Children's independent advocate

We are currently seeking a Children’s Independent Advocate 

The purpose of this service: 

The purpose of this service is to provide high-quality, independent advocacy to enable improved outcomes for looked after children, children subject to child protection planning and care leavers up to the age of 25; and children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), who have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and do not have appropriate representation

Benefits of the being a Children’s Advocate: 

• Part-Time hours – 15 per week.  
• Office/School working hours, with occasional weekend requirements 
• Paid Holiday allowance 
• Pension Scheme  
• Generous salary and travel expenses paid (Salary: £9,217 per annum) 
• Full Training and Ongoing support provided  
• Social and fun company to work for  
• Develop new skills to set you up, to further your personal or professional aspirations  
• Hugely rewarding working with children and young people  
• Matched Advocacy opportunities 
• Chance to make a real impact and a huge difference  
• Refer a friend scheme  
• Personal development plans 

What is involved in being a Children’s Advocate?

• Help make children and young people feel heard and confident  
• Support children and young people so their voices are heard at Child Protection conferences & LAC review meetings  
• Be capable of building rapport with a child or young person  
• Assisting children with raising complaints if they feel they need to  
• Advocating on behalf of young people in different care settings  
• Basic understanding of social care and disabilities would be desirable but not necessary 
• Flexibility to fit in with the young person’s availability alongside your own commitments  
• Clean driving licence and access to your car or good transport links to Surrey and the surrounding areas
• Calm and confident in how you communicate and negotiate  
• Basic computer skills are necessary 
• Previous experience of working with children and young people is desirable 
• Undertake an enhanced DBS check if successful through the application  
• Organisation of plans and record-keeping  

Person Specification

Skills, Attributes, Knowledge and Experience:

You have: 

• Strong computer skills necessary to support the activities of the service – e.g. work processing/processing emails.
• Ability to keep accurate records of all work.
• Effective communication and negotiating skills. 
• Previous experience of working directly with children and young people in an Advocacy setting 
• Knowledge and understanding of young people in the care system and relevant legislation.
• An ability to relate to young people.
• Experience of work with children and young people and of promoting their rights. 
• An understanding of Safeguarding and child protection. 
• A commitment to equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. 
• Clean driving licence and access to a car. 
• Flexibility to working outside office hours. 
• A satisfactory enhanced DBS check. 

If you are committed to your own professional development and active participation in gaining further knowledge and skills then we would love to hear from you