Advocacy Officer

Advocacy Officer - Dublin North East (Part-Time) This role involves providing independent advocacy, support, and rights guidance to care-experienced children and young people in Ireland. Job PurposeTo provide skilled independent advocacy support to children and young people who wish to raise concerns about their care or make representations.To empower care-leavers either by enabling them to represent their own views or by speaking on their behalf, or both.To ensure the child’s viewpoint is heard and, to assist the child/young person in seeking a satisfactory resolution to any issues raised.To provide information, support and advice to children and young people about their rights.To promote the participation of children and young people in decisions about their care.Main Responsibilities To provide one to one and group advocacy to children in care and care-leavers.To facilitate both individual and group advocacy projects that support the participation of children and care leavers in the decision-making processes that affect their lives.Ensure the recording and reporting of unmet need within your area of responsibility. Work in line with local child protection procedures in respect of ‘Children First’ and issues raised by children and young people.To establish and maintain strategic relationships with key partner organisations within the sector.To represent the organisation regionally and nationally as delegated by management.Contribute to the organisations policies and procedures in line with local and national strategic and legislative change.To develop and sustain partnerships with individuals, other organisations and local authority departments to ensure effective inter agency, inter disciplinary working.To ensure that appropriate detailed records of work undertaken are maintained in line with organisational policy and undertake monitoring and reporting of statistics.Assist in ensuring the participation of children and young people locally as part of EPIC’s national and local work. To build trusting relationships with children and young people seeking or receiving advocacy support.To promote and support the participation of children in care and aftercare planning.To identify need and undertake responsibility for the development of advocacy, advice, and information appropriate to children and care leavers in care and aftercare settings.To develop and undertake an information and publicity strategy which ensures that those children and care leavers who have need of advocacy are aware of and can access it.To liaise with agencies in the care and aftercare sector and ensure that care professionals in the statutory and private sectors are appropriately informed and can refer to the advocacy service.To undertake and develop advocacy training and information for other care professionals.To improve and enhance professional’s competence and practice through continuing professional development and regular supervision.To attend and participate in such meetings in the internal and external work environment as may be required for the efficient development of advocacy service.To contribute to the activities, promotion and development of EPIC as an agency working on behalf of children and care-leavers.To work in collaboration with participation, research and policy teamsContribute to quarterly and annual reports which are based on the agreed outcomes for your area of responsibility and attend liaison meetings as appropriate.Promote a children’s rights-based approach to practice.Ensure that all services provided meet agreed service levels, standards and outcomes.Adhere to EPIC’s policies and procedures and values at all times.Other Responsibilities Assist with organising and facilitate EPIC’s discussion and consultation groups.Carry out any other duties commensurate with the post as agreed by your line manager. CommunicationThe post holder will have contact with:Advocacy team colleagues.Colleagues from across EPIC departments, including youth engagement and participation and research and policy.Children and young people in your area of responsibility.Identified liaison contacts.Other voluntary and statutory organisations.Teamwork is important to the smooth running of the organisation and all team members are required to play an active part. This is important in relation to liaison with colleagues and, ensuring that the service provided meets service level agreements and contributing to the national work of the organisation. Essential Knowledge, Skills and AttitudeKnowledgeDemonstrable knowledge of:The issues affecting children and young people in the care system.The care system in Ireland.Children’s rights.Child protection issues.Advocacy and its principles.Current policy and practice in relation to children and young people.Skills and CompetenciesAbility to build strong relationships with other stakeholders in the sector.Ability to manage your time and workload to effectively meet deadlineAbility to work with initiative and flexibility and attend meetings and meet deadlines as appropriate to the needs of the job (these may occur outside regular office hours).Ability to effectively evidence and plan work.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both oral and written are required to achieve effective working relationships.Communicate effectively and appropriately, both verbally & in writing, to a range of internal and external audiences.Ability to form positive relationships with children and young people.Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and on own initiative.Ability to work some evenings and weekends, with possible overnight stays.AttitudeCommitment to the vision, mission, and values of EPIC.Flexibility and adaptability in response to strategic opportunities.Commitment to ongoing professional development.Commitment to, and understanding of, a working environment that promotes equal opportunities and has regard for race and ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, or gender identity and other diversity.Qualifications, Eligibility and Relevant Experience: A relevant degree level qualification and/or equivalent work experience.At least 3 years’ experience of working directly with vulnerable children and care-leaversHold a current driving license and have access to a vehicle. This criterion may be waived, if a disability prohibits driving. In this case, please demonstrate how you would meet the mobility requirements of this post.Applicants must have a legal right to work in Ireland.Please note EPIC, Empowering People in Care, believes in the value of a diverse workforce and encourages applications from people from all ethnic, cultural, religious, and social backgrounds. We also welcome candidates with care-experience. The job description attached does not define all responsibilities within the role but offers a detailed overview of the role. It is envisaged that the post-holder will be flexible in using their own initiative to develop the role in line with the objectives and mission of EPIC and the needs of the children and young people they will be working with. Working EnvironmentThe successful candidate will be based out of our Dublin Office at 7 Red Cow Lane, Smithfield, Dublin 7. Terms This is a part-time post (15 to 20 hours per week), with a six-month probation period. This is a fixed term contract (12 months)Annual leave entitlement of 25 days per annum, pro rata The office is closed for one day at Easter and three days at Christmas. These holiday days are additional to the annual leave entitlement. Participation in the company pension scheme is matched by a 5% Employer contribution, commencing on completion of the probationary period. All roles within EPIC are subject to Garda Vetting. Closing date for applications: Friday 7th November 2025 at 5.00pmSalary: €22,000 to €28,500 p.a. (depending on hours agreed)