Universal Advocate


Company:	Advonet
Salary:	from £24,784.50 a year, pro rata
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Leeds, LS7 1AB
Working pattern:	Hybrid - 2 days remote
Job type:	Contract
Posting date:	24 Aug 2026
Closing date:	22 Sept 2026

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Summary

Salary: £24,784.50 FTE

Hours: 20 hours per week – 37.5 hours per week

Contract: Permanent & Fixed Term – 12 months

Location: Advonet office at The Unity Business Centre, LS7 1AB.

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.

About the role:

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.

You will be expected to:

• 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).

We are looking for someone who has:

• 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.

Essential Experience:

• Experience of providing independent advocacy or experience of supporting

individuals to have a voice and uphold their rights.

• Experience of working with people who are facing disadvantage or are from

disenfranchised groups.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Packages e.g. Word and Outlook.

About Us:

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, CHANGE and Leeds 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 confident and Mindful Employer with Investors in People and Volunteers and have achieved the Advocacy Quality Performance Mark.

The Advonet Group values and respects the diversity of backgrounds, experiences and knowledge that staff, volunteers and job applicants bring. All our staff undertake mandatory training on both Equality and Diversity and LGBTQ+ Awareness to increase awareness and understanding of discrimination both in and out of the workplace, with a view to reduce the impact this has on our colleagues and the wider community. This creates a workplace where staff feel comfortable to be themselves and empowers them, and our service users, to use their unique experiences to inform their work.

Benefits of working with us:

• Up to 31 days annual leave, plus bank holidays

• Access to a cashback health plans and Employee Support scheme

• Flexible working arrangements

• Welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment

Closing date: Tuesday 22nd September 2026 at 12 Noon.

Interviews to be held on: Friday 2nd October 2026

How to apply:

To apply for this role please send your completed cover letter and CV explaining how you meet the criteria listed in the job description and person specification to jobs@advonet.org.uk. You will find a Recruitment Pack on our website www.advonet.org.uk which includes the job description and person specification. You will also need to complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, which can also be found on our website.

For more information or an informal chat about the post, please call 0113 244 0606 and ask to speak to Libby Plum or Sarah Smith.

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