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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Empower children in care to express their wishes and ensure their voices are heard.
- Company: Join NYAS, a leading charity dedicated to advocating for young people's rights.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days annual leave, health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Full training provided, including support for an Advocacy qualification.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Passion for advocacy; experience with children or vulnerable adults is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Make a real difference to children and young people in care. We are looking to recruit an Advocate to work 25 hours per week to provide independent, confidential advocacy to children and young people in Local Authority care across Durham. In this role, you will empower children and young people to express their wishes and feelings, ensuring their voices are heard and respected in decisions that affect their lives. You will support them to understand their rights, explore their options, and make informed choices while ensuring they are treated fairly throughout the process.
What you will do
- You will work directly with children and young people to ensure their voice is central in decision-making. This will include:
- Attending meetings with young people and ensuring their views, wishes, and feelings are clearly represented
- Providing impartial, accessible information to help them understand their rights and options
- Supporting young people to raise concerns or make formal complaints
- Asking questions of professionals on their behalf when needed
- Signposting to relevant services and additional support
- Promoting understanding of outcomes and helping young people make informed decisions
About you
We are looking for someone who is passionate about supporting children and young people and committed to ensuring their voices are heard. You will ideally have experience working with children, young people, or vulnerable adults in a relevant setting, and be confident communicating with both service users and professionals. You will be:
- A strong communicator and active listener
- Able to remain impartial and professional at all times
- Confident working independently and managing your own caseload
- Committed to safeguarding, equality, and promoting rights
You do not need previous advocacy experience. Full training will be provided, and you will be supported to achieve an Advocacy qualification through NYAS.
Location requirement
This role requires you to work across Durham, therefore you must live within the local geographical area to meet the requirements of the role.
What we offer
- 26 days annual leave, rising to 30 days, plus bank holidays (pro rata for part-time)
- Occupational sick pay (subject to qualifying period)
- Enhanced pay for family-friendly leave
- Group stakeholder pension scheme
- Access to BHSF health cash plan
- Employee Assistance Programme (confidential support service)
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Free parking at some offices
- Structured support and supervision from your line manager
- Learning and development opportunities, including support to gain an Advocacy qualification
Safeguarding & recruitment
NYAS is committed to safeguarding children, young people, and adults at risk. All successful applicants will be subject to:
- Enhanced DBS check
- Reference checks
- Digital risk assessment
In accordance with UK immigration law, candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.
About NYAS
NYAS (National Youth Advocacy Service) is a leading rights-based charity ensuring that children, young people, and adults are fully respected, represented, and supported in expressing their views and having their rights upheld. We work with care-experienced individuals who often rely on statutory services and may be impacted by gaps in provision. Our advocacy and legal services help ensure their voices are heard and acted upon. We are an inclusive employer committed to equality and diversity. We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of background. We are also a Disability Confident Employer, guaranteeing interviews to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria.
How to apply
To apply for this role, please visit our website and complete the online application form. Please ensure you refer to the person specification within the job description and clearly demonstrate how you meet the required criteria in your application. The job description and person specification are available on the vacancy page of our website. If you are passionate about advocating for children and young people and want to help ensure their voices are heard, we would encourage you to apply.
Advocate in Durham employer: NYAS
Contact Detail:
NYAS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Advocate in Durham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the advocacy field, attend local events, and connect with organisations that focus on children and young people's rights. You never know who might have a lead on a job or can offer you some insider tips.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to advocacy. Think about scenarios where you've supported someone or stood up for their rights. We want to hear your passion and how you can make a difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your experience working with children and young people. Include any relevant training or volunteer work that demonstrates your commitment to advocacy and safeguarding.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Make sure to tailor your application to reflect how you meet the criteria in the job description – we love seeing that personal touch!
We think you need these skills to ace Advocate in Durham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Make sure to express your passion for supporting children and young people in your application. We want to see that you genuinely care about making a difference in their lives, so share any relevant experiences or motivations that drive you.
Tailor Your Application: Take the time to tailor your application to the job description. Highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of an Advocate, especially focusing on communication and advocacy skills. We love seeing applicants who pay attention to detail!
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out the application form, be clear and concise in your responses. We appreciate straightforward answers that get to the point, so avoid fluff and focus on what makes you a great fit for the role.
Check Your Work: Before hitting submit, give your application a good proofread. Typos and errors can distract from your message, so make sure everything is polished. We want to see your best work, so take that extra moment to check it over!
How to prepare for a job interview at NYAS
✨Know Your Advocacy Basics
Before the interview, brush up on the key principles of advocacy, especially in relation to children and young people. Understand their rights and how you can empower them to express their wishes. This will show your passion and commitment to the role.
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Think of specific situations where you've supported young people or vulnerable individuals. Be ready to share these examples during the interview to demonstrate your experience and skills in communication, active listening, and impartiality.
✨Research NYAS and Its Values
Familiarise yourself with the National Youth Advocacy Service and its mission. Understanding their approach to advocacy and how they support children and young people will help you align your answers with their values during the interview.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the training provided for new advocates or how they measure success in advocacy. It shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.