WORKING AS AN ADVOCATE
YAP advocates come from all walks of life and make a huge difference to the lives of Young People. The training and experience YAP Ireland provide also opens-up opportunities for advocates to become skilled and experienced at working within their community in a strengths-based way.YAP advocates are employed under a Fixed Purpose Contracts and are paid an hourly rate to provide a one-to-one service to Young People and Families for up to 15 hours per week.
Not having a professional qualification is not a barrier to working as a YAP advocate. We look for people with a wide range of experiences who have some experience of working with young people either in a paid or voluntary capacity and most importantly are passionate about working with and supporting young people and families to achieve their goals.
The Role Of An Advocate Is To:
- To build a trusting relationship with young people & parents /carers
- To work with young people and families to achieve their goals
- To identify and link young people and families with the appropriate community supports
- To support young person to identify their interests and support parent with parenting
As An Advocate You Need To Be:
- A good listener and a positive role model
- Available for flexible working hours, evenings and weekends
- Interested in your community and want to make a difference
- Have a full driving license and access to your own transport
Advocates report to Team Leaders and with their support develop a strengths based, needs-led Individual Service Plan (ISP) with the young person and family.
Following interviews and training, successful candidates form a panel for consideration throughout year Advocates are required to get Garda Clearance/ and overseas clearance if necessary.
When an Advocate is matched to a young person, they are required to attend fortnightly supervisions and monthly team meetings.