Job description
Job Role: - Senior Practitioner
MPA are pleased to be recruiting on behalf of our client for a Senior Practitioner.
The Senior Practitioner will deliver an effective engagement, involvement, advocacy and support service to the public, including patients, service users, carers, families and communities on both an individual and group basis across Northern Ireland.
Our work is based on speaking directly to people and listening to their opinions, experiences and hopes about health and social care.
This information is now being used by decision makers to help them make changes to the way that services are provided.
Location: - Belfast
Hours of Work: - 37.5 Hours (Mon- Fri)
Salary: - £16.04 Per hour
What the role entails:
- To provide individual advocacy support to the public and their families which involves promoting the interests of the individual and helping them find their voice.
- To assist individuals in sharing their views about health and social care services and supporting them to get involved in change processes.
- To work across the client’s engagement structures including facilitating conversations with members, hosting Citizen Hubs and facilitating Engagement Platform discussions and working groups.
- To provide 1:1 advice, guidance and confidential support to people who use the clients’ services over the phone and in person at relevant meetings. This may include supporting individuals who have a concern, complaint or issue relating to the service.
- To manage a defined caseload of individuals or group advocacy as determined by your line manager and meet with them as required.
- To participate in a Duty Rota, answering calls coming through the helpline, providing immediate support and guidance, and working alongside team members to manage the email inbox.
- To use problem solving skills in the provision of guidance, signposting, and support to members of the public.
- Seek advice from colleagues and escalate to Service Managers where appropriate.
Qualification and Experience
1a. A university degree or a relevant professional qualification and 2 years’ experience in working in a paid capacity with vulnerable people who require support to overcome significant challenges
OR
1b. At least 5 years’ experience in working with vulnerable people who require support to overcome significant challenges, to include 1 years’ experience of coordinating projects or casework that involve partnership work and people engagement or advocacy.
AND
2. Experience of liaising with or working in statutory and voluntary agencies.
3. Experience of developing effective relationships with service providers who are the subject of concerns, to achieve an appropriate balance between advocacy and constructive challenge to the benefit of users of the service.
4. Experience of engaging with people and using advanced communication skills, including empathy and active listening, to establish rapport and work effectively to understand and resolve concerns.