When We Need You

From 02/03/2009 onwards

About Opportunity

seeks advocacy workers to represent the interests of and speak on behalf of vulnerable people in the Western Isles who need support to make their views and wishes known to others After receiving initial training in advocacy skills, the Volunteer Advocacy Worker will be matched with clients by the Advocacy Co-ordinator (to whom they will be responsible). The Volunteer Advocacy Worker will be expected to find ways to understand their client's interests and represent those interests as if they were their own. Undertake an initial training programme in advocacy skills On completion of initial training, to act as an advocacy worker in either short or long-term issue- based advocacy situations Help express client's concerns and aspirations, obtain social, recreational, health and education services and provide other practical and emotional support Attend training, supervision and support meetings as required Provide a good working relationship with families and carers of service users, ensuring the needs of the service user comes first In all cases to represent the client as if the problem was your own Enable the client to act independently whenever possible Deal with clients requests promptly and efficiently Maintain the rules of confidentiality Keep accurate records and returns of information Work within the policies