Independent Statutory Advocate
Hours: 37 hours per week
Annual Leave: 21 days per year rising to 26 days with service plus bank holidays plus 3 discretionary days at Christmas.
Salary: £22,060 – £24,304 depending on qualifications and experience.
Responsible to: Advocacy Manager
Location: Working in the Swindon area with occasional regional travel.
Swindon Advocacy Movement provides an independent accessible advocacy service in the Swindon area.
For requesting the application pack, please send an email to info@swindonadvocacy.org.uk
Closing date for applications is midday Friday 19th November 2021 for interviews being held Friday 26th November 2021.
Purpose of Role
• To undertake Statutory Advocacy casework always acting within legal frameworks of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, its related Code of Practice, The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Code of Practice, and The Care Act 2014.
• To support and represent vulnerable clients in matters relating to or connected with their care and support needs, and or their deprivation of liberty.
• To support the Advocacy Manager in promoting and developing our Advocacy Service.
Main Duties:
• To act as an Independent Statutory Advocate as defined by the Mental Capacity Act 2005, DOLS and The Care Act 2014.
• Provide Independent Advocacy adhering to the principles of the Advocacy Charter.
• To support and represent people who are deemed to lack capacity and are eligible to access the service in key ‘best interest’ decisions.
• To support processes to ensure that their wishes, feelings, beliefs and needs are taken into account, leading to strong outcomes for the individual.
• To obtain and provide information, support and representation to individuals to help understand what is being considered around their care and support and the impact of any decisions that might be made.
• To use a range of communication methods and consultation to ascertain the persons wishes and feelings about the key decision.
• To identify the different options available for the person and identify and advocate which option would be their preference.
• To support and represent individual’s views and wishes: at meetings relating to the decision, through written and verbal correspondence and in liaison with other agencies i.e. Medical professionals and health and social care professionals.
• To ensure that the decision makers are aware of all the factors that are relevant to a person’s best interests and challenge decisions where necessary.
• To support service users to make complaints about decisions and to access advice regarding taking a case to court.
• To prepare a report for the local authority outlining any concerns which may arise about the way in which decisions have been made or about the outcome itself.
• To raise any safeguarding issues in accordance with SAM’s safeguarding policy with the local authority.
• To deliver independent advocacy in line with instructed and non-instructed advocacy principles.
• To advocate on behalf of the relevant persons in matters relating to or connected with their deprivation of liberty (DOLS).
Other Responsibilities:
• To maintain clear and accurate case files.
• To produce monitoring reports as requested by the Manager and in line with SAM monitoring requirements.
• To keep abreast of relevant Legislation, Local and National Policy and treatment modalities and any other relevant developments in IMCA and DOLS/LPS and The Care Act.
• Where appropriate to represent the organisation and service at relevant meetings, events, conferences.
• Work with the Advocacy Manager to raise awareness of the IMCA and Relevant Persons Representative service, The Care Act and the role of advocacy and help to develop and maintain appropriate links at a variety of levels with other agencies.
• To attend monthly SAM team meetings as required by the CEO.
• To complete nationally coordinated and accredited advocacy training and all locally provided training, as needed.
• To uphold the aim, vision, policy and procedures of Swindon Advocacy Movement.
• To be flexible to the needs of the clients and the organisation as a whole. They should be prepared to undertake any other duties as required in line with the grading of the post and within the remit of the aims of the charity.
This job description may be revised on appointment into post and following consultation with the post holder.
The post is subject to a six month probationary period.
The safety and wellbeing of our service users and colleagues is our priority. It is a condition of employment for anyone joining us in a front-line role that they have either had the recommended Covid-19 vaccine or agree to have it when offered by the NHS. We also require all staff to undertake regular testing to ensure the safety of service users and staff.
Swindon Advocacy Movement is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Swindon Advocacy Movement expects all staff and volunteers to share that commitment.
Qualified Independent Advocate – Bank Staff
We are always happy to hear from qualified advocates who wish to join our bank staff for Spot-Purchased Advocacy Services, please see below for more information:
Hours: Various
Salary: Hourly equivalent to £21,734 – £23,188 pro rata depending on qualifications and experience.
Responsible to: Advocacy Manager or Children and Family Advocacy Manager
Location: Working in the Swindon, Wiltshire and Gloucester area
Purpose of Role:
- To undertake short term advocacy casework for children, young people and adults with care and support needs.
Why become a bank independent advocate?
People join our bank register for many different reasons:
- The need for flexible working arrangements to achieve a better work/life balance
- Being able to choose when to work and what client base
- The possibility of a gradual return to work after a break
- Wanting to earn some extra money
- The desire to gain more skills and experience in a wholeheartedly rewarding career
- Using the experience as a ‘stepping stone’ to a permanent role
- To keep your experience and advocacy qualifications up to date
For more information please phone 01793 542575 and ask for Rachel Hill, Advocacy Manager or Colette O’Sullivan, Children and Families Advocacy Manager
