Carers Trust Crossroads West Wales

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE:

Independent Professional Advocate

SALARY:

£27,514 per annum pro rata

CONTRACT TYPE:

Fixed Team contract until 31 March 2028

DBS:

HOURS:

Enhanced DBS required with Adult Barring Check

14 hours per week

LOCATION:

Carmarthenshire

EMPLOYED BY:

Carers Trust Crossroads West Wales

RESPONSIBLE TO:

Service Manager

Main aims of the post

This post will involve the provision of statutory Independent Professional Advocacy Services
as defined under the Social Services & Wellbeing (Wales) Act as part of the 3 County
Independent Professional Advocacy Service (3CIPA). 3CIPA is a collaboratively delivered
service working in partnership with four organisations across West Wales.

Advocacy support will enable vulnerable individuals to express their views, secure their rights
and access essential information and services. Crucially, advocacy support will enable the
individual to participate in, and have a voice, choice and control in decisions that affect them,
particularly where the individual’s ability to communicate is limited for any reason.

This role will primarily work with unpaid carers, however it could also include working with
adults with physical disabilities and sensory impairment, and older people in a variety of
settings, including; client homes, hospitals, residential care homes. A professional, client
focused attitude is essential.

Scope and accountability

The post holder will:
  Be supported by the Carers Support Services & Development Manager
  Have a role in identifying individuals who may require Independent Professional Advocacy
  Work closely with the wider 3CIPA team, particularly the service lead to ensure smooth and
timely advocacy provision is accessible to individuals meeting the criteria for Independent
Professional Advocacy

  Travel expected throughout the county, with some out-of-county travel required, including
to face to face appointments with clients of the service. Hybrid office/home based working
otherwise

  Participate in the Three Counties Advocacy Network

Duties to include

Advocacy

  To  provide  confidential  one  to  one  advocacy,  including  to  undertake  the  statutory

advocacy role as set out in legislation, complying with systems for:

o  Referral  –  Prioritisation  and  Case  load  management  including  the  maintenance

of accurate records.

o  Monitoring  and  reviewing  service  provision  that  include  quarterly  and  annual

reports

o  Quality assurance and complaints

  To work within the principles of advocacy good practice and the Advocacy Charter
  To ensure that people using the service are able to assert their rights and are supported

to self-advocate whenever possible.

  Encourage individuals to explore their potential to the fullest, push boundaries and
safely manage risks to maintain or regain increased control over their daily lives
  To liaise, communicate and negotiate effectively with people accessing social care
services, a range of health and social care professionals and family members.

  To support individuals and/or provide representation for individuals at key meetings

such as assessment, care planning, MDT, CHC/DST, Safeguarding, etc.

  To signpost and refer on people for issues that do not fall within the scope of the

advocacy role.

  To prioritise work to meet the needs of clients and decision makers.
  To implement work to promote equal opportunities in the services.
  To keep up to date with policy and legal changes relating to the services.
  To work within and comply with the contractual remit of the service, code of conduct,

and Carers Trust Crossroads West Wales and 3  CIPA policies.

Administration, Monitoring & Evaluation

  To record and update client records in a timely manner in accordance with 3CIPA

requirements and in compliance with the Data Protection Act.

  To ensure the requirements for internal and external monitoring and evaluation are met.
  To maintain accurate records and administration systems and contribute to the

efficient running of the service.

  To record inputs, outputs and outcomes in accordance with 3CIPA procedures.

  To identify issues of importance raised by individuals using the service from their views
and experiences and promote these through relevant means e.g. service user groups,
planning meetings etc.

  To actively participate in and contribute to team meetings, supervision sessions and

staff appraisals as arranged.

Accountability

  To seek guidance and support from management staff when needed.
  To record movements in outlook calendar and provide relevant information to Service

Managers as requested.

  To work closely with the client in accordance with the Advocacy Code of Practice and

Advocacy Charter and any other agency procedures.

Working with others

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  To attend team meetings & planning meetings with colleagues.
  To liaise with service providers, relatives and others engaged with/working with service

users as part of the advocacy role.

  To develop positive, professional working relationships with other agencies and with

referrers.

