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About HF Mencap:

About the Role:

• Learning disabilities and/or autism.
• Mental health needs.
• Brain injury.
• Physical disabilities.
• Sensory impairments.
• Older people and people with dementia.
• Long-term illness.
• Profound and multiple disabilities or complex health needs.

Accountability:

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide one-to-one advocacy support to adults living in Hammersmith & Fulham with disabilities, mental health conditions and complex health needs, based on individual need.
• Enable people to have greater choice and control over their lives.
• Encourage self-advocacy by supporting people to make informed choices and, wherever possible, to speak for themselves.
• Support individuals to understand their rights, options and choices and to challenge services and decisions where necessary.
• Meet and support clients in a range of settings, including at the HF Mencap office, in clients’ homes and in community settings, and accompany clients to appointments and meetings where advocacy support is required.
• Work collaboratively with social services, Libra Partnership and other relevant agencies and professionals to remove barriers and increase opportunities.
• Promote equality and inclusion and challenge discriminatory behaviour.
• Manage an advocacy caseload of up to 21 people at any one time, ensuring cases are progressed and closed within appropriate timeframes.
• Support individuals to access communication support where needed, for example Speech and Language Therapy, and use accessible communication approaches including signs, symbols, photos and multimedia.
• Provide information in accessible formats to help people understand their rights, options and choices.
• Attend relevant meetings and forums, supporting individuals and raising awareness of key issues where appropriate.
• Support people to access opportunities through Individual Budgets and Self-Directed Support.
• Support people to access adapted housing, healthy lifestyles and community activities, recognising carers’ needs where appropriate.
• Participate in campaigns facilitated by HF Mencap to improve resources, raise awareness and strengthen community inclusion.
• Link with London and national networks, including National Mencap, and share resources and good practice.
• Maintain accurate and timely case records using agreed case-management systems and contribute to monitoring and reporting requirements.
• Attend supervision regularly and participate in appraisal processes.
• Attend relevant training, events and consultations, including those organised by the Local Authority where required.
• Carry out the role in line with HF Mencap’s policies, procedures and service standards.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the role as reasonably required.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, following HF Mencap’s safeguarding policies and procedures.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Level 4 Independent Advocacy Practice qualification, or willingness to undertake and complete the qualification within an agreed timeframe as a requirement of the role.
• Knowledge and understanding of good advocacy practice.
• Ability to form positive, professional working relationships with a wide range of clients.
• Ability to work effectively with people with a range of communication and support needs.
• Ability to manage a complex caseload across a wide range of issues.
• Ability to research options and support clients to make informed choices.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with clients, professionals and partner organisations.
• Ability to manage risk to self and others.
• Strong planning and organisational skills.
• Good IT skills and the ability to maintain accurate electronic records.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• A flexible and positive approach to work.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of relevant legislation, including:
  • Mental Health Act 2007.
  • Care Act 2014.
  • Human Rights Act 1998.
  • Equality Act 2010.
• Knowledge of public and third-sector organisations and processes.
• Knowledge of non-instructed advocacy.
• Experience of working with people with a range of needs.
• Knowledge of the local area and local services.

Special Requirements:

• Ability and willingness to travel within Hammersmith & Fulham and elsewhere in London, and beyond where reasonably required by the role.
• Willingness to work in a range of settings, including clients’ homes, community and care settings, hospitals, secure settings, courts and prisons where required.
• Willingness to accompany clients to appointments and meetings where advocacy support is required.
• The postholder may occasionally be required to work outside normal office hours, including evenings or weekends.

Benefits:

• Generous annual leave: 25 days plus bank holidays.
• Employee Benefits by Sodexo.
• 24/7 GP access, including remote doctor appointments and medical advice.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – free confidential counselling, legal advice and wellbeing support.
• Flexible working arrangements, with office-based working and some home working by agreement.
• Ongoing training, supervision and development opportunities.
• Sick pay in accordance with HF Mencap’s Sick Pay Policy and Statutory Sick Pay regulations.

Equal Opportunities:

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