Mental Health Advocate

Hiring People; Stockport; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary £30,303 per annum (unqualified)

Pension

25 days holiday

Birthday leave

Leave buy extra annual leave

Training & development opportunities

Job summary

The post-holder will provide confidential, person-centred advocacy to individuals experiencing mental health challenges and will support people to have their voices heard within health and social care systems.

Working across hospital wards, care settings, supported living environments and within the community, the role involves promoting rights, choice and independence while ensuring that people are empowered to participate fully in decisions affecting their lives.

Qualifications

• Understanding of the principles and role of advocacy.
• Understanding of the Mental Capacity Act.
• Experience working within health or social care or a related support environment.
• Excellent communication, listening and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage a complex and varied caseload effectively.
• Ability to maintain accurate, confidential and accessible records.
• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and reporting requirements.
• Commitment to ethical practice and the values of independent advocacy.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.

Responsibilities

• Provide confidential one-to-one Independent Mental Health Advocacy, supporting individuals to understand their rights, express their views, wishes and feelings, and participate in decisions about their care and treatment.
• Promote and encourage self‑advocacy wherever possible, empowering individuals to have their voices heard within health and social care systems.
• Deliver advocacy support to people with a range of needs, including mental health conditions, learning disabilities, autism, physical or sensory impairments, acquired brain injuries and dementia.
• Work across a variety of settings, including hospitals, care homes, supported living services and community environments.
• Manage and prioritise an individual caseload, ensuring support is delivered effectively, professionally and within required timescales.
• Undertake both instructed and non‑instructed advocacy, including supporting individuals who may lack capacity to communicate their wishes.
• Liaise, communicate and negotiate effectively with health and social care professionals, service providers, families, carers and partner agencies.
• Attend and support individuals at meetings and hearings, including Mental Health Tribunals, Hospital Managers' Hearings, safeguarding meetings, care planning reviews and other relevant forums.
• Respond to enquiries and referrals, provide information and guidance, and signpost individuals to appropriate services where advocacy support cannot be provided.
• Maintain accurate, confidential and up‑to‑date records, identify and report safeguarding concerns, and ensure compliance with legislation, professional standards and organisational policies.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of Stockport Advocacy through participation in supervision

Skills

Advocacy understanding

Mental Capacity Act knowledge

Communication skills

Caseload management

IT skills - MS Office & CRM

Education

Certificate or Diploma in Independent Advocacy

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM systems

Job description

The Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) plays a vital role in ensuring that individuals subject to the Mental Health Act have access to independent advocacy support, enabling them to understand their rights, express their views and participate in decisions affecting their care and treatment.

This role could be suitable for candidates with previous experience as a Support Worker, Mental Health Support Worker, Care Coordinator, Key Worker, Healthcare Assistant, Recovery Worker, Social Care Worker, Advocacy Worker, Learning Disability Support Worker or similar.

What we offer:

• A positive, friendly and supportive working environment.
• Salary of £30,303 per annum for unqualified candidates, with salary progression upon achieving the IMHA qualification.
• 25 days' holiday, plus bank holidays.
• Additional leave entitlement after 5 years' service
• Company pension.
• Additional day off for your birthday.
• Buy additional annual leave scheme.
• Training & development opportunities, including support to achieve the IMHA qualification if required.

The opportunity to make meaningful difference to the lives of vulnerable people within the local community.

All of our team members are expected to:

• Communicate clearly and professionally in all interactions
• Uphold Stockport Advocacy's values, policies, procedures and the Advocacy Charter and Code of Practice for Advocates.
• Demonstrate integrity and honesty
• Actively participate in supervision, training and team meetings
• Take responsibility for continuing professional development and keep up to date with legalisation and advocacy practice.

You will also:

• Understand the Mental Capacity Act and its application in practice.
• Be able to manage a varied and complex caseload effectively.
• Demonstrate excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Have a good understanding of the principles and purpose of advocacy.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and CRM systems
• Hold a full UK driving licence

The post-holder will provide confidential, person-centred advocacy to individuals experiencing mental health challenges and will support people to have their voices heard within health and social care systems. Working across hospital wards, care settings, supported living environments and within the community, the role involves promoting rights, choice and independence while ensuring that people are empowered to participate fully in decisions affecting their lives.

The successful candidate will work closely with healthcare professionals, social care practitioners, families and carers while maintaining the independence and impartiality that is fundamental to effective advocacy.

Core duties:

• Provide confidential one-to-one Independent Mental Health Advocacy, supporting individuals to understand their rights, express their views, wishes and feelings, and participate in decisions about their care and treatment.
• Promote and encourage self‑advocacy wherever possible, empowering individuals to have their voices heard within health and social care systems.
• Deliver advocacy support to people with a range of needs, including mental health conditions, learning disabilities, autism, physical or sensory impairments, acquired brain injuries and dementia.
• Work across a variety of settings, including hospitals, care homes, supported living services and community environments.
• Manage and prioritise an individual caseload, ensuring support is delivered effectively, professionally and within required timescales.
• Undertake both instructed and non‑instructed advocacy, including supporting individuals who may lack capacity to communicate their wishes.
• Liaise, communicate and negotiate effectively with health and social care professionals, service providers, families, carers and partner agencies.
• Attend and support individuals at meetings and hearings, including Mental Health Tribunals, Hospital Managers' Hearings, safeguarding meetings, care planning reviews and other relevant forums.
• Respond to enquiries and referrals, provide information and guidance, and signpost individuals to appropriate services where advocacy support cannot be provided.
• Maintain accurate, confidential and up‑to‑date records, identify and report safeguarding concerns, and ensure compliance with legislation, professional standards and organisational policies.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of Stockport Advocacy through participation in supervision

Other key requirements for the role:

Essential

• Understanding of the principles and role of advocacy.
• Understanding of the Mental Capacity Act.
• Experience working within health, social care or a related support environment.
• Excellent communication, listening and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage a complex and varied caseload effectively.
• Ability to maintain accurate, confidential and accessible records.
• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and reporting requirements.
• Ability to work independently, use initiative and make sound decisions.
• Commitment to ethical practice and the values of independent advocacy.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.

Desirable

• Certificate or Diploma in Independent Advocacy, including units required for IMHA practice.
• Previous training in the Mental Capacity Act.
• Previous training in Safeguarding Adults and Safeguarding Children.
• Previous training in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
• Qualifications in Health and Social Care.
• Training in Non‑Instructed Advocacy.
• Training in Confidentiality and Data Protection.
• Experience of working within mental health services or supporting vulnerable adults.