Project Development

  To work with the service manager and assist in achieving the Advocacy Quality

Performance Mark

  To publicise and promote the work of the organisation and the development of

advocacy, including innovative models of advocacy.

  To undertake training as necessary including accredited training in order to provide

independent advocacy. To take responsibility for own development including
completion of the Independent Advocacy Qualification to Diploma Level within the first
18-24 months of commencing employment

General

  To be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and

children.

  To work at all times within the philosophy and policies of Carers Trust Crossroads West

Wales.

  To comply with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and with Crossroads Care policy,

paying particular attention to the reporting of dangerous situations.

  To have a commitment to developing quality by the implementation the quality
evaluation tools along with any other standards set by Carers Trust and 3CIPA.

  To respect the personal choice and lifestyles of colleagues, carers, and people with care

needs, ensuring equal opportunity principles are applied at all times.

  To comply with the staff Code of Conduct.
  To undertake any other duties that may be considered commensurate with the level of

the post.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

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Desirable

  Experience of providing either
informal or formal advocacy
  Experience of attending multi-

disciplinary meetings

  Experience of supporting individuals
through the safeguarding process
  Experience of raising both informal

and formal complaints

  Experience of undertaking risk

assessments and supporting positive
risk management

  Welsh language skills desirable.

Essential

Experience

  Experience of establishing and maintaining

constructive, professional relationships with a
wide range of people including Carers, family
members, colleagues, hospital staff and
individual service users

  Experience of supporting individuals in relation

to assessment of needs and accessing
appropriate services

  Experience of speaking for or negotiating on

someone’s behalf (this could be in an informal
setting)

  Experience of working within a person-centred
manner establishing ‘what matters to me’

  Experience of working within an equal

partnership with an individual to establish,
monitor and achieve client focused outcomes

  Using this approach, promoting individual’s

rights, choice, independence and wellbeing

Skills and abilities

  Ability to practice safely and establish and

maintain appropriate professional and personal
boundaries.

  Ability to work positively with other agencies
and develop strong partnership relationships
with a wide range of people including individual
partner providers in external agencies.
  Excellent written and verbal communication

skills.

  Ability to negotiate and influence others to

achieve agreed outcomes

  Excellent time management skills with ability to

prioritise workload and multi-task.
  Ability to work under pressure and meet

deadlines

  Can work independently and take initiative.


Is a flexible team player, valuing the strength of
team members and its collective achievement

  Must be able to keep accurate and readable
Carer and service administration records.
  Good IT skills and ability to use a range of

Microsoft packages

  Able  to  work  flexibly  with  occasional  out  of

hours session i.e. weekends, evenings.

  Must be car owner with full license and access

to own car for travel for work purposes.

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Knowledge

  An understanding of the health and social

care
system and pathway to services
  A good understanding of the Social

Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014
and related legislation.

  A clear understanding of the role of an

independent advocate and the Advocacy
Charter

  Knowledge of both statutory and third

sector services and sources of support for
individuals in the area.

  Understanding  or  experience  of

the
complex issues surrounding a range of care
and  support  needs,
the  network  of
community  services  and  the  need  for
advocacy.

  To understand responsibilities of

safeguarding and promoting the welfare of
vulnerable adults and children.

  Understanding of Health & Safety in the

workplace.

  Understanding of the importance of

confidentiality and data protection and
GDPR legislation.

  Must have understanding of equality issues
facing people with health, care or support
needs

Qualifications

A good standard of education, a professional
qualification and experience of supporting
vulnerable individuals in a health and social care
setting.

  City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in

Independent Advocacy or a commitment to
achieve this within 18 months


Values

  Those who use services being enabled to

have greater opportunities to exercise their
rights. This includes receiving the right
care, at the right time in the right place.
  Promoting and exercising understanding of
diversity and equality issues as barriers to
social inclusion.

  Promoting equality and challenging

  Level 3 Diploma in Health and

Social Care

  Level 3 Diploma in Advice &

Guidance.

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inequality.

  To be committed to safeguarding and
promoting the wellbeing of vulnerable
adults and children.

  Understanding the need for confidentiality
  Promote dignity and respect.
  Able to demonstrate reliability and

commitment.

  Has a positive, solution focused attitude

with
the ability to overcome barriers

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