Self-Advocacy Coordinator

Post Details

• Permanent 15 hours per week
• Reference Number: 2026-133

Application Process

• Please apply with a current C.V.
• Closing Date: June 21st, 2026
• For further enquiries, please contact: Noreen McGarry, Community Inclusion Coordinator, Email: nmcgarry@westerncare.com

Job Brief

The Self-Advocacy Coordinator will support and empower people with intellectual disabilities to have a strong voice in decisions that affect their lives, services, rights, and communities. The role will promote meaningful participation, independence, inclusion, and rights-based practice across the organisation.

The successful candidate will work directly with the people we support to develop self-advocacy skills, strengthen confidence and leadership; create opportunities for individuals and groups to influence organisational development and service delivery. This role also contributes to the strategic development of advocacy initiatives across the organisation, ensuring the voices of people supported are central to planning, policy, quality improvement and service design.

Qualification Details

Social Care Worker applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Have Coru Registration to practice as a Social Care Worker

OR

• Hold a qualification recognised by the Social Care Workers Registration Board at CORU (as listed on the CORU website: www.coru.ie). Eligible qualifications must fall under one of the following categories:

o Approved Qualifications

o Schedule 3 Qualifications

o Sufficiently Relevant Qualifications

AND

• Provide confirmation of an ongoing application for registration with CORU.

Salary Scales

Self Advocacy Coordinator (Social Care Worker Pay Scale) 

Scale Range €36,381 to €54,744 per annum – hourly rate from €17.88 to €26.90

- this is based on full time working hours i.e. 39 hours per week

Other Duties Involved(Duties include, but are not limited to, the following)

• Contribute to and actively participate in the local service planning process, supporting the creative development and responding to the ongoing and changing needs of the service.
• Provide personal care and practical support to individuals as required.
• Ensure a safe and respectful workplace, adhering to the organisation’s Dignity at Work Policy and all Health & Safety requirements.
• Promote safety in all environments in line with the Association’s practices and guidelines.
• Use positive and proactive approaches to support individuals who may present challenging behaviours, consistent with organisational policies and best practice.

Other Requirements

• Full driver’s license is essential.
• All applicants will be subject to Irish Garda Vetting and Reference checks.
• Applicants from countries outside the E.U. must provide relevant work authorization to take up employment in the Republic of Ireland. This documentation must be submitted with the application.
• Applicants who have lived outside of the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland for more than six months since the age of 16 will be required to provide Overseas Police Clearance.

Employment Benefits

• Competitive Salary in line with Department of Health consolidated scales
• Premium payments, including anti-social hours payments on residential rosters.
• Pension and Life Insurance Scheme.
• Generous Annual Leave often exceeding statutory entitlement.
• Dedicated learning and opportunities for career progression
• Flexible working arrangements where feasible.
• Comprehensive Induction process.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which includes counselling support.
• Bike-to-Work Scheme.
• Sick pay scheme.

Health

Applicants must be fully competent and capable of performing the duties of this role and be in a state of health that indicates a reasonable prospect of providing regular, reliable and efficient service

Job Summary

The Self-Advocacy Coordinator will support and empower people with intellectual disabilities to have a strong voice in decisions that affect their lives, services, rights, and communities. The role will promote meaningful participation, independence, inclusion, and rights-based practice across the organisation.

The successful candidate will work directly with the people we support to develop self-advocacy skills, strengthen confidence and leadership; create opportunities for individuals and groups to influence organisational development and service delivery.

This role also contributes to the strategic development of advocacy initiatives across the organisation, ensuring the voices of people supported are central to planning, policy, quality improvement and service design.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Self-Advocacy & Empowerment

• Facilitate and support the organisations representative forum the Mayo Self -Advocacy group.
• Support self-advocacy groups and forums across services.
• Promote the rights, choices, independence, and active participation of people supported.
• Support individuals to express their views, wishes, goals, and concerns in accessible and meaningful ways.
• Encourage participation in decision-making at personal, service, and organisational level.
• Utilise accessible resources and communication supports to enhance participation and understanding.
• Support people to build confidence, leadership skills, and self-determination.

Advocacy Development

• Promote a culture of advocacy and rights-based practice throughout the organisation.
• Work collaboratively with staff teams to embed self-advocacy approaches in everyday service delivery.
• Assist in developing advocacy initiatives, policies, and projects aligned with organisational strategy and national disability policy.
• Contribute to strategic planning and continuous improvement in advocacy practices across the organisation.
• Gather feedback and lived experience from people supported to inform service development and quality improvement.
• Support consultation processes and representation opportunities for people supported.

Collaboration & Partnership

• Liaise with community organisations, and external advocacy groups where appropriate.
• Build positive working relationships that support inclusion and community participation.
• Represent the organisation at relevant advocacy meetings, networks, and events.

Training & Awareness

• Support staff training and awareness initiatives relating to human rights, self-advocacy, communication, and person-centred practice.
• Promote understanding of advocacy and the importance of listening to and acting on the voices of people supported.

Administration & Reporting

• Maintain accurate records and reports relating to advocacy activities and outcomes.
• Assist in monitoring and evaluating the impact of advocacy initiatives.
• Contribute to organisational reports, strategic plans, and quality reviews as required.

Importance of Advocacy in Intellectual Disability Services

Effective self-advocacy promotes independence, confidence, inclusion, dignity, and personal development.

The organisation is committed to creating opportunities where the voices of people supported are heard, valued, and acted upon. Self-advocacy strengthens person-centred services by ensuring individuals actively shape the supports they receive and contribute to the wider direction of the organisation.

This role plays a key part in fostering a culture where people are empowered to speak up for themselves, participate fully in their communities and exercise their rights in meaningful and accessible ways.

Qualifying Criteria

Essential Requirements

• Relevant qualification in Social Care.
• Experience working within intellectual disability or community services.
• Knowledge of person-centred practice, human rights and advocacy principles.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to facilitate groups and build positive relationships.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills.
• Use of social media to promote Advocacy.
• Commitment to inclusion, equality and empowering people with disabilities.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience facilitating self-advocacy groups or community participation initiatives.
• Knowledge of national disability policy and rights-based frameworks.
• Knowledge of United Nations Convention of Persons with Disabilities. (UNCRPD)
• Knowledge of the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act.
• Knowledge of New Directions/HIQA Standards.
• Experience contributing to strategic or organisational development initiatives.

Working Relationships and Communication

• Develop and contribute to good working relationships in the Organisation and with all other relevant personnel.
• Report to and appraise line manager or designate of all work-related issues and difficulties.
• Follow the Association’s Grievance and Disciplinary Procedure, available on the Association’s intranet.
• Maintain strict confidentiality relating to matters regarding personnel and services.
• Attend and actively participate in team meetings as required.
• Actively participate in supervisory support as per Organisation Procedure.
• Be familiar with and operate within relevant local and organisational procedure, directives and general information made available through the line manager.

General

• Promote and develop good community networks which support people we support with inclusion and integration.
• Promote a positive image and name of the Association in the wider community.
• Be accountable and responsible for input into service planning and delivery, together with job performance as per role within the Association.
• Promote dignity at work and show respect to people we support, colleagues and stakeholders in the course of duty. 
• Act in a confidential manner when dealing with personal information relating to people we support, families and staff.
• Attend staff training events as required and implement learning in the workplace.
• Perform any other appropriate duties as requested by the person in charge.

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