Independent Advocate

Salary: £31,537 - £33,699 pro rata

Hours per week: 14.8 hours

Interview date: Week commencing Monday 06 July 2026

We are looking for a passionate Independent Advocate to work with children and families across Wiltshire to ensure their rights are upheld and their voices heard in key decisions about their lives. The Voice and Participation Service puts children and young people at the heart of all we do. You will work flexibly, sometimes outside office hours, to meet young people in places where they can feel most comfortable.

As an Independent Advocate, you will be working closely with children in care, young carers and those with special educational needs or on child protection plans. You will provide vital guidance, help them through complicated systems and support them to express their views in meetings, complaints and decision-making processes. No two days will be the same - you might attend meetings with social workers, engage directly with young people.

We are looking for someone who has experience in advocacy, social care or youth work and is passionate about championing young people's rights. In return, we offer a supportive team, professional development opportunities and the chance to shape services that truly make a difference.

Why us? Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. Our hybrid working model means office staff are on site for at least half their hours, community-based staff carry out at least half their admin time in a workplace, and customer‑facing roles work entirely from their service location. We are committed to creating a workplace where positive relationships thrive and everyone feels engaged, supported and able to do their best. We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying or harassment. Everyone is expected to promote a culture of inclusion, dignity, trust and respect, guided by our vision and Our Identity.

Contact details: Jesnie Barry, Independent Visitor Scheme Manager, at Jesnie.Barry@wiltshire.gov.uk. Please ensure to regularly check your spam or junk folder for any communication from us regarding the status of your application.

Application criteria: Please download and read the role description and person specification carefully before you apply. We understand that AI tools can support you in preparing job applications. However, we value authenticity and would encourage you to ensure your submission genuinely reflects your own experiences, skills, and motivations.

While we welcome applications from job seekers who require skilled worker sponsorship, we are not able to issue a defined certificate of sponsorship due to limitations in our sponsorship capacity. We are firmly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and to the principles of inclusion and diversity in both employment and the delivery of services.

Statement of commitment to equality and inclusion: Disability Confident Employer.

Application process: Wiltshire Council does not accept unsolicited CVs or candidate details from recruitment agencies that are not appointed under a current, valid contract or approved supplier arrangement (including through our neutral vendor, Comensura). Submission of unsolicited CVs or candidate details to the Council, whether directly or to individual employees, will not be considered as an introduction and will not create any obligation on the Council to pay any fees. If a candidate whose details have been submitted speculatively is subsequently appointed through a compliant route, no agency fee will be payable in respect of the unsolicited submission. Agencies wishing to work with the Council must do so only via our approved procurement processes and neutral vendor arrangements.