Advocacy Trainer and Mentor in Hate Crime and Domestic Violence (Part Time)

ABOUT CHOICE IN HACKNEY

Choice in Hackney is a Disabled People User Led Organisation, run by disabled people, for disabled people.

We support disabled people from all communities to obtain the services they need to live independently, with dignity and to make choices about their own lifestyles.

Choice in Hackney was founded in 1992. It originally consisted of two part-time advocates and a Co-ordinator. Now, the organisation has grown to include a robust advocacy project staffed by three part time advocates; a hate crime advocacy project; a training department delivering Advocacy and Employment training as well as job coaching; and a volunteering project delivering befriending, gardening and active lifestyle services.

Today, Choice in Hackney is one of the largest Disabled People’s Organisations in Hackney. We assist over 200 disabled people a year to access services, challenge injustice, improve their employability prospects, live actively and participate in society.

ABOUT THE ROLE

• Develop, review and deliver one accredited training programme each year in either Disability Hate Crime or Disability & Domestic Violence, depending upon organisational need and learner demand.
• Provide mentoring and professional support to advocacy trainees during their work placements at CHOICE IN HACKNEY or host organisations.
• Support trainees in developing safe, person-centred advocacy skills through supervision, reflective practice and practical case guidance.
• Maintain a small advocacy caseload where appropriate in order to model good advocacy practice and provide real-life learning opportunities.
• Lead on monitoring, evaluation and continuous improvement of the training and mentoring programme.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Training

• Design, develop and review a comprehensive training programme in Disability Hate Crime and Disability & Domestic Violence.
• Ensure training reflects current legislation and best practice.
• Produce and maintain accessible training materials and presentations.
• Deliver the training programme using a range of teaching methods including presentations, group discussions, case studies and practical exercises.
• Assess learners’ understanding and provide support and constructive feedback.
• Adapt learning materials to meet differing learning styles and accessibility requirements.
• Maintain accurate learner attendance, assessment and evaluation records.
• Ensure Disability Hate Crime training includes: responding to disability hate crime, relevant legislation and criminal justice processes, identifying and reporting hate crime, safeguarding responsibilities, evidence gathering and record keeping, advocacy skills, partnership working with police and other agencies, victim support services and promoting the rights of disabled people.
• Ensure Disability & Domestic Violence training includes: domestic violence awareness, safety planning and risk assessment, child protection processes, Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC), housing issues, civil and criminal court processes, trauma-informed practice and partnership working with specialist agencies.
• Contribute to the monthly alumni Job Club and network in conjunction with the work coaches.

Mentoring

• Provide one-to-one and group mentoring sessions throughout trainee placements.
• Support trainees to apply classroom learning within real advocacy settings.
• Guide trainees through complex advocacy situations while promoting professional confidence and resilience.
• Share professional knowledge, experience and best practice.
• Identify individual learning needs and agree development goals with each trainee.
• Develop best practice guidance for advocacy trainees.

Advocacy Practice

• Support service users experiencing Disability Hate Crime and/or Domestic Violence to identify their needs and develop support plans.
• Provide independent advocacy, information and practical support.
• Support service users to understand their rights, available options and relevant services.
• Where appropriate, assist service users through criminal justice, civil justice or safeguarding processes.
• Support service users in accessing specialist agencies including police, housing providers, domestic abuse services, legal advisers, health services and victim support services.
• Promote self-advocacy wherever appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and confidential case records using CHOICE’s recording systems.

Monitoring

• Capture outcomes using i.e. CHOICE’s Impact Outcomes and Evaluation framework and/or the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi), and Outcomes Star which focus on independence, quality of life and upholding people’s rights.
• Lead on the monitoring and evaluation of mentees service delivery and produce reports.
• Be self-sufficient in administration, maintaining records, letter and report writing.
• Develop jointly with the Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer, realistic work programmes for each year, targets for achievement and quality assurance measures in keeping with CHOICE’s monitoring and evaluation procedures.
• Work as a member of the team.
• Undertake any other tasks and duties commensurate with the post as directed by the Coordinator and/or Chief Executive Officer.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

Essential requirements

• Direct experience of disability.
• Significant experience of providing advocacy or specialist support within Domestic Violence and/or Hate Crime services.
• Working with disabled people at risk.
• Delivering training to adults.
• Mentoring, supervising or supporting staff, volunteers or trainees.
• Case recording, monitoring and report writing.

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge

• Excellent understanding of Domestic Violence and/or Hate Crime legislation and practice.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practice.
• Knowledge of Criminal Justice and victim support services.
• Excellent presentation and training skills.
• Being administratively self-supporting.
• Skilled at giving information and advice to individuals and groups and an interest in developing those skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Good organisational skills.
• Ability to work to own initiative and under pressure.
• Ability to form good working relationships with clients and maintain professional boundaries.
• Ability to maintain client confidentiality, in accordance with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU) 2016/679.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to use Information Technology packages such as Charity Log, Microsoft Word, Access, Powerpoint and Excel.

Commitments

• Commitment to, and understanding of, the Social Model of Disability.
• Commitment to, and understanding of Equal Opportunities.
• Enthusiastic and positive attitude to work and commitment to the ethos of CHOICE IN HACKNEY.

Other

• Willingness to attend some evening and weekend meetings.
• Willingness to carry out outreach including home visits as and when necessary.

Desirable Requirements

• Recognised teaching or training qualification (Award in Education & Training, PTLLS, Level 3 Award in Education & Training or equivalent).
• Independent Advocacy Qualification.
• IDVA qualification or equivalent experience.
• Hate Crime Advocacy training or specialist qualification.
• Experience in developing accredited training.
• Experience of partnership working across statutory and voluntary sectors.
• Experience of online training delivery.

Salary: £37,828 per annum for 35-hours per week Pro rata £15,131 per annum for 14-hours per week

Contract: Fixed term ending June 2031