Residential Visiting Advocate

Location and working arrangements: Working from home, making visits to residential children's homes in Northeast Wales, locations tbc through discussion at interview.

A visit usually lasts for an hour on a monthly basis and takes place after school hours. We pay travel time and expenses. Each visit, associated travel and admin time will usually take up to 4 hours a month. Ideally we are looking for people who could take on monthly visits to a group of 5 homes. This could be on a basis of one visit a week, but will be discussed at interview.

Purpose of role:

To provide independent information, advice and assistance and advocacy to children and young people who live in children's homes.

Accountabilities / Responsibilities

· Speak up for children and young people and where possible enable them to speak up for themselves

· Help children and young people to understand and participate in decisions that affect their lives; and represent their views, wishes and needs to decision makers - and seek remedies for breaches to human rights

· Accompany children and young people to decision making forums and ensure that their views are represented - including negotiation with social workers, senior managers, foster carers solicitors and other professionals on a child / young person's behalf

· Assist young people in exploring options, understanding rights and making complaints

· Assist the Team Manager to assess the Service's outputs against the framework of agreed outcomes by the monitoring of activity and the collection of appropriate information including feedback from service users

· Comply with the TGP Cymru's policies and procedures to include finance, reporting, data management and safeguarding

· Comply with Social Care Wales' Code of Professional Practice for Social Care Workers

· Promote equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice through the work undertaken within post

· Network appropriately with colleagues and the community, including developing awareness of TGP Cymru's services amongst relevant professionals

· Undertake such other duties and responsibilities as may reasonably be required by the Organisation and which are consistent with grade.

Performance Indicators

· Responsible for the delivery of key performance indicators and standards of practice.

· Quality of service and compliance against statutory, regulatory, organisational and best practice standards and requirements.

· Achievement of service and individual objectives and targets.

· A professional qualification in social work, youth and community work or related discipline such as Health and Education (desirable)

Skills and abilities / competencies

The post holder will be able to:

· Produce quality results in a service-orientated and timely manner and is committed to deliver agreed outcomes

· Work well with colleagues and partners and acknowledge the different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds of others

· Plan and organise work and manage time effectively

· Communicate effectively i.e. express information and ideas in a clear, concise and accurate manner; listens actively and ensures information is shared.

· Be open to new approaches and ideas, respond positively to change and adapt quickly to new situations

· Seek opportunities for continuous learning and professional growth

Knowledge / Experience

The postholder will be able to demonstrate a sound understanding and record of achievement in the following:

· Advocacy

· Children's rights

· Working in partnership with children / young people

· Working with children / young people to identify how and by whom they wish to be represented

· Safeguarding

Other

· Display TGP Cymru values and behaviours at all times and actively promote them in others

· Commitment to equality and diversity

· Full driving licence and have access to transport (In certain circumstances consideration may be given to applicants who as a consequence of a disability are unable to drive.)

· Ability to speak Welsh (desirable),

• Do you have a professional qualification in social work, youth and community work or related discipline such as Health and Education


Experience:

• Advocacy: 1 year (preferred)


• Working with children and/or young people: 1 year (preferred)
  
  TGP Cymru is a Wales based charity working with children, young people and families and has been providing services across Wales for 20 years.


Are you someone who could take a little time make monthly visits to residential children's home, to support children and young people to speak up/ express their views and wishes about matters which affect them? If so, we need you.

A visit usually lasts for an hour, on a monthly basis and takes place after school hours. We pay travel time and expenses. Each visit, associated travel and admin time will usually take up to 4 hours a month. Ideally, we are looking for people who could take on monthly visits to a group of 5 homes. This could be on a basis of one visit a week but will be discussed at interview., TGP Cymru is one of the leading Wales based charities, which supports and represents vulnerable children, young people, and families through a range of projects, training and campaigning. TGP Cymru services are funded by multiple funders and deliver services pan-Wales.

Casual hours with a flexible approach to the working week.

Visits to homes usually last an hour and take place on a monthly basis. Travel time and expenses will be paid in addition. A monthly visit including travel and admin time may take 4 hours a month.