BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Advocacy Sessional Worker
What is Newcastle Council for Voluntary Service?
Newcastle Council for Voluntary Service (NCVS) is the main umbrella body for the
voluntary sector in Newcastle. It acts as a support to voluntary groups, a promoter of the
cause of voluntary action, and is a key element in the liaison structure of the City. While
NCVS has a remit to assist voluntary action in all its forms, it places a high priority on work
that will benefit disadvantaged groups.
NCVS is conveniently located in the city centre, with good access to shops and travel
networks. Parking in the city centre is difficult and expensive, although there is a small car
park near the building and orange badge parking in front of the building.
What is Advocacy Centre North?
Advocacy Centre North is a part of NCVS. We provide Community Advocacy, a case
advocacy service for people with mental health problems as well as a specialist service for
those subject to the Mental Health Act (IMHA), case advocacy for people from Black and
Minority Ethnic (BME) communities and we also host two workers as part of the Fulfilling
Lives project.
The Centre has a staff of one manager, two senior advocates, 19 advocates working
across 6 advocacy projects, an information and communication officer, a senior
administrator and a part time administrator.
To find out more about Newcastle CVS and the work of Advocacy Centre North please
look at our web site at www.cvsnewcastle.org.uk
What is Advocacy?
“Advocacy is taking action to help people say what they want, secure their rights,
represent their interests and obtain services they need. Advocates work in partnership with
the people they support and take their side. Advocacy promotes social inclusion, equality
and social justice.”
The Action for Advocacy Charter 2002
What is Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)?
We are contracted to provide the statutory IMHA service to qualifying patients in
Newcastle and Gateshead. We work with people detained under the Mental Health Act
specifically around their care and treatments, ensuring their rights are upheld.
Newcastle CVS | Higham House, Higham Place | Newcastle upon Tyne | NE1 8AF
T 0191 232 7445 F 0191 230 5640 E ncvs@cvsnewcastle.org.uk W www.cvsnewcastle.org.uk
Advocacy Centre North is a project within NCVS. Newcastle Council for Voluntary Service is a registered charity
(number 1125877) and company limited by guarantee (number 6681475) registered in England and Wales | Our
registered office is as above
Chair Ralph Firth
Chief Executive Sally Young
What is Case Advocacy?
Case Advocacy is normally a short-term relationship between an advocate and a person
who is not in a strong position to exercise or defend his or her rights and is at risk of being
mistreated or excluded. The advocate's involvement will tend to centre around a particular
task or situation in which a partner needs the support of an advocate.
Sessional Case Advocacy Workers
Due to an increase in our statutory advocacy contracts, we are looking to recruit a pool of
sessional worker to support our IMHA and Mental Health Case Advocacy services. The job
description is attached, together with a list of the essential skills we are looking for.
This post will require an Enhanced DBS check and Barred List Check.
Recruitment Information
Advocacy Centre North is keen to recruit a pool of sessional workers. There is no closing
date for sessional worker applications. Please submit your application as soon as possible.
Completed application forms should be returned either by post or e-mail to Judith Temple
(judith.temple@cvsnewcastle.org.uk ).
Advice to candidates
Before completing the application form carefully read through the Job Description and
Person Specification. Bear in mind the requirements of the job and use the form to explain
how you satisfy the various criteria. You should not enclose a CV as this will not be
considered by the interviewing panel, but you may include additional sheets where there is
insufficient room on the application form. Please do not send your completed
application form as a PDF document as the front cover needs to be removed for
shortlisting.
Data Protection Act
The information you provide on the application form is strictly confidential. It will only be
seen by the interview panel. However, if you are offered employment with us it will be
placed in your personnel file to which the Chief Executive, Office Manager, Chair and Vice
Chair will have access. On leaving Newcastle CVS the entire file, including the application
form, will be held for a period of seven years in case we need to use it to provide a
reference for you. If you are unsuccessful in your bid for employment your application form
will be held for twelve months following your interview in case there are any queries and
will then be shredded.
JOB DESCRIPTION
TITLE:
IMHA / Mental Health Case Advocacy Sessional Worker
OBJECTIVES:
To provide Case Advocacy for people with Mental Health Needs in
Newcastle including Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) in
Newcastle and Gateshead as appropriate.
TASKS:
1.
To provide advocacy to those people meeting the criteria for Mental Health Case
advocacy or IMHA, undertaking some of the more complex work with supervision.
2.
To report on progress of individual cases and follow through agreed actions.
3.
To discuss advocacy dilemmas and practice with the line manager and agree
actions.
4.
To develop and maintain relevant contacts, primarily in the statutory and voluntary
sectors.
5.
To monitor the work of the project and provide written reports as required.
6.
To assist in the implementation of NCVS Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety
Policies.
7.
Any other duties as decided by the NCVS Chief Executive.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
Essential
1.
Experience of providing advocacy to individuals.
2.
The ability to communicate well, and work sensitively with, individuals, groups and
organisations.
3.
The ability to set priorities and work to them while remaining responsive to events.
4.
Experience of working with people with Mental Health needs, including in a hospital
setting.
5.
The ability to process information and produce good quality written work.
6.
The ability to undertake Independent Advocacy Qualification (in particular the IMHA
module) within the first year of employment.
7.
Holder of a current full driving licence and access to a car (alternative arrangements
can be made for people whose disability prevents them from driving).
Desirable
1.
Experience of working with complex cases as an IMHA.
2.
Experience of working in a range of MH settings including forensic services.
3.
Experience of using non-instructed advocacy.
4.
Independent Advocacy Qualification level 3 including IMHA module.
5.
Experience of dealing with people with diverse needs.
ACCOUNTABILITY:
TO:
Advocacy Centre North Manager.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Hourly rate: The hourly rate is currently £11.29 per hour, which includes a holiday
allowance of £1.74
Hours: Up to 37 per week as required.
August 2014