Graduate Solicitor

Job description and person specification

Citizens Advice Sheffield provides a range of advice and advocacy services through digital means, by telephone and in person. We seek to empower our clients and support them to improve their confidence and capability on a wide range of issues.

We aim for excellence. Our ambition is to be among the best advice and advocacy services in the country, and one of the leading voluntary and community organisations in Sheffield. We campaign for change to social policy to improve the well‑being of the people and communities we support.

We, in partnership with Cloverleaf Advocacy, SACMHA and Disability Sheffield, are responsible for delivering the Sheffield Advocacy Hub which brings together all statutory advocacy in the city.

Advocates are responsible for providing independent advocacy on one or more of the above projects. All of our advocates are required to work to the principles of the Advocacy Charter (2002).

The advocate seeks to support and empower clients to voice their wishes and feelings, and to become fully involved in key decisions about their lives.

The advocate provides support that is accessible, taking full account of clients’ communication and other needs.

Advocates provide services in a wide range of settings, including our own offices, those of partner agencies, hospital wards, care homes and when necessary, clients’ homes.

Advocates may also, subject to their skills, experience and where necessary accreditation, provide statutory advocacy services to our clients. Care Act, IMHA, IMCA and DoLS RPR advocates are statutory roles which must be carried out to particular standards, in line with the Care Act (2014), Mental Health Act (1983) and Mental Capacity Act (2005) Codes of Practice, their supplements and updates.

The advocate is required to undertake all their duties in accordance with Citizens Advice Sheffield policies and procedures, utilising national and local sources of information and guidance.

All advocates are required to:

• Take referrals to the service from clients themselves, professionals, friends and family members of clients as appropriate
• Support clients to express their wishes and feelings, and where possible give clear instruction to the advocate
• Research alternatives and provide information to clients to enable them to make informed decisions
• Agree action plans with clients wherever possible
• Assist clients to implement their action plan, including liaising with relevant agencies
• Assist clients to understand and exercise their rights to appeal under relevant legislation, to challenge decision makers, and to make referrals to solicitors where appropriate
• Communicate effectively with clients with diverse needs, and with professionals at all levels, including working with signers, interpreters and communications aids
• Create and maintain comprehensive client and service provision records, using information technology and other systems
• Provide verbal and written reports to professionals where this is required
• Provide services in accordance with all relevant quality standards
• Contribute to ensuring that service performance standards and targets are met
• Identify and report evidence to support social policy campaigns, participate in such campaigns

The advocate may, subject to their skills and experience, and subject to the needs of the service be required to:

• Supervise other advocates and volunteer advocates, including advocacy session supervision, case checking and independent file reviews

The advocate is required to undertake learning and development including:

• Keeping up to date with legislation and case law
• Keeping up to date with policies and procedures
• Attending internal and external training
• Obtaining and maintaining accreditation for specialist practice

This post requires a high level of ability in understanding, analysis and the resolution of issues. It is essential that the worker has previous significant experience of working with people with acute mental health needs, brain injury, learning disability or adults who…