Job summary Salary:£30,559 - £32,654 Pro rata Hours per week:22.2 hours Interview date:Friday 21 March 2025 Quality Outcomes Innovating Stronger Outcomes We are looking for a passionate Independent Advocate to work with children and families across Wiltshire to ensure their rights are upheld and their voices heard in key decisions about their lives. Main duties of the job The Voice and Participation Service puts children and young people at the heart of all we do. You will work flexibly, sometimes outside office hours, to meet young people in places where they can feel most comfortable. As an Independent Advocate, you will be working closely with children in care, young carers and those with special educational needs or on child protection plans. You will provide vital guidance, help them through complicated systems and support them to express their views in meetings, complaints and decision-making processes. No two days will be the same - you might attend meetings with social workers, engage directly with young people or mentor volunteer advocates. We are looking for someone who has experience in advocacy, social care or youth work and is passionate about championing young people's rights. In return, we offer a supportive team, professional development opportunities and the chance to shape services that truly make a difference. About us Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. Thats why we focus on getting the things that matter to our people right. Date posted 26 February 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary £30,559 to £32,654 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time Reference number F0041-3589 Job locations Wiltshire Council Bythesea Road Trowbridge Wiltshire BA14 8JN Job description Job responsibilities The Independent Advocate will focus on championing the rights and needs of people that are in receipt of support from Family and Childrens Services, including children in foster care, children on CIN and CP plans, children with SEND and young carers. Working in a referral-based way the successful candidate will work closely with Volunteer Advocates and service users to ensure their voices are heard and their unique challenges addressed. Contacts and Relationships This position functions within a multi-agency framework, requiring the post holder to collaborate with colleagues across various service areas within Childrens Services, as well as other departments within the Council and external agencies. The role demands the ability to establish and maintain strong relationships with children and young people, engaging them effectively on complex and sensitive matters. The post holder will frequently advocate on behalf of children and young people, navigating challenging and contentious issues, with a high degree of tact and sensitivity. The individual in this role is expected to advocate for children and young people aged 5-18 years and at times up to 25 years old. This involves close collaboration with teams across the council, including social workers, foster carers, residential staff, and other care providers, often in situations that require careful handling due to their complexity and sensitivity. Responsibilities: To provide information, guidance, and advocacy support to service users of the Family and Childrens Directorate, informing them of their rights and arranging face to face meetings where this is required. Ensuring that this is age appropriate. Service Users include Children in Care, Children supported through a Child Protection Process, Children with SEND, young carers and parents who are being supported on a statutory plan. To provide specialist advocacy services as appropriate, predominantly Children and Young Peoples Advocacy, although you may, on occasion, be required to work within other advocacy specialisms. Advocates may deliver the service in many settings, in schools, colleges, residential placements and residential schools, hospital, foster placements, community and other relevant settings. To provide comprehensive advocacy services to children and young people who wish to file a complaint, ensuring that their perspectives are fully understood and articulated, seeking a fair and satisfactory resolution to any issues identified. To deliver dedicated support and guidance to children and young people subject to child protection plans, empowering them to effectively express their views and participate meaningfully in decision-making forums. To offer specialised support and guidance to children and young people in the care of Wiltshire Council, assisting them in voicing their concerns about their care arrangements and enabling them to actively participate in decision-making forums. This includes providing guidance and support to ensure their rights and best interests are represented and considered. To assess the advocacy support needs of those children and young people who are referred. To attend professional meetings either with the person being advocated for or on their behalf. To gather and accurately convey the wishes and feelings of children and young people, providing high-quality reports that enable professionals to clearly understand their views. To provide appropriate advocacy support to referrers. To promote the service to clients and relevant stakeholders. To independently plan and manage a caseload of children and young people, aligning with service priorities and deadlines, while ensuring the needs of individual children are prioritised. The role often involves working outside standard office hours, including evenings and weekends, and lone working. Additionally, the position may require travel outside the authority to meet with children and attend meetings. To be aware of current trends and issues around childrens services, health, and social care and around forms of advocacy. To keep up-to-date, accurate factual records relating to the service users and their ongoing support, using appropriate tracking systems and databases. To ensure strict confidentiality is maintained. To foster and develop professional links and good quality relations with statutory, and other agencies and the wider Voice and Participation Service. Some networking will be essential; however, the post holder will be