Right Support Right Time - Advocacy Officer

Cedar Foundation; Belfast; Hybrid; GBP 30,000; Full time

Job summary

An organization focused on mental wellbeing is seeking an Advocacy Officer to promote mental health among disabled individuals and their families. You will provide tailored support, create person-centred plans, and maintain accurate records. Ideal candidates should have relevant experience and skills in communication and IT. This role offers a salary of £29,540 and flexible working options.

Benefits

20 days annual leave

Agile working options

Enhanced pension scheme

Occupational Sick Pay

Access to retailer discounts

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year's experience in education, training or support.
• Experience working with people with mental health issues.
• Ability to develop ideas to support development.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one and group support tailored to individual needs.
• Create person-centred plans and empower individuals.
• Maintain accurate case records and contribute to service improvement.

Skills

Organisational skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

IT skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Education, or relevant discipline

RQF 4 in a relevant discipline

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

MS Teams

Job description

Overview

Ref 25-292-AO-CS-WEB
Job Role Right Support Right Time - Advocacy Officer
Location Regional post with office base options in Belfast, Ballymena and Derry / Londonderry
Agile Working Option / WFH*
Salary £ 29,540 per annum
Hours 37 hours per week
*Regular travel to our services required

The Service:
Right Support Right Time is a new collaborative project designed to promote positive mental wellbeing, build resilience, and prevent the escalation of existing mental and emotional distress among individuals, families, and communities.

The initiative specifically focuses on supporting disabled people by improving access to appropriate mental health services, while also offering tailored casework support and advocacy.

This project is delivered in partnership with Inspire Wellbeing, alongside five other organisations across Northern Ireland and the Border Regions, reflecting a strong regional collaboration aimed at inclusive and accessible mental health support.

Purpose of the Job:
The Advocacy Support Officer supports the Right Support Right Time project, promoting mental wellbeing and resilience for disabled individuals and their families. They provide one-to-one and group support tailored to individual needs, helping people access services, build life skills, sustain independence, and reduce isolation. Working closely with partners, the officer creates person-centred plans, safeguards rights, and empowers individuals to manage their mental health. The role involves maintaining accurate case records and contributing to service improvement. It\'s a front-line, rights-based role central to Cedar\'s early intervention and inclusive mental health advocacy efforts.

RIGHTSUPPORT: RIGHT TIME is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Benefits

• 20 days annual leave and 12 statutory days pro rata. Annual leave entitlement increasing with years of service.
• Agile working and working from home options promote well-being and work-life balance.
• Flexi-time policy.
• Enhanced auto-enrolment pension scheme consisting of 5% employee contribution and 4% employer contribution.
• Occupational Sick Pay Scheme.
• Westfield Healthcare Cashback scheme.
• Westfield rewards - access to over 600 retailer discounts.
• Investor in People Platinum accredited organisation with commitment to development of the staff team through training and learning opportunities.

Essential Criteria

1. RQF level 6 (e.g. bachelor\'s degree) or equivalent level in Psychology, Education, Community work or Health and Social Care or a relevant discipline professional qualification AND Minimum of 1 year\'s paid experience in the direct provision of education, training or support
2. OR Minimum RQF 4 or equivalent level in a relevant discipline AND Minimum of 3 paid years\' experience as above
3. Ability to work independently with good organisational and interpersonal skills
4. A minimum of one year\'s experience of working with people individually or in groups with mental health issues or personal lived experience
5. Detailed knowledge of disability and the ability to develop new ideas and initiatives to support development and participation
6. Excellent communication skills both verbal and written, relationship building, negotiation and interpersonal skills to communicate with various stakeholders
7. Proficiency in IT skills, specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, MS Teams

Apply: https://cedar-

Closing Date: 17th October 2025 at 10am

THE CEDAR FOUNDATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

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