Job summary
We are looking for a qualified advocate to join us. If you are already a qualified advocate this is an opportunity to join a great team. You will be able to work flexibly and under your own initiative, manage your own caseload, and work towards specialising in your chosen area. We provide ongoing supervision, expenses towards travel, and ongoing training, as well as encouraging innovative and creative working. We are currently contracted to provide IMHA, IMCA, PRPR, Care act, and General advocacy (including 1.2 representative). If you do not have experience in all these areas, we will support you to gain this experience and the relevant qualifications.
Main duties of the job
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- To
provide Independent Advocacy (instructed and non-instructed) to qualifying service
users across Teesside as required.
- To
meet with individual service users to determine their needs for support,
information and representation. To promote self-advocacy and assist service
users to self-advocate as appropriate.
- To
provide information to service users about their care, treatment and legal
rights under the Mental Health Act during IMHA casework.
Please see the attached job description for a full list of responsibilities.
About us
We are Teesside's Leading Mental Health Charity.
We believe everyone has the right to enjoy good mental health and have access to the best possible care and services.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job purposes:
- To provide Independent Advocacy to qualifying people across Teesside
within inpatient and community settings.
- Provide statutory and non-statutory advocacy across Teesside as
required.
- If you already have qualifications/experience in IMCA and RPR work,
you will have the opportunity to undertake this work.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job purposes:
- To provide Independent Advocacy to qualifying people across Teesside
within inpatient and community settings.
- Provide statutory and non-statutory advocacy across Teesside as
required.
- If you already have qualifications/experience in IMCA and RPR work,
you will have the opportunity to undertake this work.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Working with people with mental health and/or physical health issues
- Previous experience in a formalised advocacy role
- Supporting people to have their views heard and/or rights upheld
- Working within a health and/or social care setting
- Successful partnership working with statutory and other agencies
- Working within agreed protocols, policies and reporting requirements
- Undertaking casework and managing a caseload
Desirable
- Direct personal experience of physical and/or mental health issues as a service user or carer
Qualifications
Essential
- National Advocacy qualification
Desirable
- Educated to Level 4 equivalent
- Specialist advocacy module (eg IMHA, IMCA)
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of mental health services and/or health and social care
- Knowledge of the issues facing people who experience mental health problems including individuals subject to the Mental Health Act
- Knowledge of the advocacy role and the potential challenges related to it
- Knowledge of the Mental Health Acts 1983 and 2007, including service users right and safeguards
- Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005
Skills
Essential
- Able to engage with vulnerable adults and work with people experiencing mental and/or physical health problems
- Able to advocate on behalf of others
- Excellent communication skills - verbal, written and presentation
- Able to work within strict confidentiality guidelines
- Able to establish and maintain effective relationships with other professionals
- Excellent organisational skills, the ability to manage and prioritise a case load and work on own initiative
Personal
Essential
- Motivated, assertive and accurate worker
- Compassionate, person-centred and non-judgmental approach
- Commitment to Minds values and objectives
- Willingness to work within Minds policies and procedures
- Willingness to undertake professional development
- Ability and willingness to work flexibly
- Current clean driving licence (or equivalent e.g. PA driver) own car user and able to travel
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Working with people with mental health and/or physical health issues
- Previous experience in a formalised advocacy role
- Supporting people to have their views heard and/or rights upheld
- Working within a health and/or social care setting
- Successful partnership working with statutory and other agencies
- Working within agreed protocols, policies and reporting requirements
- Undertaking casework and managing a caseload
Desirable
- Direct personal experience of physical and/or mental health issues as a service user or carer
Qualifications
Essential
- National Advocacy qualification
Desirable
- Educated to Level 4 equivalent
- Specialist advocacy module (eg IMHA, IMCA)
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of mental health services and/or health and social care
- Knowledge of the issues facing people who experience mental health problems including individuals subject to the Mental Health Act
- Knowledge of the advocacy role and the potential challenges related to it
- Knowledge of the Mental Health Acts 1983 and 2007, including service users right and safeguards
- Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005
Skills
Essential
- Able to engage with vulnerable adults and work with people experiencing mental and/or physical health problems
- Able to advocate on behalf of others
- Excellent communication skills - verbal, written and presentation
- Able to work within strict confidentiality guidelines
- Able to establish and maintain effective relationships with other professionals
- Excellent organisational skills, the ability to manage and prioritise a case load and work on own initiative
Personal
Essential
- Motivated, assertive and accurate worker
- Compassionate, person-centred and non-judgmental approach
- Commitment to Minds values and objectives
- Willingness to work within Minds policies and procedures
- Willingness to undertake professional development
- Ability and willingness to work flexibly
- Current clean driving licence (or equivalent e.g. PA driver) own car user and able to travel
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
