At a Glance
- Tasks: Empower adults with disabilities to have a voice and access essential services.
- Company: Join HF Mencap, a charity dedicated to supporting individuals with learning disabilities.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Level 4 Independent Advocacy Practice qualification and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 32316 £ per year.
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
- Knowledge of public and third-sector organisations and processes
- Completed National Advocacy Qualification (or willingness to work towards it)
- Knowledge of non-instructed advocacy
- Experience of working with people with different needs
- Knowledge of the local area
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: 25 days + bank holidays (full-time equivalent)
- Full-time (37.5 hrs/week): 25 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays
- Part-time (21 hrs/week): 14 days annual leave + pro-rata bank holidays
- Employee Benefits by Sodexo
- 24/7 GP access (remote doctor appointments and medical advice)
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – free confidential counselling, legal advice and wellbeing support
- Flexible working arrangements (office-based with some home working by agreement)
- Ongoing training, supervision and development opportunities
- Sick pay is provided in accordance with HF Mencap's Sick Pay Policy and Statutory Sick Pay regulations.
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: Instagram: About HF Mencap:
Our Mission
To empower children and adults with learning disabilities and autism to get their voice heard, reach their potential and be included in their local community.
Our Vision
We seek to promote the wellbeing and development of children and adults with learning disabilities and autism in all areas of their lives as well as supporting their families and carers.
Community Advocate in London employer: Hf-Mencap
As a Support Worker with us, you'll be part of a compassionate team dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of individuals with learning disabilities and autism. We offer flexible part-time hours at a competitive rate of £13.8 an hour, fostering a supportive work culture that values your contributions and encourages personal growth. Join us in a rewarding environment where your efforts directly enhance community inclusion and individual well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Advocate in London
✨Get Involved in Local Initiatives
Dive headfirst into local community projects and social enterprises! This not only builds your experience but also connects you with like-minded folks who may know about part-time opportunities. Plus, many nonprofits announce openings through their events and volunteer activities, so keep your ears to the ground!
✨Join Social Impact Networks
Look for networks and forums centred around social impact – think local charity groups or online platforms where changemakers hang out. These places are goldmines for job leads, especially for part-time roles like the ones at Hf-Mencap. Engaging in discussions can also help you make meaningful connections with potential employers!
✨Utilise Your University’s Resources
If you’re still in uni, tap into career services that may have exclusive listings for part-time roles in nonprofits. They often host job fairs or info sessions where you can meet representatives from organisations like Hf-Mencap directly. It’s a great way to make an impression beyond your CV!
✨Check Out Online Opportunities
Websites like Idealist or CharityJob specifically showcase part-time positions in the nonprofit sector. Make sure to check these regularly while keeping an eye on Hf-Mencap’s own job listings on our website. Being proactive here can put you ahead of the curve!
We think you need these skills to ace Community Advocate in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Impact:For a role like Community Advocate at Hf-Mencap, your cover letter is your chance to shine a light on why social impact matters to you. Share any personal experiences or volunteer work that highlight your commitment to the cause. We want to see your genuine enthusiasm!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure your CV showcases any nonprofit work or projects you've been involved in, even if they were part-time or volunteer roles. Emphasize skills like project management, fundraising, or community engagement. These are key in the nonprofit sector, and we want to see how you can contribute to our mission!
Tailor Your Application:When applying for the Community Advocate, customise your documents to fit the vibe of Hf-Mencap. Use our language, reflect our values, and connect your personal goals with our mission. This shows us you’ve done your homework and you're excited to join the team in this part-time capacity.
Don’t Forget Your Availability:As this is a part-time position, clearly outline your availability in your application. Whether you're a student balancing studies or have other commitments, we appreciate transparency. Just pop your available hours in your cover letter or CV so we can see how you fit into our schedule.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hf-Mencap
✨Show Your Passion for the Cause
When applying for a part-time role in the nonprofit sector, it's essential to convey your genuine enthusiasm for the mission of Hf-Mencap. Be ready to share personal stories or experiences that highlight why social impact matters to you and how you align with their goals.
✨Bring Tangible Examples of Impact
Nonprofits often look for candidates who can demonstrate their ability to create meaningful change. Prepare examples from your past experiences—whether in volunteering, projects, or academic work—that showcase your skills in making a positive impact. Use metrics if possible; it's all about showing how you’ve really contributed.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to encounter scenario-based questions during your interview. These will assess how you handle real-world challenges in the nonprofit space. For example, how would you deal with limited resources or navigate a conflict with team members? Think through your past experiences to give thoughtful responses.
✨Flexibility and Availability are Key
Since it's a part-time role, they might dig into your availability during the interview. Be open and clear about your schedule and how it can align with Hf-Mencap's needs. They’ll want to know that you can commit without compromising your passion for the work!
