Independent Advocate - London, United Kingdom - Wac Arts

Wac Arts

Verified Company

London, United Kingdom

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

The advocacy service offers 1:1 sessions for young people with SEND and uses accessible and creative media to support them to communicate their views.

The service enables young people to make choices and voice their opinions, and to remain at the centre of the decision-making process.

This service is mainly provided to young people who are Looked After Children or in Care and is accessible to young people who might not communicate verbally.

The role includes the requirement to travel to centres outside London.

SUMMARY OF KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The following sets out the key responsibilities and is not intended as an exhaustive list. The role will require other duties relevant to providing a high-quality service.

Ascertain the feelings of children and young people with disabilities about their placements and other services they receive, by providing an advocacy service, which enables them to communicate their concerns and feelings about their lives.
Attend court hearings, social care meetings, liaise with social workers and travel to meetings and other service providers across the country to advocate on behalf of young people.
Advocate on behalf of young people who have very limited communication ability to raise issues relating to the rights & any identified concerns about their welfare.
Find creative ways to engage young people and help them communicate in ways best suited to their needs and interests.
Appropriately feedback to Children's Services Forum the opinions expressed by the children and young people and, where possible, negotiate change so that services and policies are developed that better meet the needs of this group of children and young people.
Demonstrate the value of including children and young people with disabilities in decisionmaking processes that affect their lives.
Aim to ensure young people are made aware of their rights and options that are open to them and are given the opportunity to communicate their feelings and concerns about their situation.
Visit children and young people identified through the Integrated Children's Disability Service.
Work with parents, carers and other key people in the lives of children and young people in order to support them in developing and enhancing their own advocacy skills.
Act as the face of Wac Arts for participants, parents, guardians, carers and external agencies
Act professionally and with enthusiasm for Wac Arts activity, at all times
Provide the necessary information required for monitoring and evaluation purposes
Ensure risk assessments/ registers/ session evaluation and any other relevant paperwork is completed and returned promptly to your line manager
Respond to correspondence from your line manager or any other member of core staff in a timely fashion
Report and record any issues surrounding safeguarding according to the Wac Arts Safeguarding Policy
Attend meetings and training as requested by your line manager
Make your line manager aware of any issues or complaints

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Skills and experience

An understanding of the procedures surrounding Advocacy work with young people
At least two years' experience of working in education, youth work or social care
Ability to act with tact, diplomacy and courtesy with a sensitive approach to the needs of others
Ability to act independently and work as part of a team
Experience of managing challenging behavior
Excellent timemanagement and ability to meet deadlines
Excellent communication skills

Attitude and approach

A positive outlook
Willingness to undertake training that may be necessary to advocate on behalf of young people
An understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
Willingness to work on and off site and at locations outside of London

Useful skills and experience