People First’s Independent Advocacy Department hosts a range of projects focussing on supporting people to have their voices heard and their rights and choices respected.

Driving: A car is essential for this role

Who we are

People First is an independent customer-led charitable organisation that has worked in Cumbria for over 30 years.

We are passionate about our values of equality, respect, and inclusion. We provide a wide range of support and information services across Cumbria, Lancashire, and Teesside, all aimed at helping people to live informed, respected, healthy and fulfilled lives. Our Head office is based in Carlisle, supported by offices in Barrow, Teesside, and Lancashire.

The Department
People First’s Independent Advocacy Department hosts a range of projects focussing on supporting people to have their voices heard and their rights and choices respected. This includes both statutory and non-statutory advocacy delivery and the Advocacy Hub which provides information and support to enable people and their referrers to access timely advocacy.

• Independent Advocacy is about supporting people to:

• Understand information and processes.

• Explore options and choices.

• Have their rights respected.

• Tell people what is important to them.

The Person

As a prerequisite, the successful candidate must believe in the core values of People First and be driven by our mission.

An opportunity has arisen for an Independent Advocate to join our department. The ideal person for this job will be:

• Passionate abouts Human Rights and fairness

• Be resilient.

• Be passionate and brave.

• Be able to stand side by side with a person in their most challenging times.

• Be organised and self-discipline whilst managing a case load.

We would love to hear from you if you are a ‘people person,’ who is able to work empathetically with a diverse range of customers and stakeholders, whilst maintaining the professional image of the department and wider organisation.

Qualifications

• Good all-round level of education

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Understanding of Advocacy and its purpose
• An understanding of the needs of people locally and issues faced by people accessing health and social care services.
• Ability to listen to, engage and communicate with people from diverse backgrounds, both face to face, written and over the telephone.
• Ability to display empathy.
• A high standard of written and verbal skills including the ability to write letters and reports.
• Willingness to undertake training, complete the National Advocacy Qualification and other training as identified.
• Positive attitude to a fast-paced working environment where tasks and systems need to be developed and updated on a regular and ongoing basis.
• Creative, flexible, and enthusiastic approach
• Commitment to providing a high-quality service centered on the needs of individuals who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Duties will include

• To support people to understand their rights and choices and explore options available to them.
• To work side by side with vulnerable peoples, always being on their side whilst creating positive relationships.
• To challenge and raise complaint, when necessary, alongside the person you are supporting.
• To work with professions from different disciplines from Health & Social care to third sector organisation.
• To manage and maintain a caseload, ensuring client files are monitored and updated, and clients are regularly informed of any action taken on their behalf.
• To keep abreast of relevant legislative changes and documentation, and the implications such changes may have for clients.

Other Duties

• Evening and weekend work may be required.
• The duties outlined above are not intended to be exhaustive and may change as the needs of the organisation alter in line with current agendas. Due to the developing nature of our organisation, we require staff to remain highly flexible in their approach, and work to meet the changing needs of the projects.

Please note driving and access to a car is essential for this role.

To Apply

If you’re interested in the role and think you’d be a good fit, we’d like to hear from you.

To apply for this position, please email a copy of your CV including details of two references, to [email protected], or alternatively, you can post for the attention of Barry to People First Conference Centre, Milbourne Street, Carlisle, CA2 5XB

All applications should be clearly marked:

Confidential – Independent Advocate - Teesside

To arrive no later than 5pm, 6^th February 2025