Join TeamRAD and make a difference RAD has a fantastic opportunity for a Sessional Advocate to join its team. This is a community-based role where you will predominantly be travelling in and around Derbyshire as well as some remote areas so the ideal candidate would be within commutable distance within these regions but also willing to travel further afield ad-hoc where required. This is a sessional role with an hourly rate of between £12 - £13 per hour depending on experience. About the role: As an Advocate your main responsibility is to take action to help deaf people share what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests, and obtain services they require. Working together with those we support and advocate on their behalf in line with the responsibilities of an advocate. The Advocacy team is small but continuously growing and therefore willingness to travel further afield ad-hoc as well as flexibility will be important to the role. Responsibilities as our Advocate will include: Provide person centred advocacy in line with the Advocacy Charter and Code of Practice. Ensure that important information is shared at the start of all new advocacy relationship, e.g. An explanation of the nature and extent of the advocacy role Clarification of advocacy boundaries Information about the organisation and an accessible copy of the Code of Practice How to make a complaint (and associated policy) Refer clients to colleagues where specific advocacy specialisms may be required, e.g. Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) Take all appropriate steps to avoid any conflicts of interest Gather and present up to date and accurate information that will support clients to make informed choices Ensure clients wishes are understood and accurately represented and that they are at the heart of decisions made about their care and support Ensure that local authorities comply with their duties under The Care Act. For example, appointing an Advocate to support a deaf person where they are subject to a safeguarding enquiry or Safeguarding Adult Review. Only take action to represent a client’s expressed views and wishes where instructed to do so (instructed advocacy) Agree a plan of action, with timescales and outcomes (maintain flexibility) Where a client lacks capacity to instruct (non-instructed advocacy), use relevant legislation e.g. Mental Capacity Act 2005 - 5 statutory principles and best interests checklist and other relevant legislation and guidance to effectively advocate. Follow the process of supported decision making to ensure the client is as involved in decision making, about them, as much as possible. Ensure a person’s fundamental human rights are respected and upheld at all times. Challenge health, social care and other service providers and decision makers to promote a person-centred approach. Promote self-advocacy where appropriate. Coordinate and plan support, group activities, events and workshops where required Gather, record and submit impactful case studies and the required consents, demonstrating positive outcomes. Support with creation of promotional clips or other promotional materials in line with project expectations. Essential requirements we’re looking for in a Sessional Advocate: Native sign language user or ability to sign to a minimum standard of Level 2. Safeguarding training/qualification as well as experience of safeguarding A willingness to undertake additional training/qualifications that are relevant to the post Experience of working with deaf people or within the deaf community and an understanding of deaf awareness and deaf culture Experience and understanding of the barriers faced by deaf people Experience of providing person centre services – that are outcomes focussed Experience of challenging decisions in an advocacy setting Experience of working independently Confidently able to advocate the needs and wishes of the people who we support Proactive and creative approach to the development and delivery of person-centred support Flexible in approach to working including evenings and weekends or bank holidays if required Car owner/driver Must undergo an enhanced DBS check A minimum level 2 award in Advocacy is essential and Level 4 certificate would be desirable however training will be provided. If you have a positive attitude, a flexible approach and would like to join our team as a Sessional Advocate, we’d love to hear from you.