Peer Advocate (entry level role)

As a Peer Advocate you will be responsible for providing 1:1 support to up to 10 service users. You will support service users to access appropriate services and develop, monitor, evaluate and report on the action plans of service users under the guidance of the Team Leader. Your aim within the role will be ensure service users are building positive change in their lives and achieving their goals.

You will work in partnership with staff, volunteers, and the people we support to guarantee that we maintain a high-quality service which meets the needs of those engaged.

The successful candidate will commit to working in line with our workplace values which are:

• People first – people are our top priority. We care so everyone can be their best.
• Community – our actions and support help build stronger communities where people can find their place and thrive.
• Transformation – we do challenging work, creating positive change that helps people move on with their lives.
• Excellence – we strive to always be our best, to exceed expectations, to learn from our mistakes.
• Trust – we trust ourselves, our colleagues and those we work with to do the right thing, to show integrity, acceptance, respect and fairness in all we do.

Job Title: Peer Advocate (entry level role)
Salary: £23,400 per annum
Contract Type: Fixed Term for 24 months
Working Hours: 37.5 hrs per week
Location: Central Bedfordshire
Responsible to: Team Leader

What we are looking for?

• Lived or learned experience of the common issues faced by people with alcohol / substance misuse problems.
• High level of relationship skills: Empathy; caring; acceptance; mutual affirmation and supportive.
• Strong belief in change and a desire to support people to make positive lifestyle choices.
• Good administrative and IT skills including the use of Microsoft Office applications.
• Good communication skills, both written and oral.
• Adaptability to changing and emerging needs as the project develops demonstrating flexibility and resilience in challenging situations.
• The ability and willingness to learn and apply learning to support delivery, with a “can do” attitude.
• Full driving licence, own car and business insurance is essential.

What we offer?

• Competitive salary with annual salary reviews
• Training opportunities and career development
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Christmas closure between Christmas and New Year for all employees
• Life insurance (5x annual salary)
• Reflective practice – a group process that helps us to grow and develop professionally and personally, support us to build resilience and offers the space to consider how to balance work and life pressures
• Company phone and laptop provided to all staff
• Annual awards ceremony and celebration
• Refer a Friend Scheme - You could qualify for a £250 reward voucher if you refer someone you know into any paid, externally advertised position (permanent or fixed term) within CLI.

Overview

At CLI through our dedicated support services, peer-led mentoring, and practical and emotional support, we help people who have experience of the criminal justice system, addiction, homelessness, and mental ill-health, to recognise their potential as individuals, build their self-worth, their self-esteem and achieve their aspirations.

Our support and mentoring help people build a more fulfilling life and see how they can become part of, and positively impact, their community.

We work in partnership with other organisations that are striving to deliver positive impacts, support change, and share our commitment and values.

And we actively welcome those with lived experience of offending, addiction, homelessness, or mental health issues as part of our team. Where others see risk, we see opportunity.

We believe everyone deserves to feel valued, to be happy, to belong.

Community Led Initiatives is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications regardless of race, nationality, ethnic origin, sex, marital status, disability, or age. All applicants are considered based on their merits and abilities for the job. All posts are subject to enhanced DBS checks however it will not be used to discriminate unfairly against any individual. We actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills, and potential and welcome applications from a wide range of candidates, including those with criminal records.