Advocate

Advocate

Bradford Full-Time 28800 - 43200 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support individuals in expressing their needs and rights while navigating health and social care.
  • Company: Join VoiceAbility, a leading charity advocating for those in need for over 40 years.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, pension contributions, and staff discounts on various services.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference by empowering clients and ensuring their voices are heard.
  • Qualifications: Experience in welfare, support, or health and social care is preferred.
  • Other info: Flexible home working with travel expenses covered; inclusive workplace culture.

The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.

Do you want to work with a leading advocacy charity organisation supporting those in need? Do you have experience of working or volunteering in welfare, support or health and social care and are looking for a new challenge? Are you keen to make a difference to people who want to be heard? Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility. We have an exciting opportunity for an Advocate to join our team in Bradford. Your role will require you to travel to locations such as hospitals and care homes across the area to meet with clients and professionals and be home based for administration; therefore, a suitable home internet connection is essential.

About us: VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations. We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most.

About you: Desirably you will have some experience of working as an Advocate, providing welfare, supporting, or caring for Adults or young people who have support needs, ideally for those with a variety of communication needs, mental ill health, physical health issues, or barriers to accessing education and support. You should have worked or volunteered in health, social care, welfare, support services, education or young person’s services, or advice and guidance.

How will you make a difference? You will be responsible for ensuring the individual’s wishes, feelings, beliefs, needs, and values are met to create positive outcomes for the people you support. You will support people to speak up for themselves and grow in confidence, equip them to understand and exercise their rights and options, and will assist them in the decision-making process relating to their care, treatment, and support. You will work resourcefully and collaboratively with the individuals you support. You’ll be creative in your approach to empower our clients by ensuring you meaningfully explain people’s options and rights to them. You’ll support individuals to fully participate in decisions affecting them and will make sure they have their voices heard.

Professional Development: You will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your professional abilities and you will make a real difference every day. Advocates are expected to be willing to gain, or to already hold, the Level 3 Award in Independent Advocacy Practice with disciplines suitable for the role they work in.

Benefits:

  • 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time colleagues) rising to 30 days upon 5 years’ service
  • 5% employer pension & minimum 3% employee contribution
  • Salary sacrifices pension scheme
  • Separate Life Assurance Cover (equivalent of two times your annual salary)
  • Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays, gym membership etc
  • 24/7 Employee Assistance programme
  • Access to remote counselling service
  • Paid Disability Leave
  • Paid compassionate Leave
  • Home Working Allowance

Support with continuous professional development: Access to Clifton Strengths Coaching for development Personal Development Plans.

How are staff supported to work remotely? VoiceAbility has a small number of offices. Employees including Team Leaders are homebased for Administration and meetings will be held online as well as in person in the relevant community. When you need to travel for work, expenses will be paid (mileage or public transport costs). VoiceAbility offers the usual regular manager one to ones, Staff forums and communities of practice depending on role. Team meetings with a mix of virtual and in person approach.

Equality and Diversity: VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential. VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact us for further options.

How to apply: To apply for this role please sign up for a recruitment account on our website and follow the instructions to create your account, upload your CV, and complete our short application form.

Important Dates: Closing date for applications; Midday 23 July 2025 Interviews w/c 28 July. Don’t forget to read the person specification so you can tell us about yourself and how your skills, abilities and experiences match the criteria outlined in the person specification. We look forward to hearing from you.

Advocate employer: VoiceAbility

VoiceAbility is an exceptional employer, dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals who need support. With a strong commitment to professional development, employees enjoy generous benefits including 28 days of annual leave, a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion, and opportunities for continuous learning. Working from home while engaging with clients across Bradford allows for flexibility and a rewarding experience in advocacy.
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Contact Detail:

VoiceAbility Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Advocate

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the principles of advocacy and the specific needs of the client groups you will be working with. Understanding the challenges faced by individuals with communication needs or mental health issues will help you demonstrate your commitment and suitability for the role.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the advocacy and social care sectors. Attend relevant workshops, webinars, or local events to connect with others in the field. This can provide valuable insights and may even lead to recommendations or referrals for the position.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss real-life scenarios where you've successfully advocated for someone or supported individuals in need. Having concrete examples ready will showcase your experience and ability to handle the responsibilities of the Advocate role effectively.

✨Tip Number 4

Research VoiceAbility's mission and values thoroughly. Being able to articulate how your personal values align with theirs during interviews will demonstrate your genuine interest in the organisation and its goals, making you a more appealing candidate.

We think you need these skills to ace Advocate

Advocacy Skills
Communication Skills
Empathy
Active Listening
Problem-Solving Skills
Knowledge of Health and Social Care
Understanding of Mental Health Issues
Ability to Work Independently
Collaboration Skills
Report Writing
Time Management
Conflict Resolution
Knowledge of Rights and Options for Clients
Creativity in Empowering Clients

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Advocate position. Familiarise yourself with the key aspects of advocacy work, especially in health and social care.

Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in welfare, support, or health and social care. Emphasise any specific roles where you've supported individuals with communication needs or mental health issues.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for advocacy and your commitment to making a difference. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you meet the criteria outlined in the job description.

Review the Person Specification: Carefully read the person specification provided in the job listing. Make sure to address each criterion in your application, explaining how your skills and experiences align with what VoiceAbility is looking for.

How to prepare for a job interview at VoiceAbility

✨Understand the Role of an Advocate

Before your interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of what an Advocate does. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities and how they impact the lives of those you will be supporting. This will help you articulate your passion for the role.

✨Showcase Relevant Experience

Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in welfare, support, or health and social care. Highlight specific examples where you've made a difference in someone's life, especially if it involved communication needs or mental health issues.

✨Demonstrate Empathy and Communication Skills

As an Advocate, strong communication and empathy are crucial. During the interview, provide examples of how you've effectively communicated with individuals facing challenges. Show that you can listen actively and respond sensitively to their needs.

✨Prepare Questions About Professional Development

VoiceAbility values continuous professional development. Prepare thoughtful questions about training opportunities, such as the Level 3 Award in Independent Advocacy Practice. This shows your commitment to growing in the role and making a positive impact.

Advocate
VoiceAbility
Location: Bradford
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