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Volunteer Independent Advocate

  • VO38964

Description

The role of Dumfries and Galloway Advocacy Service is to provide Independent Advocacy to vulnerable people across Dumfries and Galloway. The goal is to empower and enable clients to be heard and to take as much control of their situation as possible.

Being an Independent Advocate involves listening and ensuring the client’s thoughts and wishes are understood and the client’s voice is heard. It is about the client being in control of their situation.

In addition to face-to-face, virtual and telephone meetings with your client and other services, all meetings and communications regarding the progression of the client’s case must be kept electronically. For this reason, you must have access to a laptop/computer, the internet, and a landline or mobile phone.

You must be able to maintain confidentiality (organisational exceptions) and boundaries, express yourself clearly in verbal / written form, work as part of a team and independently, use email, Word, etc., and carry out work electronically.

You will be required to attend meetings with the client as well as source information to allow the client to make informed choices. You will make a difference in other people’s lives, develop new skills, and meet new people, and you will work alongside a small, friendly team.

We work under the following Acts:

· Mental Health (Care & Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003

· Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000

· Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007

· Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013

· Carers (Scotland) Act 2016)

We are funded to advocate for the following groups:

· Mental Health

· Adults with Incapacity (incl. Guardianship and 13ZA)

· Learning Disability

· Autism

· Adult Support and Protection

· Self-Directed Support

· Unpaid Carers

· Young People (18-25 year old)

To express an interest and find out more, get in touch with Pamela on 01387 247237 or email: pamela.deans@dgadvocacy.co.uk

An application form is required and will be sent upon your request.

Organisation aims and objectives

We are a value based organisation focused on delivering issue based advocacy that is independent, confidential and accessible to all who experience vulnerability. We support and promote the development of high standards and principles in independent advocacy at a local and a national level, in partnership with, and independently of, other organisations. We defend the rights of those in most need to services and to inclusion in the planning of those services, and we work towards empowering them to take part, and also influence service providers to listen to those that use their services.

Availability

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening

Flexible.

Frequency and commitment details

Flexible.

Restrictions

Travel details: Hestan House, Crichton Business Park, Bankend Road, Dumfries DG1 4TA We require volunteers across the region to work within their local community.
Minimum age: 18

Support

Expenses paid: Yes
Expenses details: Reasonable out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed.
Training details: Volunteers are given training in Independent Advocacy and the legislation that we work under as well as ongoing training and support.
Support: Childcare,
Named Contact For Volunteer,
Wheelchair Access/Disabled Access Toilet

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