Advocate

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 are looking for an Advocate to join our team in Bedfordshire. We are seeking applicants who have transferable skills, a willingness to learn and a desire to help those in need of support.

The role may involve advocating for our autistic clients and those with learning disabilities to undergo care and treatment reviews. Therefore, if you have personal lived experience in this regard—whether through your own journey or supporting a family member—it would be advantageous.

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.  For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for an Advocate to join our team covering Bedfordshire. Your role will require you to travel to locations such as clients’ homes, hospitals, care homes and within community settings across the area to meet with clients and professionals. You will be home based for administration; therefore, access to reliable transport five days a week and a reliable home internet connection are essential.

About you

Desirably you will have some experience of working in advocacy, or 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 by clicking the apply button on this page and follow the instructions to create an account on our website.  

Important Dates:

Closing date for applications: 5pm 29 August 2025, however, VoiceAbility reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy before this date.

 Interview dates: 2 & 3 September 2025

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.

Hint: you can use work, personal and/or voluntary experiences, and examples to tell us why you should be our next Advocate.

Want to know more about VoiceAbility and the role?

Please visit our website.  We look forward to hearing from you.