Community Advocate

Salary: £28,000 – £32,316 per annum (£16,333 – £18,097 pro rata). Hours: 21 hours per week (to be worked over 3 or 4 days). Contract: Fixed‑term for 4 years (subject to continued funding), with the possibility of extension for up to a further 2 years. Location: HF Mencap Office, W14 0AH (with flexible home working by agreement).

About HF Mencap

HF Mencap is a local charity supporting people with learning disabilities, autism and other support needs, as well as their families and carers. We work to reduce inequality, increase opportunities, and ensure local people are supported to live the lives they choose.

About the Role

HF Mencap is seeking a committed and values‑driven Community Advocate to join our team supporting adults across the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. This post is funded by the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (LBHF) in partnership with the Libra Partnership, supporting HF Mencap to strengthen and grow community advocacy provision for local residents. HF Mencap has delivered advocacy support for the local community since 1999.

The Community Advocacy Service Provides Advocacy Support to Adults Aged 18+ Living in the Borough Who May Have One or More of the Following:

• Learning disabilities and/or autism.
• Mental health needs.
• Brain injury.
• Physical disabilities.
• Sensory impairments.
• Older people and people with dementia.
• Long‑term illness.
• Profound and multiple disabilities or complex health needs.

As a Community Advocate you will empower people to have a bigger voice, to be heard, and to be involved in decisions that affect their lives. You will support individuals with a wide range of issues including wellbeing and health, housing and benefits, access to services, and participation in meetings. You will work in partnership with other agencies to help remove barriers, increase opportunities, and improve outcomes for local residents.

Accountability

The Community Advocate will be responsible to the CEO and Senior Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide advocacy support to adults living in Hammersmith & Fulham with disabilities, mental health conditions, and complex health needs.
• Enable people to have more choice and control over their lives.
• Provide one‑to‑one advocacy support, based on individual need.
• Encourage self‑advocacy by supporting people to make informed choices and, where possible, to speak for themselves.
• Support individuals to challenge services and decisions where necessary.
• Work in partnership with social services and other agencies to remove barriers and increase opportunities.
• Promote equality and inclusion, and challenge discriminatory behaviour.
• Manage an advocacy caseload of up to 12 people at any one time, closing cases within appropriate timeframes.
• Support individuals to access communication support where needed (e.g., Speech and Language Therapy), and use accessible communication approaches (signs, symbols, photos, multimedia etc.).
• Provide accessible information so people understand their rights, options and choices.
• Attend relevant meetings and forums, supporting individuals and raising awareness of key issues.
• Support people to access opportunities through Individual Budgets and Self‑Directed Support.
• Support people to access adapted housing, healthy lifestyles and community activities, recognising carers’ needs.
• Participate in campaigns facilitated by HF Mencap to improve resources, raise awareness and strengthen community inclusion.
• Link with London and national networks (including National Mencap) and share resources and good practice.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to monitoring and reporting requirements.
• Attend supervision regularly and participate in appraisal processes.
• Attend relevant training, events and consultations run by the Local Authority.
• Carry out the role in line with HF Mencap’s policies, procedures and service standards.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the role as required.

Person Specification

Essential

• Level 4 Independent Advocacy Practice qualification.
• Ability to form positive, professional working relationships with a wide range of clients.
• Ability to work with people who have a range of communication and support needs.
• Ability to manage a complex caseload across a wide range of issues.
• Ability to research options and support clients to make informed choices.
• Excellent communication skills, able to communicate sensitively and empathetically.
• Ability to communicate effectively with professionals and partner organisations.
• Ability to manage risk to self and others.
• Strong planning and organisational skills.
• Good IT skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Flexible, positive approach.

Desirable

• Knowledge of good advocacy practice.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation including:

• Mental Health Act 2007.
• Care Act 2014.
• Human Rights Act 1998.
• Equality Act 2010.

Special Requirements

• Ability and willingness to travel within London boroughs (and beyond if required).
• Your work must be within reasonable daily travelling distance of your home.
• Willingness to work in a range of environments including community settings, care settings, hospitals, secure settings, courts and prisons.
• You will be expected to attend meetings within and beyond the borough as required by clients, professionals and the organisation.
• The postholder may occasionally work outside normal office hours, including evenings or weekends, as required.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave:

• Full‑time (37.5 hrs/week): 25 days annual leave (187.5 hours) + 8 bank holidays (60 hours).
• Part‑time (21 hrs/week): 14 days annual leave (105 hours) + pro‑rata bank holidays (33.6 hours).

Equal Opportunities

HF Mencap is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to creating an environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Find Out More

Website: www.hfmencap.org. Instagram: www.instagram.com/hfmencap.