Advocate

Rethink Mental Illness; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible field-based work

Training & development

Autonomy over schedule

Team support

Job summary

Rethink Mental Illness is seeking a dedicated Advocate for the Barnsley Advocacy Service. You will manage your own caseload, delivering statutory and non-statutory advocacy across Barnsley, including IMHA, IMCA and Children’s advocacy, while staying independent in practice.

The role involves field-based work visiting clients in hospitals, care homes, and homes, with travel across Barnsley and England as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience managing an advocacy caseload in paid or volunteer roles.
• Knowledge of advocacy principles and relevant legislation.
• Excellent communication and adaptable to individuals and circumstances.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage a varied workload.

Responsibilities

• Manage your own caseload and deliver statutory and non-statutory advocacy in Barnsley.
• Support rights, views and wishes in care decisions.
• Prepare reports and maintain case management records.
• Travel across Barnsley to visit clients and attend meetings.

Skills

Caseload management

Communication skills

IT skills

Report writing

Education

Level 3 National Advocacy Qualification

Level 4 Independent Advocacy Practice qualification

Level 2 Award in Independent Advocacy

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location: Field Based – Barnsley

Contract: Permanent, Full Time – 35 Hours

Salary: £26,457

DBS Check: Enhanced with Adults & Children

At Rethink Advocacy, advocacy is about more than representation. It's about empowering people to understand their rights, make informed decisions, and ensure their voices are heard when it matters most.

We're looking for a passionate and skilled Advocate to join our Barnsley Advocacy Service. Whether supporting someone in a hospital ward, care home, supported living setting, or their own home, you'll help people navigate complex situations and influence decisions that affect their lives.

Every day is different. You'll meet people from all walks of life, listen without judgement, build trust, and champion their wishes while remaining fiercely independent in your practice.

What you'll be doing

As an Advocate, you'll manage your own caseload and deliver high-quality statutory and non-statutory advocacy across Barnsley. The service covers a range of advocacy remits including IMHA, IMCA, ICAA, Community Advocacy, Children's and Young People's Advocacy and Paid Representative Person roles, depending on service demand.

You'll:

• Support people to understand their rights, choices and options.
• Ensure individuals have their views, wishes and feelings heard in decisions affecting their care and treatment.
• Deliver both instructed and non-instructed advocacy where appropriate.
• Work confidently within legislation including the Mental Capacity Act and relevant health and social care frameworks.
• Prepare reports and documentation to a high professional standard.
• Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
• Build effective relationships with professionals, carers and partner organisations.
• Promote advocacy services through presentations, awareness sessions and community engagement activities.
• Maintain accurate records and case management information.

This is a field-based role, so you'll be travelling across Barnsley to visit clients and attend meetings, training and service events. You'll enjoy the autonomy of managing your own diary while being supported by an experienced and collaborative team.

What we're looking for

We're interested in people who combine strong advocacy skills with genuine compassion and a commitment to empowering others.

You'll ideally have:

• A Level 3 National Advocacy Qualification or Level 4 Independent Advocacy Practice qualification, or a Level 2 Award in Independent Advocacy with a commitment to progressing your qualification pathway.
• Experience managing an advocacy caseload in a paid or volunteer capacity.
• Knowledge of advocacy principles, empowerment and relevant legislation.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to adapt your approach to different individuals and circumstances.
• Strong organisational skills and confidence managing a busy and varied workload.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
• The ability to travel throughout Barnsley and occasionally elsewhere in England for work-related activities.

Why join us?

When you join Rethink Mental Illness, you'll become part of a team that believes everyone deserves to be heard, valued and supported.

We offer:

• Meaningful work that makes a genuine difference to people's lives.
• Ongoing training, supervision and professional development.
• Opportunities to complete specialist advocacy qualifications and modules.
• Supportive colleagues and reflective practice sessions.
• Flexible, field-based working with autonomy over your schedule.
• A culture built on our CARES values: Connect, Accountable, Respect, Evolve and Success.

Who we are

At Rethink Mental Illness, people are at the heart of everything we do. Guided by our values of Passion, Commitment, Openness, Hope, Expertise, Understanding and Equity, we work to improve the lives of people severely affected by mental illness and related challenges.

Ready to apply?

If you're passionate about empowering people, protecting rights and helping individuals have their voices heard, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and help us create a world where everyone has the support and confidence to speak up for themselves.