South West Advocacy Network are an independent advocacy charity working across the South West of England. The organisation support and empower people to have a voice, by ensuring access to high quality, independent advocacy, support and advice. We believe that everyone has the right to be heard & respected, the right to choice in decisions about themselves and the right to be safe.

Working within our Bristol Team, we are currently seeking a Peer Advocacy Coach who has lived experience of mental ill health. You will be an Expert by Experience.

To help us with our shortlisting, please send a supporting statement/cover letter with your application telling us why you are right for this role

Role Overview:

Self-Advocacy is being able to speak up for yourself and tell people what you want and need. People who can self-advocate can make their own complaints. Peer Advocacy coaches use their own knowledge and experience to help others who have experienced similar things to self-advocate and speak up for themselves.
Our Peer Advocacy Coaches co-deliver and co-design Self-Advocacy Workshops and help to facilitate peer advocacy groups. Our Peer and Self-Advocacy work helps clients to have a greater choice and control over their lives, both now and in the future.

Our Peer Advocacy Coaches also support professionals to understand how to support those they work with to self-advocate by delivering bespoke workshops. Advocacy Coaches help with recording outcomes, gathering feedback on services and adapt our Self-Advocacy Toolkits.

The post is subject to 2 references including previous employer, evidence of right to work in the UK and an enhanced DBS check.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are core to our values. In the selection of our staff, we are committed to equality with regards to protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We welcome applications from disabled people. The Employee must ensure a positive commitment towards equality by treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment of any description and to promote positive working relations amongst employees, suppliers and customers.

The Job Description is not intended to be exhaustive, the duties and responsibilities may therefore vary over time according to the changing needs of the company.

Duties and Responsibilities:

To understand individual responsibility for organisational and personal health and safety

To act on behalf of the client at all times, following their instruction, taking action as directed by them, representing their wishes or choices.

To promote the rights, equality, diversity and needs of all by ensuring they are respected and valued as individuals.

Promote self advocacy as a strategy to build confidence and independence.

To promote the rights, equality, diversity and needs of all by ensuring they are respected and valued as individuals.

A commitment to training and continual personal development.

To work on new projects when required.

Facilitate Client Peer-Support Groups and Self-Advocacy Workshops when required

Provide issue based advocacy

Co-deliver and design self-advocacy workshops for clients.

Co-deliver and design self-advocacy awareness and self-advocacy workshops for other professionals working with vulnerable clients.

Attend meetings to promote the self-advocacy workshops and explain their importance for client empowerment.

Co-design and develop self-advocacy tool kits.

Co-designing leaflets, posters and media which advertises our self-advocacy work.

Support the Service Manager and Supervising Advocate with their duties.

Qualification Needed:

No qualification is required for this.

Beneficial experience for this role;

Having lived experience of having a disability or Mental Health illness.

Has attended workshops or training for people who have disabilities or Mental Health illness.

Previous experience of designing training.

Previous experience of being a workshop facilitator.

Experience in Easy Read.

If you would like to join us, SWAN will offer you;

· A supportive working environment

· Flexible working to fit around your personal circumstances

· Regular person-centred Supervision

· Training and development opportunities

· Minimum 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

· 6% Employer pension and 2% employee contribution

· Employee Assistance Scheme, offering a free and confidential helpline for you

· A Wellbeing Day – a paid day from work to allow you time to focus on your own wellbeing

· In-house Mental Health First Aiders

Job Type: Part-time