At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead advocacy support for children and young people, ensuring their voices are heard.
- Company: The Children’s Society, dedicated to supporting vulnerable children for over 140 years.
- Benefits: 36 days annual leave, enhanced parental leave, pension matching, and free counselling.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in advocacy for children and ability to supervise and support colleagues.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Permanent with funding until 31st March 2028
28 hours per week
Location: Office base: Wythenshawe, Manchester, with regular travel across Cheshire West and Chester and to out-of-area placements as required.
Benefits include but are not limited to:
- 36 days’ annual leave [full time roles only], inclusive of flexible bank holidays, increasing with length of service
- Enhanced maternity/paternity leave
- We match up to 8% pension
- Free counselling service
- Opportunities to develop and widen your skills
- 2 days of paid volunteering time per annum to support another part of the organisation
About us: The Children’s Society has been helping children and young people in this country for over 140 years. We deliver essential local services that provide safe, trusted support to children and young people during times of significant need. Our Youth Impact domain creates impact for children and young people. With highly skilled and experienced staff working across England and Wales, we provide direct support to children, young people, parents and carers, as well as conduct research and influence Government to make changes. We also provide training for professionals. Our value driven team change the lives of children in this country for the better — and with your help and expertise, tomorrow we can support even more.
About the role: You'll play a key part in our Cheshire West and Chester Advocacy Service, delivering independent advocacy support to children and young people who are cared for by the local authority, subject to Child in Need and Child Protection Plans, children and young people with disabilities, and those requiring non-instructed advocacy. We're looking for a dedicated and experienced Lead Advocate with the ability to manage a complex caseload whilst providing leadership, supervision and practice support to Advocates, making a real impact in the lives of children and young people.
Key skills and experience:
- Experience of advocating for children and young people and ensuring their voices, wishes and feelings are heard in decisions affecting their lives.
- Ability to supervise, coach and support colleagues whilst promoting high standards of safeguarding and advocacy practice.
- Experience of risk assessment, referral triage and partnership working with social care, education, health and other agencies.
It would also be an advantage if you have any of the following skills and competencies:
- Experience of working with children and young people who are cared for, subject to CIN or CP Plans, or have disabilities and additional needs.
- Experience of undertaking case audits, quality assurance activities or service improvement work.
- Knowledge of instructed and non-instructed advocacy approaches and children's rights legislation.
Closing date: Midnight on 23rd August
Interviews: To be confirmed
The Children’s Society is committed to safeguarding and protection of the children and young people we work with. As such, our safer recruitment process includes a Basic or Enhanced DBS check, 5 years of references, and additional vetting checks relevant to the role. We have a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place to promote safeguarding and safer working practices across all areas of our organisation.
In support of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, shortlisting is carried out on an anonymised basis. Personal details are hidden from the shortlisting panel, and candidates are referenced by a candidate number only. As part of this process, we ask that your CV is anonymised before submission - this means removing personal information such as your name, contact details, age, and any other identifying details.
AI tools can support your application but only when used appropriately. You’re welcome to use them to improve clarity, structure, and research. However, overuse or misuse (e.g. inventing experience or using AI during assessments) may lead to rejection at any stage. We want to hear the real you - authenticity matters.
Lead Advocate employer: The Children's Society
The Children's Society is an exceptional employer, dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people across the UK. With a supportive work culture that values employee development, you will have access to benefits such as a generous pension scheme, free counselling services, and opportunities to enhance your skills while working in a collaborative environment. Located in Washington, Tyne & Wear, this role offers flexibility and the chance to engage with your community, all while contributing to a vital cause.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Advocate
✨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 Children's Society.
✨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 Children's Society!
✨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 Children's Society, 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 Children's Society 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 Lead Advocate
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 Children's Society:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Children's Society! 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 Children's Society
✨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.
