Children's Advocate

**We have two fantastic opportunities at our Advocacy service based around Crystal Palace. Offering full time, permanent contracts, we're looking for two Children's Advocates to join our team offering crucial independent advice to children and young people in care - would you like the chance to have a real positive impact on the local community?**

**As a Children's Advocate, you will**:

- Empower children and young people experiencing the care system, to make sure that their rights are respected and their voices are heard at all times.
- Represent the views, wishes and needs of children and young people, helping them to navigate the social care system at a very challenging time for the individual.
- Manage a caseload and act as a key worker for specific individuals, advising them and representing their views, writing reports, and taking a person-centred approach to preparation and monitoring of plans.

Barnardo's Children Rights is a multidisciplinary service which provides Independent Visitor (IV) and Advocacy services to children in care. The IV and Advocacy services are separate provisions which are housed under the umbrella of Children Rights in Barnardo's. It seeks to empower young people by - amongst others; supporting them to access legal advice, access information about the care system, support with accessing housing and improving communication with professionals involved in their care.

The Advocacy service, often responds to urgent referrals where prompt action and negotiation with a number of professionals is needed. Most Children's Advocate cases close within 3 months as we aim to achieve a timely resolution for young people. Most of our cases are fast turning and thus you would be expected to work in a dynamic environment. Children and young people are at the centre of our work and we operate to a high degree of confidentiality and safeguarding.
- Experience of direct work with vulnerable children and young people
- Experience of advocating on behalf of vulnerable children, young people and or/adults
- The ability to analyse information and write clearly and accurately, in order to complete case recordings to a 5 day recording policy
- Excellent interpersonal and team work skills
- Strong IT skills

Whilst your base will be in Crystal Palace, our services expand across London and sometimes we support children who are placed around the UK. Some travel and working hours' flexibility will be needed.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Salary**: £28,283.00-£31,314.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Additional leave
- Employee discount
- Sick pay
- Store discount

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: 17589