Project Lead Advocate

Project Lead Advocate

Job Description

Based at: Home based / Bath office

Responsible to: Project Manager

Hours: 22.5 hours per week, days negotiable 

Salary: £21,638 pa (pro rata)

Contract: 12 month fixed contract

Annual Leave: Starting at 25 days per year plus Bank Holidays

Benefits: 6% pension, after 6 month qualifying period

Main Purpose

The Be Heard in BaNES  one year pilot project, funded by St John’s Foundation, will work alongside Bath and North East Somerset (BaNES) residents with moderate mental health problems- supporting individuals and groups to develop key self and peer advocacy skills and networks.

The Project Lead Advocate will facilitate workshops to be delivered ‘in-house’ (i.e. supported housing/domestic abuse refuges) supported by volunteers.

Following workshops the Project Lead Advocate will support the development and facilitation of a network of peer advocacy groups throughout BaNES.

Whilst supporting the groups the Project Lead Advocate will identify individuals interested in becoming Volunteer Peer Advocates, who will be provided with full induction, training, support and supervision.

The post is subject to satisfactory references and enhanced DBS check.

The post holder will be required to undertake the Certificate in Independent Advocacy (City & Guilds) if not already held.

Service Delivery

1. Deliver a high quality, responsive project which achieves the specific targets and outcomes set out in the project plan.
2. Facilitate and deliver the self advocacy programme.
3. Work with a team of volunteers; provide support and supervision to them.
4. Promote self-advocacy as a strategy to build confidence and independence for service users, encouraging them to play a fuller role in the community.  
5. Develop and support a network of peer advocacy groups throughout BaNES.
6. Network with other agencies in order to promote the project’s aims and ensure effective communication and joint working for the benefit of service users.
7. Ensure the delivery of services and projects is in line with St John’s Foundation funding requirements.
8. Promote the rights, equality, diversity and needs of service users by ensuring they are respected and valued as individuals.

Development

1. Work as part of the Be Heard in BaNES team to develop networks and relationships with key stakeholders to ensure the active promotion and effective delivery of the project.
2. Encourage and enable clients to become involved in all aspects of the planning and development of the project’s aims.
3. Gather and share information that will provide for the effective scoping and mapping of future self advocacy provision.
4. Support the development of volunteers to enable the successful roll out of the project and ongoing sustainability of the project’s aims.

Organisational/Personal Responsibilities

1. To adhere to and work within the guidelines set out in all organisation policies and procedures.
2. To contribute to the ongoing planning & development of the organisation.
3. To obtain the Independent Advocacy Qualification and participate in ongoing training to keep up to date with services, procedures, guidelines and legislation.
4. To take individual responsibility within the organisation for all relevant health and safety matters, and general organisational needs and issues.
5. To participate in regular team meetings and supervision.

The above describes the normal duties envisaged from the role of advocate. It is necessary however for all employees to be flexible in this respect, and all employees may, from time to time, be required by the organisation to cover other reasonable duties within the day to day running of the organisation.  Employees may also request to undertake other duties and responsibilities as part of their personal development within Swan.