Independent Advocate at Sense Ability Matters
Contract Type: Permanent
Role Type: Employment
Hours: Full time
Application deadline:
Based: South Tyneside
Salary: £25,389 Per Annum
Salary Type: Fixed Salary
Location: Tyne and Wear
Role description: Project Support
About Us
Our Vision
A disabled and sensory loss community that is informed, empowered and resilient.
Our Mission
- Empower our community by giving them the tools they need to live independently and make positive decisions.
- Help our community overcome adversity by increasing resilience and wellbeing.
- Ensure our community are informed by providing first class information, advice and guidance.
- Influence positive change locally, regionally and nationally for our community through strong stakeholder and relationship management.
Our Values
Supportive
We respond and adapt to the needs of the disabled and sensory loss community. We respect and value all our community equally. We are committed to working together to achieve shared goals.
Trustworthy
We are accountable. We are open and honest in our approach. We are reliable, act with integrity and do what it takes to support those in need.
Caring
We are friendly and warm. We take time to listen and promote inclusivity. We treat everyone with dignity and respect.
Professional
We are passionate and strive to be the best. We actively seek new ideas and innovation to bring about positive change. We rely on evidence to make our decisions. We challenge ourselves to be bold and resourceful. We are determined in the face of adversity.
Independent Advocate
Sense Ability Matters deliver a range of activities and services to support those who have a sensory impairment, disabled, or live with a long-term health condition in Gateshead and South Tyneside.
It is an exciting time to be joining Sense Ability Matters as the organisation evolves to ensure we can continue to meet the needs of the blind and partially sighted people of Gateshead and South Tyneside.
As an Advocate with us, you’ll support individuals in diverse circumstances to have their voices heard by health and social care professionals and other key stakeholders. Your work will help ensure people are empowered to make informed decisions about their lives and care.
You will be responsible for assessing service users who are visually impaired, hearing impaired or living with long term health conditions and will provide Advocacy input by using an outcome focused approach.
The role will also involve working closely with our wider team to ensure that specialist support is embedded across our provision.
How to apply
If you are interested in this role please Email your CV and a supporting statement, of no more than 500 words, that highlights why you have the skills, knowledge and experience to be successful in this post.
Email: carol.mcallister@wearesam.org.uk
(Please ensure you include the Job title within the subject heading)
Closing date for applications: 08/05/2026 at 9am
Sense Ability Matters
Job Title: Independent Advocate
Responsible to: Operations Manager
Responsible for: None
Location: Gateshead/South Tyneside
Hours: 35 per week
Salary: £25,389.00
Function
To provide advocacy support to our clients. Supporting them to understand their rights and make informed decisions. Identifying and exploring alternative options and potential courses of action and bringing these to the attention of our clients and relevant professionals. Helping people to consider the likely consequences of their choices. Empowering them to speak up about what they want and need, and when necessary, representing their wishes, feelings, beliefs, needs, and values to others.
Main Tasks
- You’ll help clients understand their rights, entitlements, and choices; providing clear, accessible information tailored to their needs.
- You’ll support individuals to express what matters to them—or speak on their behalf when needed—ensuring their views, wishes, values, and beliefs are represented.
- You’ll promote self-advocacy and confidence-building at every opportunity, encouraging people to speak up for themselves.
- You’ll work creatively and collaboratively to empower individuals to participate in decisions affecting their lives.
- You’ll escalate concerns appropriately to safeguard individuals and contribute to improved service delivery.
General
- To represent the organisation effectively to external organisations and to participate as required in local, regional and national events.
- To work as an effective member of the Sense Ability Matters team, contributing to all aspects of development, innovation and engagement, as may reasonably be required taking account of the nature and scope of the duties of this position. The staff team is structured to enable team members to work cross functionally depending on experience and skillset even if their primary assignment is not to that area.
- To work cooperatively in conjunction with other Sense Ability Matters staff/departments to implement the organisation’s business plan.
- It is a requirement of all staff that they:
- Work to support of the values of the charity. These promote respect of service users recognising their skills and entitlement to choice, dignity and independence.
- Work positively in support of the principles outlined in the organisation’s Equality and Diversity Policy.
- Assist in maintaining a safe working environment by attending training in basic and specialist health and safety as necessary, both on appointment and as changes in duties and the law require and to follow the requirements of the Sense Ability Matters Health and Safety at Work policy and any local codes of safe working practices.
- Comply with the requirement of the charity’s human resource policies and procedures.
Special Requirements
The post will involve often working without direct supervision, occasional lone working and some working out of normal office hours.
A willingness to work in an environment with Guide Dogs is essential.
Advocacy work will be delivered in a variety of locations, including service users homes, places of work, local community etc, therefore a driving licence, access to a vehicle for work purposes and willingness to travel is essential.
An enhanced DBS Disclosure is required for this post which SAM will pay for.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
EDUCATION
- Proficient use of the Microsoft Office suite of programmes – Essential
- Advocacy qualification (or willingness to work towards) - Desirable
- Knowledge of any database or CRM systems (eg Charitylog, Sales Force or others) – Desirable
SKILLS
- Experience of working or volunteering in health, social care, or advice and guidance services – Essential
- Knowledge of health and social care systems and how to support people to access services - Essential
- A good understanding of the emotional issues individuals may be facing and the ability to provide or refer to appropriate support – Essential
- A person-centred and empathetic approach to supporting others - Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills – Essential
- BSL user - Desirable
- Strong communication skills, including the ability to listen actively and adapt communication to meet individual needs - Essential
- Ability to build trust and positive relationships with clients and professionals – Essential
- Awareness of the importance of confidentiality, safeguarding and professional boundaries - Essential
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage own workload, work independently, organise multiple tasks and achieve results without close supervision – Essential
- Willingness to learn new software packages – Essential
- Creativity and resourcefulness to help identify solutions to problems – Essential
EXPERIENCE
- Previous experience of working as an Advocate or in a similar role supporting clients to understand their rights and make decisions – Desirable
- Formal training or qualifications in advocacy, social care or a related field – Desirable
- Experience of supporting individuals with complex needs, including those who may have significant communication barriers - Desirable
- Report writing and record keeping – Essential
- Monitoring and reviewing individual progress – Essential
ATTRIBUTES
- Ability to develop relationships with internal and external contacts – Essential
- Must possess a high standard of integrity – Essential
- A commitment to work in accordance with the principles of equality and diversity – Essential
- A flexible approach and willingness to learn and develop - Essential
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