Lived Experience Recovery Advocate

CIRCLES NETWORK

South Ayrshire

Full-time

Listed today

Job Description

Job Title:
Location:

Hours:
Responsible to:
Key working
Relationships:

Lived Experience Recovery Advocate
South Ayrshire

Full Time 37.5 hours (negotiable)
Service Manager
Service Manager, Lead Advocate, Advocates, HSCP,

Our mission is to support disabled and disadvantaged people of all ages in
transformational and empowering ways to live fulfilling and inclusive lives.

About the organisation:

Circles Network is a UK wide voluntary organisation renowned for building inclusive
communities on the foundations of justice, advocacy, empowerment, and
friendships.
Our mission is to support disabled and disadvantaged people of all ages in
transformational and empowering ways to live fulfilling and inclusive lives.
Our work is organised into four key segments:

• Circles Community
• Circles Advocacy
• Circles Equine
• Circles Academy

We are dedicated and passionate individuals who are committed to delivering the
highest quality support with the values of inclusion at the heart of everything we
deliver.

The Values of Inclusion

All the work carried out by Circles Network is underpinned by a strongly held set of
values and beliefs known as the values of inclusion. This philosophy, where all people,
regardless of ability, are seen to be citizens of worth, drives us in our mission.
We believe that:

• everyone has a voice and the right to be heard
• all people have dreams and aspirations
• all people have capabilities and qualities
• all people should have power and control over what they do now

and in the future
the whole community can benefit from embracing diversity

•
• all people should have the opportunity to lead ordinary and valued

lives

• all people have the right to live in and be part of the community
• all people need friendships and independent relationships, a natural

support network

Circles Network is a registered charity in England and Wales. (1043601) and Scotland (SC038068). A company limited
by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (2972700) Registered Office: The Penthouse, Coventry
Road, Cawston, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV23 9JP.
© Circles Network, 2020

• all means all

Summary:

To assist the Service Manager and colleagues by providing specific independent
recovery-based Advocacy with adults experiencing difficulties relating to alcohol or
drug use.

To facilitate opportunities for inclusion and empowerment and reduce stigma
through advocacy to improve access to services and support for people affected
by the use of alcohol or drugs.

To work closely with colleagues to ensure our work across Scotland is of a
consistently high quality to reflect our values & ethos.

Main duties and responsibilities:

•

To provide independent advocacy to individuals, in compliance with the
Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2015 and other relevant
legislation and guidelines including the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act
2000.
To maintain and operate within professional advocacy standards in
accordance with advocacy guidelines and to ensure that all individuals are
supported to advocate in their own right, including the safeguarding of rights
relating to those individuals defined as not having capacity/insight.
To promote awareness of statutory rights and resources available to the
individuals using Circles Network support.
To adopt a flexible approach to advocacy which meets the needs of each
individual.
To actively seek and identify ways in which to engage particularly vulnerable
and isolated individuals.
To maintain accurate records in a clear and concise manner with strict
adherence to confidentiality and data protection policy.
To source and provide relevant information on a range of services in the
local area.
To contribute to the communication and planning processes within Circles
Network through meetings, planning groups etc.
•
To organise collect and maintain accurate data.
•
To ensure good time and productivity management.
•
To produce and contribute to written reports on work relating to the service.
• Any other tasks commensurate with the work of the service in agreement with

•

your line manager, Lead Advocate and the CEO.

Person Specification:

Qualifications and Training:

To have a driving licence or the ability to travel to multiple locations.

•
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365.

Experience:

• Personal lived experience of recovery from alcohol and/or drug addiction.
• An understanding of Independent Rights Based Advocacy.
• Experience/understanding of advocating for self or others.
• Experience with handling confidential data sensitively and in line with data

regulations and legislation.

• Experience in working as part of a team and/or in a varied and busy role.

Personal Attributes:

Competence – To have the ability to carry out your work efficiently and effectively.

• Strong communication skills.
• Be non-judgemental.
• Willingness to learn.
• Familiarity with relevant legislation, including, but not limited to, the Mental
Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, Adults with Incapacity
(Scotland) Act 2000, Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act.
• Ability to interpret and apply the principles of legislation to ‘real life.’
•
•

Effective IT skills, particularly with Microsoft Word.
Initiative in the absence of immediate direction and support and preparation
to call on assistance as required.

• Demonstrate a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Show effective time and stress management skills.
• Demonstrate logical thinking.

Commitment - To show dedication and attentiveness towards those you support and the wider
organisation.

• Demonstrate a flexible attitude towards working hours; this may include some

evenings and weekends.

• Show good time management and personal management.
• Demonstrate continuous drive towards personal and service improvement

and growth.

• A true belief in the values of inclusion and a passion to support people to

uphold them.

• Participate in initiatives to further develop advocacy services across Scotland

and the rest of the UK.

Care and Compassion - To understand how other people may be feeling, showing
concern/interest in their issues and lives.

• Demonstrate how you have taken on an advocacy role in your current

work/personal life.

• Demonstrate an attitude which celebrates and respects difference.
• Show ability to deliver a warm, welcoming, and diplomatic approach.
•

The ability to actively listen & respond to people.

Communication - To be able to successfully share ideas, feelings, and information.

• Have good spoken and written communication skills.
• Possess exemplary interpersonal skills, demonstrating a diplomatic style of

communication.

• Demonstrate an ability to communicate with people who have difficulty

expressing their views or wishes for whatever reason.

Creativity - To use imagination and original ideas to support the development of your work.

•

To create or use accessible materials to support different communication
styles and preferences.
To demonstrate an ability to develop different ways of engaging with people
from diverse backgrounds, including in group settings, so they feel at ease,
can share their views, and take control of their lives.

Intuition and Self Awareness - To understand instinctively those you support and be aware of
the impact you have on others.

• Experience and knowledge of how to manage conflict and perceived

challenging behaviour.

• Show patience, tactful, diplomatic and approachability.
•
• Be aware of your self and take steps to safeguard your wellbeing.

To stay calm in difficult situations.

Authenticity and Integrity – to be an honest and genuine person.

•

To have or be willing to undertake a Protecting Vulnerable Groups criminal
records check to evidence that you are not a risk to vulnerable people.
To understand the need for clear boundaries while supporting people and
demonstrate how this may be identified within your work practice.
To be critically reflective and committed to professional development,
coaching and appraisal processes.

Connection - to show connection in your relationships.

•

To remain independent and as neutral as possible and work within the
expressed interests of people we support.

•

To develop trusting relationships with everyone you work with both advocacy
partners, agencies and to work positively with professionals to ensure the
organisation is well represented.

• Demonstrate your ability to work in a team.
•

To have good local knowledge of the systems and services available in Fife
and beyond.

Connect with a cause that needs you!

Lived Experience Recovery Advocate