The purpose of an Advocate is to support, represent, and empower individuals to ensure their views, wishes, and rights are heard, understood, and respected.
An Advocate works independently alongside a person, helping them to:
Understand their rights, options, and available services.
Express their views, wishes, feelings, and concerns.
Participate in decisions that affect their lives.
Access information, support, and services.
Challenge decisions or raise concerns where appropriate.
Reduce barriers to communication and participation.
Promote choice, independence, dignity, and equality.
Advocates do not make decisions on behalf of the person. Instead, they help individuals make informed choices and ensure their voice remains at the centre of decision-making processes.
Providing information and guidance.
Attending meetings alongside individuals.
Supporting complaints, appeals, and safeguarding processes.
Liaising with professionals and agencies.
Assisting with housing, health, social care, education, benefits, or family-related matters.
Recording actions, outcomes, and client wishes.
Maintaining confidentiality and professional boundaries.
Promoting safeguarding and wellbeing.
Skills, Experience and Qualities Needed
We are looking for a compassionate and motivated individual with excellent communication and organisational skills. Applicants should have experience supporting vulnerable people and a commitment to promoting independence, rights, and inclusion. The successful candidate will be empathetic, professional, reliable, and capable of working both independently and as part of a team. Experience within advocacy, social care, education, family support, safeguarding, or community services is desirable. Knowledge of relevant legislation and safeguarding practices would be advantageous.
The Advocate role is flexible and community-based, with work taking place across County Durham. Support may be provided:
In community settings, meetings and appointments.
Remotely by Microsoft Teams, telephone or email.
At times agreed according to client needs and service requirements.
Some flexibility may be required for scheduled meetings and appointments.
Training, Support Offered & Expenses
Full induction and ongoing training relevant to the Advocate role.
Ongoing supervision, guidance and support from The Vault team.
Opportunities to develop knowledge and practical advocacy skills.
Support with safeguarding, professional boundaries and working with clients.
Reasonable travel and other agreed volunteering expenses will be reimbursed.
Relevant additional training and development opportunities may be offered where available.
Volunteer Benefits
Volunteering as an Advocate can provide valuable experience while making a positive difference to people who need support.
Make a meaningful difference by helping people have their voice, wishes and rights heard.
Gain practical experience in advocacy and client support.
Develop communication, listening, confidence and problem-solving skills.
Build experience of working alongside professionals and community services.
Develop knowledge of safeguarding, confidentiality and professional boundaries.
Gain valuable experience for careers in advocacy, social care, SEND, community work, wellbeing and support services.
Receive training, ongoing guidance and support.
Meet new people and become part of a supportive team.
Build confidence and gain a sense of achievement from helping others.
Gain experience that can strengthen your CV and future applications.
This is a flexible, community-based role involving both remote working and attendance at meetings and appointments. Access to reliable transport is desirable. Reasonable adjustments and individual accessibility requirements will be considered and supported wherever possible.
Volunteers will be expected to maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries and accurate records.
A commitment to equality, inclusion, safeguarding and person-centred advocacy is essential.
The role may involve supporting people who are experiencing difficult or sensitive circumstances.
Volunteers must act professionally and ensure the individual's voice, wishes and rights remain central to their support.
Relevant checks, references and induction requirements will apply where appropriate.
The Vault welcomes applications from people with lived experience and values the skills and insight this can bring to advocacy.
