Job Title: Lead Advocate
Salary: £27,878.76 FTE, pro-rata for 20 hours per week
Hours: 20 hours per week
Contract: Permanent, subject to funding
Location: York, with travel to various locations across the city
Reporting to: Charity Director
Responsible for: Supporting volunteer advocates as required
About Us
We’re delighted you are interested in joining the team at Older Citizens Advocacy York.
OCAY is a small, independent charity supporting people over the age of 50 across the City of York. We provide free, trusted and practical advocacy for people who need someone to listen, explain, support, advocate, signpost, or stand alongside them at difficult points in their lives.
Our work is rooted in dignity, independence and fairness. Many of the people who come to us are facing complex issues linked to health, care, housing, benefits, isolation, disability, anxiety, digital exclusion or financial pressure. Often, they are trying to navigate systems that can feel confusing, overwhelming or difficult to access alone.
OCAY exists to help older people be heard, understand their rights and choices, and remain as independent as possible. Every member of our team plays an important part in making that happen.
We are looking for a skilled, compassionate and organised Lead Advocate to join our small team and help deliver high-quality general advocacy across York.
Main Purpose of Job
To deliver high-quality general advocacy for older people in the City of York, including complex casework, initial assessments, waiting list oversight, and support for volunteer advocates as required.
The Lead Advocate will work closely with the Charity Director to ensure that clients receive timely, person-centred and independent advocacy support. The role requires sound judgement, strong communication skills, excellent case recording, and a clear understanding of the role and boundaries of advocacy.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide independent general advocacy to people over 50 across York, including people with complex or multiple needs.
- Take on complex casework as allocated by the Charity Director, ensuring advocacy is person-led, rights-based and clearly recorded.
- Undertake initial assessments for new advocacy referrals, identifying the person’s advocacy needs, risks, urgency and desired outcomes.
- Maintain regular oversight of the waiting list and support the Charity Director with the review, prioritisation and allocation of casework.
- Work with clients to help them understand information, explore options, express their views and make informed decisions.
- Support clients with a range of general advocacy issues, which may include health and social care, housing, benefits, complaints, access to services, correspondence, appointments and practical barriers.
- Maintain accurate, timely and confidential case records using OCAY’s CRM and other agreed systems.
- Contribute to monitoring, evaluation and impact reporting by recording case outcomes, client feedback and relevant service data.
- Maintain positive and professional working relationships with colleagues, volunteer advocates, local agencies, health and social care professionals, community organisations and other stakeholders.
- Support volunteer advocates as required, including informal guidance, case discussion, encouragement and practical support, while recognising that formal volunteer management sits with the Charity Director.
- Keep up to date with relevant legislation, local services, safeguarding practice, advocacy principles and developments affecting older people in York.
- Work within OCAY’s policies and procedures, including safeguarding, confidentiality, data protection, lone working, equality and diversity, and health and safety.
- Attend team meetings, supervision, training and development opportunities as required.
- Work flexibly within the 20-hour working week to respond to client need, including attending appointments and meetings across York. Very occasional evening or weekend work may be required for events or service activity, with time agreed in advance.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the role.
Person Specification: Lead Advocate
We are looking for a compassionate, organised and skilled individual who shares OCAY’s commitment to independent advocacy and supporting people aged 50 and over.
Essential Criteria
Values and Personal Attributes
- A strong commitment to the values and principles of independent advocacy.
- A compassionate, respectful and non-judgemental approach to working with people aged 50 and over.
- The ability to build trust with people who may be distressed, anxious, isolated or facing complex circumstances.
- A clear understanding of professional boundaries and the importance of confidentiality.
- Reliable, organised and able to manage time effectively.
- Able to work flexibly and calmly as part of a small team.
- A proactive approach to learning, reflection and professional development.
- A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Qualifications and Training
- A good standard of education, including strong written English and numeracy skills, or equivalent relevant experience.
- A willingness to undertake relevant advocacy, safeguarding and casework training.
Skills and Knowledge
- A clear understanding of advocacy and how it differs from advice, support work, counselling and befriending.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- The ability to write clear, accurate and professional case notes, letters and reports.
- Strong listening skills and the ability to help people express their views, wishes and concerns.
- The ability to assess the urgency, risk and complexity of new referrals.
- Good IT skills, including confidence using email, Microsoft Word, internet research and client-recording systems.
- Knowledge of issues affecting older people, including health and social care, housing, benefits, isolation and digital exclusion.
Experience
- Experience of providing advocacy, advice, casework or similar person-centred support.
- Experience of working with people who are distressed, vulnerable, isolated or facing multiple barriers.
- Experience of managing a caseload and prioritising work effectively.
- Experience of completing initial assessments or triaging referrals, identifying needs and planning appropriate next steps.
Other Requirements
- Willingness to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
- Willingness and ability to travel across York to meet clients and attend meetings.
- Ability to work flexibly around client needs within the agreed 20-hour working week. This may include very occasional evening or weekend work where agreed in advance.
- A commitment to working in accordance with OCAY’s policies, procedures and values.
Desirable Criteria
- An advocacy, advice, social care or other relevant qualification or training.
- Safeguarding adults training.
- An understanding of safeguarding adults, mental capacity, confidentiality and data protection.
- Knowledge of services and support available across York.
- Experience of working with older people.
- Experience of supporting or working alongside volunteers.
- Experience of working with health, social care, housing, benefits or community services.
- A full driving licence and access to a car for work purposes.
Pay: £27,878.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Flexitime
- Sick pay
- Work from home
Work Location: In person
