Community Connex is a campaigning organisation and a multi-project service provider supporting adults, young people and children with learning disabilities, mental health issues and other disadvantages, along with their families and carers, to ensure their needs, rights and aspirations are met. Community Connex are seeking a Supervising Advocate – Parental Advocacy Specialist to lead advocacy services within the Families First for Children Pathfinder Programme and to provide critical support to parents, ensuring their voices are represented throughout their interaction with social services. The Role In this leadership role, you will deliver advocacy services for parents and other vulnerable adults, support the Service Manager with overall service delivery, and mentor team members to maintain high standards of advocacy practice. You'll be instrumental in raising awareness about advocacy services across Luton, actively engage with local authorities, and work closely with various health and social care professionals to enhance support for parents and vulnerable individuals. Key Responsibilities Oversee the Families First for Children Pathfinder Programme advocacy project and supervise the delivery of parental advocacy services. Manage and triage referrals, ensuring efficient case allocation across the team. Mentor, coach, and support the professional development of advocacy team members. Support clients in self-advocacy efforts, providing representation when needed, and assisting with statutory meetings. Monitor legislative changes related to child and adult welfare and advocate for policy updates as needed. What we are looking for: Experience in advocacy services, ideally with parents and vulnerable individuals. Knowledge of relevant legislation (e.g., Children Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act) and best practices in safeguarding. Strong leadership skills, with experience in coaching, mentoring, and managing team performance. Ability to prioritise and manage a diverse caseload while overseeing team functions. Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to effectively represent clients in key meetings. Familiarity with local authority processes and advocacy for client rights, including complaints and support services. What We Offer: Hybrid working with equipment provided Mileage expenses for travel Pension contribution up to 5% 23 days of annual leave bank holidays (increases after 2 years of service) Health cash plan Ongoing training and development opportunities Wellbeing Hub Blue light Card Cycle to work scheme Death in service insurance Please note: This vacancy is for a Mencap affiliated Network Partner and not for Royal Mencap Society. Network Partners sign up to a terms of membership and pay a membership fee to subscribe Royal Mencap Society’s Network, and each local group is a separate and independent charity within their own right. As part of the group’s membership, they have the opportunity to advertise their vacancies on the Royal Mencap Society jobs website. We encourage all applicants to apply directly to the group and the contact details provided by the group as stated on this job advert. If you choose to click on the “Apply” button, you give Royal Mencap Society consent to forward your application (CV) and your personal details to the relevant local group on your behalf. Your information will only be shared for the purpose of recruitment. Once your personal details have been shared you can request to have your details removed by contacting the Network Partner directly. Applicants interested in jobs advertised by affiliated Network Partners should note that any logos referring to quality standards apply to RMS only. If you have a question relating to a Network Partner’s quality accreditations, you should contact them directly. We wish you the best with your Network Partner application.