National Youth Advocacy Service

The Services - Issue Based Sessional Advocate

To work with an individual young person (as identified in the Case Referral) on a specific issue identified by the young person (as specified in the Case Referral), providing advice, encouragement or representation.

- Residential Visiting Advocate
- Independent Person secure accommodation

• To visit residential establishments or secure units at agreed fixed intervals (as detailed in the Case Referral). Such visits may be undertaken with an individual but more commonly with a group of young people in order to interact with them and to identify any of their concerns.
• To deal only with issues that can be resolved during that particular visit (as specified in the Case Referral).
• If there are issues that cannot be resolved during the course of the scheduled visit, to make a referral to an Issue Based Advocate using the Matter Referral Procedure below.
• To report regularly on the experience of the children and young people in the establishment they are visiting in order to ensure that the wishes and feelings of the children and young people are heard by those responsible for their care.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

SESSIONAL ADVOCATE - Residential or Issue Based.

General Responsibilities

Subject to the direction of the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Trustees, to assist in the management and development of the work of NYAS in such a way as to achieve the objectives set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association using methods which meet the highest standards of professional practice. In carrying out their duties, the advocate will be particularly aware of the requirements of Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which deals with the right of any child or young person to be consulted in decision making and to be "provided the opportunity to be heard in any judicial and administrative proceedings affecting the child or young person, either directly or through a representative or an appropriate body in a manner consistent with the procedural rules of national law."

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Work Direct with Young People:

1. To empower and enable children and young people to have a voice by providing, information, advice, support and advocacy.
2. To be available to work an agreed number of hours as a case advocate on behalf of children and young people throughout the period of accreditation with NYAS.
3. To be available to accept referrals from the NYAS Main Offices.
4. To make contact with the child or young person concerned within 24 hours of receipt of a referral wherever possible.
5. To meet with the child or young person at a previously agreed time in a setting which is safe and conducive to communication.
6. To listen carefully to the young person and to assist the young person to identify the issues which require the assistance of a case advocate.
7. To advise the young person as to their rights and the context of their issues and the possible ramifications of their expressed wishes.
8. To represent the wishes and interests of the child or young person to significant persons and, if in accordance with the young person's wishes, negotiate on their behalf both orally and in writing.
9. To act on the expressed wishes of the young person.
10. In the course of all advocacy work to be aware of and sensitive to the impact of issues of race, age, gender, class, sexuality, disability and to challenge prejudicial attitudes and discriminatory behaviour.
11. To encourage self advocacy by enabling and supporting the child or young person to make informed and free choices, and where appropriate to speak for themselves.
12. To enable the child or young person to make effective use of local authority or other Representations and Complaints procedures by providing information, support, advice and representation.
13. At all times to aim to achieve outcomes acceptable to the child or young person.
14. To advise the Fieldwork Manager immediately upon the commencement of any legal proceedings directly or indirectly related to the child or young person.
15. Subject to appropriate qualifications, experience and further training only, to act as a caseworker to undertake assessments, and provide oral evidence and written reports for family proceedings, to which a child or young person is subject or party. When acting as a caseworker the advocate will be accountable to the Director, Legal Services.
16. To maintain confidentiality at all times and ensure proper observance of and adherence to NYAS Confidentiality and Serious Concerns and Reporting Policy.
17. To participate in formal supervision and appraisal, and all meetings arranged for that purpose by the Senior Supervisor/Regional Co-ordinator or Fieldwork Manager.
18. To advise the NYAS HQ immediately of all times when not available to take work (especially annual leave) as soon as practicable.
19. To undertake any other duties as identified and agreed with the Fieldwork Manager.

Training and Development

1. To assist in the provision of information and training to young people and staff of agencies and local authorities to whom NYAS is contracted to provide a service.
2. To assist in the provision of training or conferences to other agencies.
3. To assist in liaison with young persons users group and the development of NYAS young persons groups.
4. To participate in NYAS training events, as required.

Administration

1. To complete and ensure that all records of contact with young people and agencies are written up promptly, maintained to a high standard and returned to HQ, in accordance with NYAS policies and procedures.
2. To ensure that financial claims are completed and submitted in accordance with NYAS policies and procedures.
3. To ensure that all case material is completed and submitted immediately upon completion of the work with the child or young person in accordance with NYAS policies and procedures.
4. To have access to the internet and an active email address.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

1. A recognised professional qualification in a child care related field, such as social work, youth work, law, teaching, psychology, with preferably a minimum of three years' post qualifying experience.
2. Substantial experience of face to face work with young people.
3. Experience of different methods of communicating with children and young people.
4. Experience of local authority child protection procedures.

Desirable

1. A proven record of advocacy work over at least three years.
2. A post qualification certificate specialising in work with children and young people.
3. Three years post qualifying social work experience of child protection work.
4. Experience of local authority complaints procedures, in particular as they relate to children and young people.

Knowledge

Essential

1. Knowledge of the provisions of the Children Act 1989 and the accompanying guidance and regulation.
2. Knowledge of court proceedings, especially family proceedings.
3. Knowledge of Equal Opportunities principles.

Abilities and Aptitudes

1. Ability to listen to children and young people effectively.
2. Ability to assess and summarise accurately and concisely.
3. Ability to work in a way which empowers and enables young people to develop self-advocacy skills.
4. Ability to communicate effectively with children and young people both orally and in writing.
5. Ability to develop a sensitive but 'problem solving' approach to the situations in which children and young people can find themselves.
6. An assertive, persuasive approach in negotiation of issues.
7. Ability to handle conflict constructively.
8. Ability to communicate effectively and assertively with figures in authority, in particular in local authority settings, both orally and in writing.
9. A pleasant, articulate and, when necessary, sympathetic telephone manner
10. Ability to write in a clear and succinct manner and keep accurate records of all cases.

Attitudes

Essential

1. Commitment to the implementation of Equal Opportunities in advocacy practice.
2. Commitment to anti-oppressive practice.
3. Commitment to the full implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
4. Commitment to the NYAS Code of Ethics.

You can also download the Application Pack and Application Form. You will need the latest version of the Adobe Reader to view these files which is available from Adobe.co.uk

The Application Form is also available for download in Microsoft Word format. Use this file if you wish to type your application and email it back to us.

For further details and application forms contact Freda O'Hare, National Youth Advocacy Service, Egerton House, Tower Road, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 1FN. Telephone 0151 649 8700 or send an email to recruitment@nyas.net.

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