At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and represent clients in understanding their rights and making decisions about their care.
- Company: Join The Advocacy People, a leading charity empowering voices in health and social care.
- Benefits: Enjoy employee discounts, training opportunities, and an employee assistance programme.
- Other info: Home-based role with travel in West Sussex; flexible hours and training provided.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a supportive team environment.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed; creativity, flexibility, and strong communication skills are essential.
Advocacy is a powerful force for change. It allows individuals to have their voices heard and respected when decisions are being made about their health and social care. It raises awareness of people’s rights and entitlements and empowers people to advocate for themselves or speak up for them when they can’t. The Advocacy People are an independent, human rights-based charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy, advocacy-related and Healthwatch services, who make sure people are heard when it matters most.
Being an advocate makes a difference, so if you’re hoping for a rewarding, varied, interesting role as part of a friendly, supportive team, read on!
About the role
In this vital role you will be working across West Sussex and Brighton & Hove, providing support and representation to clients who may have substantial difficulty understanding, communicating or participating in decisions about their care and support. You will help the person understand their rights and options, express their wishes and views, and ensure these are considered during assessments, reviews and care planning. You will be required to represent the person’s views to those responsible for making decisions, liaising and developing positive working relationships with external partners and key stakeholders at a variety of levels. We are looking to recruit a permanent, multi-skilled advocate to join our West Sussex team, working up to 37 hours per week (minimum 25 hours), starting salary of £25,878 per annum (pro rata). The post is multi-disciplinary and may cover several forms of advocacy.
What we need from you
Putting people at the heart of what you do, you will work with people from across our communities. How you work will depend on each individual so the ability to communicate in a variety of ways, verbally and non-verbally, with clients and professionals, is key to success. You may or may not have direct experience of this in your own life, or in another role, or have relevant qualifications but this isn’t a problem as we can offer training. We’re looking for people who are creative, flexible and organised, able to balance direct work with people with important administrative tasks.
This role is home-based with regular travel, mainly in West Sussex, and we need you to be based within the West Sussex boundary as, if living out of the county, you may only be reimbursed expenses from the border. You must have access to both a stable home broadband service and good mobile signal, a full driving licence and your own transport, together with business insurance cover, and flexibility with working hours.
What happens next
If you’d like to know more, the full job description and information about how to apply can be found on our website. Anyone joining our team is subject to The Advocacy People’s Safer Recruitment pre-appointment checks. Applicants invited to interview will need to bring evidence (photographic where possible) of their right to work in the UK and new employee start dates will only be confirmed once other mandatory checks, including the appropriate DBS clearance and 2 satisfactory references, one of which will need to be from your most recent or current employer, have been received. We look forward to hearing from you!
Closing Date: 9am 14th September 2026
Interview Date: Flexible
Interview venue: MS Teams
If you would like to discuss the role further, please contact Karen Darcy, Local Manager (Advocacy) at: Karen.Darcy@theadvocacypeople.org.uk
We’re keen to meet great candidates as soon as possible. Interviews may be held as applications come in, and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we have a high response, so don’t wait, apply today!
The Company
The Advocacy People and Healthwatch share core values which are all about people’s voices: empowering people to speak up; amplifying service user voices; enabling people to take part in, and influence, decision-making about health and social care; and providing information which helps people make informed decisions. As an independent charity grounded in Human Rights principles, we take pride in being one of the UK's foremost providers of advocacy and Healthwatch services. We're on a mission to make sure that when it truly matters, everyone's voice counts. Together, we support those who often feel sidelined, helping them shape decisions that affect their lives and communities.
Come and be a part of our welcoming community, where your voice matters and your contributions make a real difference.
EDI
By embracing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, we can build a stronger, more resilient organisation and work together to create a more just and equitable society. We invite all members of our community to join us in this important journey toward positive change.
Advocate (Multi disciplinary) – up to 37 hours per week (minimum 25 hours) in Brighton employer: The Advocacy People
The Advocacy People is an exceptional employer, dedicated to empowering individuals and ensuring their voices are heard in the health and social care sector. With a strong commitment to flexible working, a supportive work culture, and opportunities for professional growth, employees can thrive while making a meaningful impact in Somerset. Join us to be part of a passionate team that values collaboration and strives to improve services for the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advocate (Multi disciplinary) – up to 37 hours per week (minimum 25 hours) in Brighton
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at The Advocacy People.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from The Advocacy People!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like The Advocacy People, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at The Advocacy People or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Advocate (Multi disciplinary) – up to 37 hours per week (minimum 25 hours) in Brighton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to The Advocacy People:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Advocacy People! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Advocacy People
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