required to be independent and solely focused on the wishes and feelings of those they are advocating for. To attend Locality Team and other meetings, assisting the Team Manager to prepare operational reports relating to the service when required.. To work as a team member sharing skills and contributing to the smooth running and good reputation of the organisation. To take an active part in training volunteers, students, and peer advocates. To mentor and provide shadowing opportunities for volunteers, students, and peer advocates. Job description Job responsibilities The Independent Advocate will focus on championing the rights and needs of people that are in receipt of support from Family and Childrens Services, including children in foster care, children on CIN and CP plans, children with SEND and young carers. Working in a referral-based way the successful candidate will work closely with Volunteer Advocates and service users to ensure their voices are heard and their unique challenges addressed. Contacts and Relationships This position functions within a multi-agency framework, requiring the post holder to collaborate with colleagues across various service areas within Childrens Services, as well as other departments within the Council and external agencies. The role demands the ability to establish and maintain strong relationships with children and young people, engaging them effectively on complex and sensitive matters. The post holder will frequently advocate on behalf of children and young people, navigating challenging and contentious issues, with a high degree of tact and sensitivity. The individual in this role is expected to advocate for children and young people aged 5-18 years and at times up to 25 years old. This involves close collaboration with teams across the council, including social workers, foster carers, residential staff, and other care providers, often in situations that require careful handling due to their complexity and sensitivity. Responsibilities: To provide information, guidance, and advocacy support to service users of the Family and Childrens Directorate, informing them of their rights and arranging face to face meetings where this is required. Ensuring that this is age appropriate. Service Users include Children in Care, Children supported through a Child Protection Process, Children with SEND, young carers and parents who are being supported on a statutory plan. To provide specialist advocacy services as appropriate, predominantly Children and Young Peoples Advocacy, although you may, on occasion, be required to work within other advocacy specialisms. Advocates may deliver the service in many settings, in schools, colleges, residential placements and residential schools, hospital, foster placements, community and other relevant settings. To provide comprehensive advocacy services to children and young people who wish to file a complaint, ensuring that their perspectives are fully understood and articulated, seeking a fair and satisfactory resolution to any issues identified. To deliver dedicated support and guidance to children and young people subject to child protection plans, empowering them to effectively express their views and participate meaningfully in decision-making forums. To offer specialised support and guidance to children and young people in the care of Wiltshire Council, assisting them in voicing their concerns about their care arrangements and enabling them to actively participate in decision-making forums. This includes providing guidance and support to ensure their rights and best interests are represented and considered. To assess the advocacy support needs of those children and young people who are referred. To attend professional meetings either with the person being advocated for or on their behalf. To gather and accurately convey the wishes and feelings of children and young people, providing high-quality reports that enable professionals to clearly understand their views. To provide appropriate advocacy support to referrers. To promote the service to clients and relevant stakeholders. To independently plan and manage a caseload of children and young people, aligning with service priorities and deadlines, while ensuring the needs of individual children are prioritised. The role often involves working outside standard office hours, including evenings and weekends, and lone working. Additionally, the position may require travel outside the authority to meet with children and attend meetings. To be aware of current trends and issues around childrens services, health, and social care and around forms of advocacy. To keep up-to-date, accurate factual records relating to the service users and their ongoing support, using appropriate tracking systems and databases. To ensure strict confidentiality is maintained. To foster and develop professional links and good quality relations with statutory, and other agencies and the wider Voice and Participation Service. Some networking will be essential; however, the post holder will be required to be independent and solely focused on the wishes and feelings of those they are advocating for. To attend Locality Team and other meetings, assisting the Team Manager to prepare operational reports relating to the service when required.. To work as a team member sharing skills and contributing to the smooth running and good reputation of the organisation. To take an active part in training volunteers, students, and peer advocates. To mentor and provide shadowing opportunities for volunteers, students, and peer advocates. Person Specification Experience Essential High level of relevant and practical experience acquired on the job. An advanced understanding of relevant procedures and working practices. Advanced knowledge of specialist function relevant to service area. Excellent ICT skills including use of Microsoft applications and specialist systems. Significant experience of working with clients and client groups with complex needs. Proven ability to carry out client risk assessments to identify eligibility for service provision and/or risk of harm. Proven ability to advise and guide clients to encourage development and to access services to which they are entitled. Ability to