Job summary
This is an excellent opportunity to develop a career in the health and social care field. As an advocate, you can make a real difference in peoples lives by helping them to have their voice heard and their rights upheld.You will also gain a lot of experience of working with other professionals in the fields of mental health, physical health, social care, law, and social work.
We have a great development programme which meansyou can progress from a trainee to qualified advocate. You will gain a Level 4 qualification in Independent Advocacy Practice. This job is varied and challenging, you will be working in the field with service users and professionals in settings such as care homes, secure mental health units, hospitals, and private homes.
We operate hybrid working with office base working in Middlesbrough, travel across Teesside and occasional home based working. Applicants must have a full valid driving licence and access to transport for site visits.
We are looking for someone to work full time 36.5hrs per week, however part-time will be considered on request.
Main duties of the job
The purpose of the role is:
- To provide Independent Advocacy to qualifying people across Teesside within in-patient and community settings.
- Provide statutory and non-statutory advocacy across Teesside as required.
About us
We're proud to have directly helped 27,000 local people this last year, more than we've ever supported. We've been working in local communities to improve mental health and wellbeing for 30 years and during that time our support has evolved, enabling us to help people in new and impactful ways.
We believe everyone has the right to enjoy good mental health and our team of trusted professionals provide expert support to help people lead full and happy lives. Whats more, we campaign locallyto improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding of what good mental health looks like.
Ours is a vibrant organisation to work for and our staff are our most important asset. We know just how important the benefits of a mentally healthy workplace are. So, it's only natural that our people and our culture are at the heart of all we do. Staff wellbeing is a high priority for us and we take great care and pride in making sure that everyone who works with us feels valued and supported. We're dedicated, friendly and open, working together to improve the lives of local people experiencing mental health problems.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- 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, Mental capacity Act, Care act and a range of other legislation.
- To provide general information on mental health issues, including consent, complaints, discharge and care planning.
- To assist service users to access appropriate support services as required.
- To advocate for service users at key meetings including discharge meetings,childrens services reviews, care reviews and ward meetings.
- To carry an advocacy caseload and ensure service users are kept informedand up to date on any work being carriedout on their behalf.
- To undertake all necessary case and time recording to ensure good practice and in line with Mind policies.
- To maintain strict confidentiality with regard to information given by, and information about, service users.
- To work as part of a team contributing to service developments and planning processes.
- To maintain up to date knowledge of mental health and community carepolicy, structure and legislation.
- To record all activity undertaken using agreed methods including numbers and types of referrals, demographics, caseload information, issues raised, outcomes of the service and unmet needs.
- To work within Minds policies and procedures at all times including risk assessment and risk management processes, Lone Working, Data Protection, Confidentiality and Safeguarding.
- To attend and actively participate in monthly support and supervision meetings and Peer Group Supervision.
- To take part in training and development activities as required.
- To undertake other tasks commensurate with the position as required.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- 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, Mental capacity Act, Care act and a range of other legislation.
- To provide general information on mental health issues, including consent, complaints, discharge and care planning.
- To assist service users to access appropriate support services as required.
- To advocate for service users at key meetings including discharge meetings,childrens services reviews, care reviews and ward meetings.
- To carry an advocacy caseload and ensure service users are kept informedand up to date on any work being carriedout on their behalf.
- To undertake all necessary case and time recording to ensure good practice and in line with Mind policies.
- To maintain strict confidentiality with regard to information given by, and information about, service users.
- To work as part of a team contributing to service developments and planning processes.
- To maintain up to date knowledge of mental health and community carepolicy, structure and legislation.
- To record all activity undertaken using agreed methods including numbers and types of referrals, demographics, caseload information, issues raised, outcomes of the service and unmet needs.
- To work within Minds policies and procedures at all times including risk assessment and risk management processes, Lone Working, Data Protection, Confidentiality and Safeguarding.
- To attend and actively participate in monthly support and supervision meetings and Peer Group Supervision.
- To take part in training and development activities as required.
- To undertake other tasks commensurate with the position as required.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Health and social care legislation (including safeguarding, Mental Health Act, Care Act) and/or statutory and non-statutory advocacy (including IMHA, IMCA, RPR)
- Knowledge and awareness of issues and challenges for people who use services
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of a range of local statutory and country sector organisations available to support people
- Knowledge of the advocacy role and the potential challenges related to it
Skills & Competencies
Essential
- Able to engage with vulnerable adults and work with people experiencing mental health issues, learning difficulties, neurodivergent and/or physical health issues
- Able to advocate on behalf of others and support others to self-advocate
- Able to establish and maintain effective relationships with other professionals and service users
- Ability to manage own work load, prioritise work tasks and use initiative to make appropriate decisions
- IT skills to a high level of proficiency including use of case management systems and Office 365
Experience & Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Level 3 equivalent
- Working with people with mental health, learning difficulties, neurodivergent and/or physical health issues
- Supporting people to have their views heard, rights upheld and understand information given to them
- Working within agreed protocols, policies and reporting requirements
Desirable
- Effective partnership working at all levels commissioners, staff, partnerships, professionals and other stakeholders
- Undertaking casework and managing a caseload
- Direct personal experience of physical and/or mental health issues as a service user or carer
Other Personal Qualities
Essential
- Caring, compassionate and person centred
- High level of enthusiasm and motivation
- Commitment to Teesside Minds values and objectives
- Willingness to undertake professional development
- Current driving licence and use of worn transport for work purposes
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Health and social care legislation (including safeguarding, Mental Health Act, Care Act) and/or statutory and non-statutory advocacy (including IMHA, IMCA, RPR)
- Knowledge and awareness of issues and challenges for people who use services
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of a range of local statutory and country sector organisations available to support people
- Knowledge of the advocacy role and the potential challenges related to it
Skills & Competencies
Essential
- Able to engage with vulnerable adults and work with people experiencing mental health issues, learning difficulties, neurodivergent and/or physical health issues
- Able to advocate on behalf of others and support others to self-advocate
- Able to establish and maintain effective relationships with other professionals and service users
- Ability to manage own work load, prioritise work tasks and use initiative to make appropriate decisions
- IT skills to a high level of proficiency including use of case management systems and Office 365
Experience & Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Level 3 equivalent
- Working with people with mental health, learning difficulties, neurodivergent and/or physical health issues
- Supporting people to have their views heard, rights upheld and understand information given to them
- Working within agreed protocols, policies and reporting requirements
Desirable
- Effective partnership working at all levels commissioners, staff, partnerships, professionals and other stakeholders
- Undertaking casework and managing a caseload
- Direct personal experience of physical and/or mental health issues as a service user or carer
Other Personal Qualities
Essential
- Caring, compassionate and person centred
- High level of enthusiasm and motivation
- Commitment to Teesside Minds values and objectives
- Willingness to undertake professional development
- Current driving licence and use of worn transport for work purposes
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
