Advocacy Support Officer

Respond is a leading Approved Housing Body and service provider working across Ireland for 40 years.Our vision is that every family and individual in Ireland will have high-quality housing as part of a vibrant and caring community.
This means working proactively with partners to create sustainable and vibrant communities where people want to live.
Respond is committed to equal employment and growing a diverse workforce.
If you do not tick every box there are likely other valuable attributes and skills that you have, that would make you a great fit for the organisation.
We welcome applications from people of all cultures, nationalities, genders and from anyone who has historically faced social exclusion.
If you feel this role is for you, then please apply.
Role: Advocacy Support Officer (RIGHT SUPPORT: RIGHT TIME) Location: Donegal County Reporting to: Advocacy Co-ordinator Terms: Full-time 39 hours per week (Monday to Friday) Salary: €39,017- €50,493 gross per annum (Please note that offers are typically made at the beginning to mid-range of the advertised salary, based on skills and experience) Contract: 3 year contract (subject to funding) Job Purpose: To promote positive mental wellbeing, increase resilience and prevent the deterioration of existing mental and emotional distress in people, families, and communities.
Main Duties / Responsibilities Service Delivery: Provide support to individuals with mild/moderate mental health needs to encourage and facilitate self-help, enabling individuals to better understand and manage their mental health through prevention and early intervention.
Provide Advocacy and Support for Service Users.
Facilitate the delivery of Psycho-social group support sessions.
Collation and dissemination of appropriate information including delivery of digital information and access to information.
Deliver Mindfulness and stress reduction programmes.
Provide Brief Solution Focussed interventions.
Delivery of Mental Health Recovery programmes.
Develop a single point of referral for Service Users.
Design and deliver small group work training and information sessions on a range of relevant topics Manage caseloads and prioritise workload as required.
Provide information and signposting to family members and carers.
Liaise, maintain and develop positive working relationships with relevant professionals.
Maintain timely and accurate case notes, providing formal and informal written and verbal reports on clients and casework as required.
Work alongside the Programme Co-ordinator to ensure timely and accurate reporting and record keeping.
Deliver training to clients and service users as required.
Facilitate and participate in team meetings.
Assist in the collation of client evaluation feedback as required.
Personal Development: Attend relevant & essential training as required.
Participate in supervision.
Keep up to date with best practice and relevant legislation.
Participate in and facilitate reflective practice groups.
Internal Systems: Collate and provide monthly and annual monitoring information as required.
Maintain confidentiality of information.
Ensure GDPR regulations are complied with.
General It is essential to the development of Respond that the post holder is able to respond flexibly and positively to changes in requirements of this post.The Co-ordinator Support Officer will be expected to work flexibly to meet the requirements of the role and support other services when required.
Members of staff are expected to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner in accordance with the Dignity at Work Procedure.
Staff are expected to demonstrate their commitment to Respond by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.
Work from a Trauma Informed perspective.
Take care of your own health and safety and that of people who may be affected by what you do (or do not do).
The Advocacy Support Officer will endeavour to ensure the on-going confidence of the public.
The Advocacy Support Officer will maintain high standards of personal accountability.
Comply with all relevant Respond Policies & Procedures.
Person Specification: A 3rd level qualification in Mental Health / Social Studies is required.
At least 3 years experience working in a Mental Health or Community Development / Engagement role.
Experience of designing and delivering group programmes.
Experience of providing Solution Focussed Interventions / Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) or similar programmes.
Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Fluent English is essential.
Good computer skills including experience using Client Relationship Management software and cloud based applications.
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours when required.
An understanding of the statutory and voluntary resources available to those experiencing mental health challenges.
Ability to work on own initiative.
A Full Clean Driving Licence is essential.
This job description is neither exhaustive nor exclusive and may be reviewed and amended in the future to include any other reasonable duties, projects or tasks as may be requested from time to time and to reflect changing organisational requirements, changing staffing levels, etc.
RIGHT SUPPORT: RIGHT TIME is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
RIGHT SUPPORT: RIGHT TIME Objective: Promote positive mental wellbeing, increase resilience, and prevent mental and emotional distress in people, families, and communities.
Partnership: Delivered by a unique collaboration of voluntary organisations from both sides of the border, including Inspire, Mencap, Cedar, Apex, Respond, ARC, Depaul, Red Cross, and SCI, with 430 years of combined experience.
Target Beneficiaries: People in Northern Ireland and Border counties of Ireland, focusing on underserved communities such as those in areas of multiple deprivation, people with disabilities, and refugees.
Goals: Promote help-seeking behaviours Create connected, healthier communities Reduce emotional distress Develop a person-centered, trauma-informed mental health service Three Elements of Support: Prevention, Self-Help, and Self-Management: Psycho-social group support sessions, Digital mental health interventions, Mindfulness and Stress Reduction sessions Extended Brief and Specialist Interventions: Solution-focused intervention, Mental Health Recovery programs, Advocacy Support, Counselling, and CBT Cooperation and Capacity Building: Single Point of Referral, Single Client Management System, Shared community of practice Staff Development: Access to personal and professional development opportunities, training, knowledge exchanges, and reflective practice.
Support: Funded through PEACEPLUS, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS FRIDAY, 29th AUGUST 2025.
Skills: programme delivery trauma informed mental health awareness