EPIC: Advocacy Officer – deadline Tuesday 6th January

Job Purpose

• Specific advocacy role focused on engaging with children and young people placed in special emergency arrangements (SEAs) by Tusa- Child and Family Agency. This will include travel to the variety of locations where the children are placed.
• To provide skilled independent advocacy support to children and young people who wish to raise concerns about their care or make representations.
• To empower care leavers either by enabling them to represent their own views or by speaking on their behalf, or both.
• To ensure the child’s viewpoint is heard and, to assist the child/young person in seeking a satisfactory resolution to any issues raised.
• To provide information, support and advice to children and young people about their rights.
• To promote the participation of children and young people in decisions about their care.

Main Responsibilities 

• To provide one to one advocacy to children in care and care leavers
• When possible, to facilitate projects that support the participation of children and care leavers in the decision-making processes that affect their lives
• Ensure the recording and reporting of unmet need within your area of responsibility.  Work in line with local child protection procedures in respect of ‘Children First’ and issues raised by Children and Young People
• To establish and maintain strategic relationships with key partner organisations within the sector.
• To represent the organisation regionally and nationally as delegated by the Advocacy Managers.
• Contribute to the organisations policies and procedures in line with local and national strategic and legislative change.
• To develop and sustain partnerships with individuals, other organisations and local authority departments to ensure effective inter agency, inter disciplinary working.
• To ensure that appropriate detailed records of work undertaken are maintained in line with organisational policy and undertake monitoring and reporting of statistics.
• Assist in ensuring the participation of children and young people locally as part of EPIC’s national and local work.
• To build trusting relationships with children and young people seeking or receiving advocacy support
• To promote and support the participation of children in care and aftercare planning
• To identify need and undertake responsibility for the development of advocacy, advice, and information appropriate to children and care leavers in care and aftercare settings.
• To develop and undertake an information and publicity strategy which ensures that those children and care leavers who have need of advocacy are aware of and can access it.
• To liaise with agencies in the care and aftercare sector and ensure that care professionals in the statutory and private sectors are appropriately informed and can refer to the Advocacy Service.
• To undertake and develop advocacy training and information for other care professionals.
• To improve and enhance professional’s competence and practice through continuing professional development and regular supervision
• To attend and participate in such meetings in the internal and external work environment as may be required for the efficient development of advocacy service.
• To contribute to the activities, promotion and development of EPIC as an agency working on behalf of children and care leavers.
• To work in collaboration with participation, research and policy teams
• Contribute to quarterly and annual reports which are based on the agreed outcomes for your area of responsibility and attend liaison meetings as appropriate
• Promote a children’s rights-based approach to practice
• Ensure that all services provided meet agreed service levels, standards and outcomes.
• Adhere to EPIC’s policies and procedures and values at all times

Other Responsibilities 

• Assist with organising and facilitate EPIC’s discussion and consultation groups.
• Carry out any other duties commensurate with the post as agreed by your line manager. 

Communication

The post holder will have contact with:

• Advocacy team colleagues.
• Colleagues from across EPIC departments, including youth engagement and participation and research and policy.
• Children and young people in your area of responsibility.
• Identified liaison contacts.
• Other voluntary and statutory organisations.

Teamwork is important to the smooth running of the organisation and all team members are required to play an active part. This is important in relation to liaison with colleagues and, ensuring that the service provided meets service level agreements and contributing to the national work of the organisation. 

Attitude and Values

 Commitment to:

• Children’s rights
• Working inclusively with an understanding of equal opportunities and diversity practices
• Belief that children and young people can make transformative change happen in their lives if given the opportunity
• Ability to be objective and non-judgmental
• Ability to interact with children and youth people from diverse backgrounds
• Working in partnership with children and young people
• Working in such a way as to empower children and young people
• Developing best practice through regular supervision and training opportunities
• Inter-agency, inter-disciplinary working to improve outcomes for children and young people.

Click here for more information and to apply.