Advocate

The Vacancy

We are looking to recruit two part-time Advocate(s), each working 28 hours per week, to provide independent and confidential advocacy to children and young people under the care of the Local Authority in Norfolk.

You will work with looked after children and young people to empower them to express their wishes and feelings in decisions that affect their lives to ensure that their voices are heard.

Your role is to listen to them, hear how they feel and what it is they want and support them by promoting their understanding of outcomes and options that are available to them so they can make informed decisions whilst ensuring that their legal rights are upheld and that they are treated fairly.

You will do this by:

• Attending decision making meetings with the young person and ensuring that others know how the young person is feeling and what it is they want.
• Providing impartial information to the young person.
• Assisting the young person making a complaint.
• Asking question to other professionals on behalf of the young person.
• Signposting to other relevant services.

About you

We are looking for someone who shares our passion in changing the lives of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

You will have experience in working with all or some of these groups within a relevant setting and have the ability to communicate effectively with them and other professionals. You will also understand the importance of maintaining professionalism.

You will also live within the geographical area in order to fulfil the requirements of the role.

We understand that you may or may not have significant direct experience and this isn’t a problem as we can offer full training and you will be supported by NYAS in obtaining an Advocacy qualification.

When completing the application form, it is important that you refer to the person specification within the job description and detail how you can evidence the criteria.

The job description can be located at the bottom of this page.

NYAS operates robust safe procedures to ensure the protection of the children, young people and adults at risk we work with. To comply with NYAS’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, references and a Digital Risk Assessment.

In accordance with UK immigration law, NYAS is required to ensure that all prospective candidates have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom. Therefore, proof of eligibility to work in the UK will be required as part of the recruitment process.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early once we receive a high number of applications.

About NYAS

As an established leading rights-based charity, NYAS (National Youth Advocacy Service) is well positioned to ensure that children, young people, and adults across England and Wales are fully respected, represented, and supported in expressing their views and having their rights upheld.

We work with care-experienced children, young people, and adults who are often reliant on statutory services suffering the negative impact of the cuts in public expenditure. Our combination of social care and legal services places us in a unique position to ensure that they receive the services they need and that their voices are heard.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment which means NYAS welcomes applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or belief, or any other protected characteristic.

 NYAS is proud to share that we are a Disability Confident Employer and we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies.

Work with us to help change young lives.