Lead Advocate

Background to the role

AUKEL are recruiting a new Lead Advocate. We are looking to develop our advocacy offer to meet the complex needs of local residents in a challenging environment in a sustainable way. Our Lead advocate will work with colleagues, partners and service users to develop a sustainable model that ensures East Londoners have their voices heard and choices respected in all decisions made with them.

Job description

Job Purpose

· To work as part of the Advice and Advocacy team coordinating the advocacy service, providing both statutory and, where appropriate, non-statutory advocacy for eligible service users across East London.

· Using your excellent knowledge of related legislation, including the Care Act, the Mental Capacity Act, and DoLS you will support vulnerable adults in making decisions, having their voice heard and ensuring their rights are upheld.

Key Tasks

· To ensure that service users are aware of their options and can make informed decisions with accurate, and up-to-date information concerning relevant legislation.

· To ensure that referrals are triaged appropriately to volunteers or referred to other agencies

· To challenge decisions made by third parties for service users.

· To work with partner agencies, professionals and service users whilst maintaining their own caseload of statutory and non-statutory cases, focused on issues and outcomes.

· To help to develop and implement a sustainable long-term plan for the advocacy service.

· To develop the relationship with our partners, Rethink Advocacy, Tower Hamlets Connect and others.

· To ensure that the experience of service users is positive and rewarding.

· To maintain accurate case records.

· To complete required monitoring reports and RPR report writing.

· To support with recruitment and supervision of volunteers assigned to the service.

Quality

To work with the Head of Advice and Advocacy to maintain Quality Performance Mark certification.

General

· To meet regularly with line manager for support, supervision and appraisal.

· To attend team and staff meetings, (and other meetings) as required.

· To undertake any other duties within the competence of the post holder as may be required from time to time for the continued smooth running of Age UK East London.

· To undertake all training required to fulfil the role.

· To carry out the duties of the post in accordance with Age UK's East London's policies and procedures including EDI, Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Complaints, GDPR, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults.

Functional Links

· This role reports to the Head of Advice and Advocacy and will have close functional links to the Information and Advice Team and Tower Hamlets Connect service.

· Close working with peers across partner organisations.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

· High level of experience in similar work within the health and social care sector.

· Experience of working with vulnerable adults

· Experience of delivering to quality assurance frameworks , e.g. QPM

Desirable

· Experience of working in community partnerships.

· Experience of supporting volunteers.

Knowledge & Understanding

Essential

· Understanding of the impact of discrimination and disadvantage on the lives of people and ability to work in a trauma-informed manner.

· Understanding and commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and their carers.

· Knowledge and understanding of the principles of person-centred practice.

· Knowledge of all relevant legislation including the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, Equality Act, Human Rights Act.

Skills/Attributes

Essential

· Independent Advocacy Qualification Level 3

· Care Act Advocacy Qualification

· Intermediate IT skills

· Can demonstrate AUKEL values (accountable, kind, flexible, inclusive, collaborative) in the way the service is delivered.

· Commitment to learning and development and reflective practise.

· Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and integrity.

· Excellent interpersonal skills.

· Ability to present to groups.

· Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

· Ability to prioritise and manage time and resources effectively.

Desirable

Independent Mental Capacity qualification

Additional Requirements

· This post is subject to the relevant check through the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)

· Flexibility in working hours to meet organisational needs.

· Ability to travel across AUKEL's delivery sites.

Employment Details

Contract type

This contracted post is for 35 hours per week (working day pattern to be decided) and may require some out of hours or weekend work as required. We welcome application for flexible working including reduced hours and other flexible working arrangements.

Location

The post holder will be mostly based at 82 Russia Lane, London E2 9LU

Salary Between £31,930 and £35,020 Plus 5% employer pension contribution.

We have recently introduced a salary bands system. This salary range refers to the lowest and top steps of the grade. Salary will progress every year until the top salary is reached.

Holiday entitlement

25 days (pro-rata for contracted hours) of paid holiday per year plus bank holidays. This increases after two years of service to 27 days, and then a further one day per every year of service up to a maximum of 30 days after five years of service. In addition, all employees are entitled to one day off on (or around) their Birthday.

Conditions of employment

The job offer is subject to the receipt of two satisfactory Employment References, an enhanced DBS Check and evidence of relevant Qualification.

How We Value Our People

Learning and development

We are committed to supporting our staff through a variety of training, e-learning, workshop and shadowing. A training needs assessment is carried out annually. During the appraisal and reviewed during supervision. The majority of vacancies are advertised internally to encourage staff to progress their careers within the charity.

Flexible working policy

We welcome flexible working requests from day one and anyone can make as many requests as they wish to.

Family Friendly Policy

We have a competitive Family Friendly Policy which includes maternity, paternity adoption and shared parental leave. We have an enhanced maternity and paternity pay policy based on the length of service.

Sick leave policy

We also have a competitive sick pay policy which will give you up to 4 months full pay and 4 months half pay after 4 years of service.

Death in service insurance

We have a Death in service insurance which will help your family to cope financially should something happen to you while employed with us.

Employee assistance programme

We offer an Employee Assistance programme called WeCare which includes 24/7 online GP, Get fit programme, Mental health support, Financial and legal guidance.

Menopause and menstrual policy

The policy supports employees in their ability to adequately self-care during their period and menopause, while not being penalised by having to deplete their sick leave. Birthday policy

Open Door policy

The purpose of policy is to encourage open communication, feedback, and discussion about any matter of importance to an employee.

Wellbeing policy

The policy is aimed to promote mental wellbeing among staff and volunteers and tackle the causes of work-related mental health problems.

Duncan Robertson Award

For the outstanding contribution to the wellbeing of older people.

Cycle to work scheme

The scheme allows employees to obtain commuter bikes and cycling accessories through their employer, whilst spreading the cost over 12 months and making unbeatable savings through a tax break

Next Steps

To apply, please send us a CV together with a supporting statement that addresses the person specification (maximum two pages of A4). Applications should be made via our website.

You should give the names, positions, organisations and telephone contact numbers of two referees, relevant to this role. References will only be taken once your express permission has been granted.

Finally, please ensure that you have included mobile, work and home telephone numbers, as well as any problems you might have with the proposed interview dates.

Recruitment Timetable:

Deadline to receive applications: 4th September 2024 at 5.00pm

1st stage interviews: Week commencing 16th September 2024

Have any questions? If you want to find out more about the recruitment process or the role, please contact our HR department.