, those that identify as LGBQT+, those with disabilities, those with lived experience of care, those with neuro-diversity, and those from other groups who are underrepresented at Coram. If applicants feel comfortable, we would encourage them to draw on lived experience as well as professional experience in their personal statement as part of their application. We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Advocate employer: Coram Voice
Coram is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable children and young people across the UK. With a supportive and flexible working culture, employees enjoy generous benefits including matched pension contributions and 25 days of annual leave, alongside opportunities for personal and professional growth. Joining Coram means being part of a passionate team that values diversity and actively champions the rights of those they serve, ensuring every voice is heard and respected.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advocate
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know Coram and its mission! Research their values and the work they do for vulnerable children. This will help you connect your passion for advocacy with their goals during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! As an Advocate, you'll need to represent young people's views effectively. Role-play common interview questions with a friend to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your lived experience! If you have personal insights related to care or advocacy, don’t hesitate to share them. It can set you apart and demonstrate your genuine commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! Make sure to fill out the application form thoroughly and address every point in the person specification. We want to see how you align with our mission!
We think you need these skills to ace Advocate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully:Before you start your application, take a good look at the job description. Make sure you understand what the role of an Advocate involves and how your skills align with the requirements. This will help you tailor your application to show us why you're the perfect fit!
Address the Person Specification:When filling out the application form, make sure you address every point in the person specification. We want to see how your experiences and values match what we're looking for, so don’t hold back on showcasing your strengths!
Be Authentic:We love hearing about your lived experiences as well as your professional background. If you have personal stories that relate to the role or demonstrate your passion for advocating for young people, share them! Authenticity goes a long way in making your application stand out.
Apply Through Our Portal:Remember, applications must be submitted through our portal, so don’t forget to click that 'apply now' button! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets into the right hands.
How to prepare for a job interview at Coram Voice
✨Know Your Advocacy Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key principles of advocacy, especially as they relate to children and young people. Familiarise yourself with relevant legislation and organisational guidelines that Coram follows. This will show that you're not just passionate but also knowledgeable about the role.
✨Showcase Your Empathy
During the interview, be ready to share examples of how you've supported young people in the past. Highlight your ability to listen and understand their needs. Coram values the voices of children and young people, so demonstrating your empathy will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions where you'll need to demonstrate how you'd handle specific situations involving young people. Think through potential challenges and how you would advocate for a child's rights in those scenarios. Practising these responses can help you feel more confident.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Diversity
Coram is dedicated to supporting diverse communities, so be prepared to discuss how your background or experiences align with this mission. If you have lived experience or have worked with underrepresented groups, share those stories. It shows that you understand the importance of inclusivity in advocacy.