build trust and confidence with clients, client groups and colleagues. Proven ability to interpret situations, analyse behaviours to make judgements and deliver interventions to achieve outcomes. Proven ability to deliver training. Qualifications Essential Educated to HNC or NVQ level 4 or equivalent experience in a social care, health, or a youth work environment. Level 4 Qualification in Advocacy, or willing to work towards this qualification. Strong understanding of trauma and how this may impact on the lives of service users. Strong commitment and experience of working with children and young people and have an understanding of the factors that affect their lives. Ability to communicate and establish good relationships with service users including those who have special needs or a disability, dealing with people confidently, sensitively, and diplomatically. Experience of working with looked after children and young people. Knowledge and understanding of the legislative framework underpinning childcare practice and service provision, including the Children Act 1989 and associated guidance relating to looked after children. Demonstrable evidence of continued professional development, including training around Advocacy. Demonstratable experience of dealing with difficult situations in a calm and productive way. Awareness and understanding of relevant legislation and national guidelines. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex and/or sensitive information in an understandable way, using a variety of methods across a range of audiences. Analytical skills with ability of interpreting information and situations and developing plans and solutions. Excellent ICT skills with good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel, and PowerPoint. Practical and flexible. Personable and able to relate to a wide range of people. Ability to work on own initiative or as part of a team. Ability to determine priorities, manage time and ensure deadlines are met. Operate in accordance with confidentiality and data protection legislation. Strong commitment to safeguarding and quality outcomes for children, young people, and their families. Commitment to equal opportunities and anti-oppressive practice. Desirable Specialist skills in communicating with disabled children with communication needs. Possess a good level of understanding of Deprivation of Liberty (DoL) as it pertains to working with children. Strong knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, in relation to children and young people. Experience in child advocacy, social work, law, or a related field, with a focus on supporting vulnerable children and families. Person Specification Experience Essential High level of relevant and practical experience acquired on the job. An advanced understanding of relevant procedures and working practices. Advanced knowledge of specialist function relevant to service area. Excellent ICT skills including use of Microsoft applications and specialist systems. Significant experience of working with clients and client groups with complex needs. Proven ability to carry out client risk assessments to identify eligibility for service provision and/or risk of harm. Proven ability to advise and guide clients to encourage development and to access services to which they are entitled. Ability to build trust and confidence with clients, client groups and colleagues. Proven ability to interpret situations, analyse behaviours to make judgements and deliver interventions to achieve outcomes. Proven ability to deliver training. Qualifications Essential Educated to HNC or NVQ level 4 or equivalent experience in a social care, health, or a youth work environment. Level 4 Qualification in Advocacy, or willing to work towards this qualification. Strong understanding of trauma and how this may impact on the lives of service users. Strong commitment and experience of working with children and young people and have an understanding of the factors that affect their lives. Ability to communicate and establish good relationships with service users including those who have special needs or a disability, dealing with people confidently, sensitively, and diplomatically. Experience of working with looked after children and young people. Knowledge and understanding of the legislative framework underpinning childcare practice and service provision, including the Children Act 1989 and associated guidance relating to looked after children. Demonstrable evidence of continued professional development, including training around Advocacy. Demonstratable experience of dealing with difficult situations in a calm and productive way. Awareness and understanding of relevant legislation and national guidelines. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex and/or sensitive information in an understandable way, using a variety of methods across a range of audiences. Analytical skills with ability of interpreting information and situations and developing plans and solutions. Excellent ICT skills with good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel, and PowerPoint. Practical and flexible. Personable and able to relate to a wide range of people. Ability to work on own initiative or as part of a team. Ability to determine priorities, manage time and ensure deadlines are met. Operate in accordance with confidentiality and data protection legislation. Strong commitment to safeguarding and quality outcomes for children, young people, and their families. Commitment to equal opportunities and anti-oppressive practice. Desirable Specialist skills in communicating with disabled children with communication needs. Possess a good level of understanding of Deprivation of Liberty (DoL) as it pertains to working with children. Strong knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, in relation to children and young people. Experience in child advocacy, social work, law, or a related field, with a focus on supporting vulnerable children and families. Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Employer details Employer name Wiltshire Council Address Wiltshire Council Bythesea Road Trowbridge Wiltshire BA14 8JN Employer's website http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)