Universal Advocate

• Salary: £24,784.50 FTE – will uplift to £26,284 FTE from 1st October 2026
• Hours: 20 hours per week – 37.5 hours per week
• Contract: Permanent and Fixed Term – 12 months
• Location: Advonet’s office at the Unity Business Centre, Leeds LS7 1AB
• Closing Date: Friday 18th September 2026 at 12 Noon
• Interviews on: Monday 28th September 2026

We have an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about upholding people’s rights to work as a Universal Advocate and join our existing team of advocates who provide this service across Leeds.

You will use your knowledge and proven skills working with and supporting individuals to have a voice and advocate with, and for them. You will be expected to work across all the advocacy areas (both statutory and non-statutory) as required within the Universal Advocacy model and training will be provided.

• Within service boundaries, to provide high quality independent advocacy.
• To keep timely, accurate client contact and other records using The Advonet Group’s database and any other recording system in place.
• To empower clients to build on their strengths and promote self-advocacy as appropriate.
• To work in an instructed manner wherever possible or use a non-instructed approach to establish as far as possible, the clients’ views, wishes and feelings, using appropriate forms of communication with clients.
• Be willing to work towards achieving the Independent Advocacy Qualification (IAQ).

• Providing a welcoming, professional and responsive service to all clients, staff and external stakeholders.
• Managing incoming referrals and enquiries, ensuring information is recorded accurately and processed efficiently.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues within the First Contact Team to ensure workloads are managed effectively and deadlines are met.
• Using a range of computer systems, databases and software confidently and accurately to maintain records and support service delivery.
• Communicating clearly and effectively with clients, colleagues and partner organisations, both verbally and in writing.
• Handling sensitive and confidential information appropriately, ensuring compliance with data protection legislation and organisational policies.
• Demonstrating excellent attention to detail when recording information, managing referrals and completing administrative tasks.
• Developing and maintaining a good understanding of the organisation’s services to provide accurate information and guidance.
• Supporting continuous improvement by identifying issues, sharing information and contributing to team objectives.
• Undertaking training and development opportunities to build knowledge of advocacy services and organisational procedures.

• Ability to develop and maintain trusting and positive professional relationships with people who use our services.
• Ability to communicate effectively with different audiences in a variety of settings and using different formats.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a range of stakeholders e.g. partner organisations, statutory services.
• Good IT skills in order to be self-supporting, including online research, production of reports and presentations.

Established in 2001, The Advonet Group is an independent advocacy charity based in Leeds. The Advonet Group is comprised of statutory and non-statutory advocacy services and specialist inclusion services (Asking You, Autism AIM). All our services support individuals to have their voices heard and their rights upheld.

We are united in our commitment to uphold the nationally recognised advocacy principles and have a diverse staff team of 80 people working within the organisation. We are a Disability…