At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in expressing their needs and rights while navigating health and social care.
- Company: VoiceAbility is a leading charity advocating for those needing support across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, remote work options, and a range of employee perks.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in welfare, health, or social care is preferred; passion for advocacy is essential.
- Other info: Flexible home-based work with travel to meet clients; training and development opportunities available.
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 are looking for an Advocate to join our team in the Inverclyde area. We are seeking applicants who have transferable skills, a willingness to learn and a desire to help those in need of support.
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 the role
This is an exciting opportunity for Advocates to join and shape this service covering Inverclyde. 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 your own transportation and a suitable home internet connection is essential.
About you
Desirably you will have some experience of working in advocacy, or providing welfare, supporting, or caring for Adults who have support needs, ideally for those with a variety of communication needs, mental ill health, physical health issues, or barriers to accessing 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.
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 HR for further options.
How to apply
To apply for this role please sign up for a recruitment account on our website. Follow the instructions to create your account, upload your CV, and complete our short application form.
Important Dates:
Closing date for applications; Midnight on 22 June 2025 however, VoiceAbility reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy before this date. 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. We look forward to hearing from you.
Contact Detail:
VoiceAbility Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Advocate - Social Security Scotland
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the principles of advocacy and the specific needs of the client group you'll be working with. Understanding the challenges faced by individuals in welfare and health care will help you demonstrate your commitment and readiness to support them effectively.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the advocacy and social care sectors. Attend local events or online webinars to connect with others who work in similar roles. This can provide valuable insights into the role and may even lead to recommendations or referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss real-life scenarios where you've supported individuals in need. Think about specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your skills in communication, empathy, and problem-solving, as these are crucial for an Advocate.
✨Tip Number 4
Research VoiceAbility's mission and values thoroughly. Being able to articulate how your personal values align with theirs during any discussions or interviews will show your genuine interest in the organisation and its goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Advocate - Social Security Scotland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Advocate position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience in welfare, support, or health and social care aligns with the role.
Craft a Compelling CV: Your CV should clearly showcase your relevant experience, skills, and qualifications. Emphasise any work or volunteer roles that involved advocacy, support for individuals with communication needs, or decision-making processes.
Write a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for advocacy and your desire to make a difference. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification.
Follow Application Instructions: Make sure to sign up for a recruitment account on the VoiceAbility website as instructed. Upload your CV and complete the application form carefully, ensuring all information is accurate and reflects your suitability for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at VoiceAbility
✨Understand the Role of Advocacy
Before your interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of what advocacy means, especially in the context of social security and support services. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities of an Advocate at VoiceAbility and think about how your experiences align with these.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous work or volunteer experiences in welfare, health, or social care. Be ready to provide specific examples of how you've supported individuals with various needs, particularly those with communication barriers or mental health issues.
✨Demonstrate Empathy and Communication Skills
As an Advocate, you'll need to show that you can effectively communicate and empathise with clients. During the interview, highlight instances where you've successfully helped someone express their needs or rights, and explain how you approached those situations.
✨Prepare Questions for Your Interviewers
Think of insightful questions to ask your interviewers about the role, the team, and the organisation's approach to advocacy. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.