Advocacy Officer

**Advocacy Officer**

Wirral Society of the Blind and Partially Sighted have been providing services in Wirral since 1989. We provide help, support and advice to everyone with a visual impairment. We are based in Ashville Lodge in Birkenhead.

As we continue to grow, an exciting opportunity has arisen for an additional Advocacy Officer to join the team. Reporting to the Centre Supervisor, you will be responsible for working alongside your fellow Advocacy Officer in order to deliver support and advice regarding finances to clients with sight loss.

**Responsibilities**
- Advise clients regarding general benefits & services appropriate to their situation so that clients can make fully informed decisions about whether and when to make a claim.
- Act for client where necessary by negotiating, drafting or writing letters and telephoning.
- Assist clients with the completion of any relevant documentation e.g. _benefit_ _claim forms._
- Conduct home visits with clients when required.
- Consult with other organisations & services on behalf of clients, such as debt advice services, housing authorities or social services, making referrals as necessary.
- Maintain accurate Advocacy Service data and records to ensure continuity of casework, information retrieval, statistical monitoring, and report preparation, in collaboration with the other advocacy officer.
- Produce relevant advocacy reports, statistics & anonymised case studies as required _e.g. for project funding for the Board of Directors._
- Maintain specialist knowledge of relevant policies, procedures & legislation relating to benefits, as well as undertake appropriate training.
- Deliver support to clients in an outreach setting including local community hubs.
- Deliver workshops or informational sessions on financial literacy, budgeting, and tenant rights to empower clients.
- Promote, encourage & facilitate self-help & independence for visually impaired (VI) people.
- Carry out any other duties as reasonably required by management to ensure the efficient running of WSBPS.
- Comply with the Confidentiality and Health & Safety policies of WSBPS & always display professional behaviour & appearance.
- A flexible approach to working and willingness to provide practical support in response to service requirements.
- Willingness to undertake training as required and develop awareness of visual impairment.
- An ability to display empathy with sight loss.
- Knowledge of the benefit system.

**Other desirables for the role**:

- Independent advocacy qualification or equivalent.
- Experience of working with vulnerable client groups.
- Knowledge of the local area, amenities and resources.
- Willingness to travel within local area, conducting home-based appointments and attending outreach hubs.

**Key Skills required**:

- Listening and communication
- Planning & Organisation
- Proficient IT/literacy skills

**Contract**:Fixed Term until November 2027 (with potential to extend)

**Salary**: £15,943.20 per year

**Hours of work**: 21 hours per week

Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30am to 4:30pm

Hours of work are flexible and can be discussed upon interview.

In return, we offer a competitive package, great teamwork, training, and development as required.

**Interviews will be taking place on Monday 28th July in person at our Ashville Lodge resource centre in Birkenhead.**
- **‘We are an equal opportunities employer’**_

**Job Type**: Part-time

Pay: £15,943.20 per year

Expected hours: 21 per week

**Benefits**:

- Free parking
- On-site parking

Schedule:

- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
- No weekends

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Birkenhead: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work authorisation:

- United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 07/07/2025
Reference ID: WSBPS/Advocacy06/25