Advocacy is a powerful force for change. It allows individuals to have their voices heard and respected when decisions are being made about their health and social care. It raises awareness of people’s rights and entitlements and empowers people to advocate for themselves or speak up for them when they can’t.

The Advocacy People are an independent, Human Rights based charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy, advocacy-related and Healthwatch services who make sure people are heard when it matters most.

You can find out more about advocacy and what we do on our website here.

Being an advocate makes a difference, so if you’re hoping for a rewarding, varied, interesting role as part of a friendly, supportive team, read on!

About The Role

Advocates support people to express their views, understand their rights and make informed decisions. Much of their work is with some of the most vulnerable in our society who cannot speak up for themselves and have no family members or friends who can do so. Most of what we do operates within the legislative frameworks of the Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Mental Health Act, and NHS Health Complaints process.

We are looking to recruit a permanent, multi-skilled advocate to join our Kent team, working 37 hours per week (full time), part-time hours considered, a minimum of 30 hours, starting salary of £23,314 per annum (pro rata).

The post is multi-disciplinary and will cover all forms of advocacy but with a focus on IMHA (Independent Mental Health Advocacy).

What We Need From You

Putting people at the heart of what you do, you will work with people from across our communities. How you work will depend on each individual so the ability to communicate in a variety of ways, verbally and non-verbally, with clients and professionals, is key to success.

You may or may not have direct experience of this in your own life, or in another role, or have relevant qualifications but this isn’t a problem as we can offer training. We’re looking for people who are creative, flexible and organised, able to balance direct work with people with important administrative tasks.

As this role is home-based with regular travel, mainly but not exclusively, in the Thanet/East Kent area, we need you to be based within the Kent boundary as, if living out of the county, you will only be reimbursed expenses from the border.

You must have access to both a stable home broadband service and good mobile signal, a full driving licence and your own transport as well as flexibility with working hours.

What Happens Next

If you’d like to know more, the full job description and information about how to apply can be found on our website here.

Anyone joining our team is subject to The Advocacy People’s Safer Recruitment pre-appointment checks. Applicants invited to interview will need to bring evidence (photographic where possible) of their right to work in the UK and new employee start dates will only be confirmed once other mandatory checks, including the appropriate DBS clearance and 2 satisfactory references, one of which will need to be from your most recent or current employer, have been received.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Closing Date: 9 am 17th February 2025

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Interview venue: MS Teams

If you would like to discuss the role further, please contact Lauren Fernandez at: Lauren.Fernandez@theadvocacypeople.org.uk or tel: 07392 196704

The Company

The Advocacy People and Healthwatch share core values which are all about people’s voices: empowering people to speak up; amplifying service user voices; enabling people to take part in, and influence, decision-making about health and social care; and providing information which helps people make informed decisions. As an independent charity grounded in Human Rights principles, we take pride in being one of the UK's foremost providers of advocacy and Healthwatch services. We're on a mission to make sure that when it truly matters, everyone's voice counts. Together, we support those who often feel sidelined, helping them shape decisions that affect their lives and communities.

Come and be a part of our welcoming community, where your voice matters and your contributions make a real difference.

EDI

By embracing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, we can build a stronger, more resilient organisation and work together to create a more just and equitable society. We invite all members of our community to join us in this important journey toward positive change."

Registered charity no.: 1080679.

NB: The Advocacy People reserves the right to bring forward the closing date if it believes sufficient applications are received to make an appointment.

The Benefits

employee discount scheme

Training & Development

Employee assistance programme

Documents

The Advocacy People

New Jobs

Advocate (Multi disciplinary) – up to 37 hours per week (minimum 30 hours)