Trainee Advocate

Spinx; South Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Level 4 qualification support

Protected study time

Regular supervision

Training and development

Supportive team environment

Meaningful work with impact

Career progression to qualified Advoc

Job summary

Rethink Mental Illness is seeking Trainee Advocates for a field-based role in Barnsley. You will learn advocacy principles, safeguarding, and person-centred support, with progression to independent advocacy.

You'll shadow experienced colleagues, gradually manage your own caseload and support people accessing mental health services across Barnsley. DBS Enhanced with Adults & Children is required, and you’ll complete the Level 4 Independent Advocacy Practice qualification.

Qualifications

• passion for helping others to have their voice heard
• excellent communication and listening skills
• ability to manage competing priorities and travel across Barnsley

Responsibilities

• Shadow experienced colleagues and learn principles of advocacy
• Gradually take on own caseload for mental health service users
• Support people across hospitals, care homes, community settings and homes
• Maintain accurate records and case notes
• Identify safeguarding concerns and respond appropriately

Skills

Empathy

Communication skills

Organisational skills

IT literacy

Education

No formal qualification required

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location: Field Based - Barnsley

Contract: Permanent, Full Time - 35 Hours

Salary: £24,544.91

DBS Check: Enhanced with Adults & Children

Have you ever wanted a career where you can make a genuine difference to people's lives every day?

At Rethink Advocacy, we're looking for compassionate, motivated individuals who believe everyone deserves to be heard. As a Trainee Advocate, you'll learn how to empower people to understand their rights, make informed choices, and ensure their views are considered in decisions that affect their lives.

You don't need to be a qualified advocate already. We'll support you to develop the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to succeed while completing the Level 4 Independent Advocacy Practice qualification.

What you'll be doing

As a Trainee Advocate, you'll begin your journey by shadowing experienced colleagues, learning the principles of advocacy, safeguarding, and person-centred support. As your confidence grows, you'll gradually take ownership of your own caseload and support people accessing mental health services across Barnsley.

You’ll work with people in a variety of settings, including:

• Hospitals and secure facilities
• Care homes
• Supported living services
• Community settings
• People's own homes

You’ll learn how to:

• Support people to express their views, wishes and feelings.
• Help individuals understand their rights and available options.
• Deliver both instructed and non-instructed advocacy.
• Navigate mental health, social care and legal frameworks.
• Maintain accurate records and case notes.
• Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
• Build positive relationships with a wide range of people and professionals.
• Promote advocacy services within local communities and services.

This is a field-based role, so no two days will be the same. You’ll travel across Barnsley, manage your own diary and enjoy a varied workload while being fully supported by an experienced team.

Who we're looking for

You may be looking for a career change, have experience supporting vulnerable people, or bring valuable lived experience and transferable skills.

We're interested in people who:

• Are passionate about helping others have their voice heard.
• Respect people's right to make their own choices and decisions.
• Have excellent communication and listening skills.
• Can build trusting relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Are organised and able to manage competing priorities.
• Are comfortable using IT systems and Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrate empathy, resilience and professionalism.
• Can travel throughout the Barnsley area and occasionally further afield when required.

Most importantly, you’ll bring a genuine commitment to learning and developing as an advocate. We’ll teach you the rest.

What you'll get in return

When you join Rethink Mental Illness, you’re not just starting a job. You’re building a career with purpose.

We offer:

• Fully supported completion of the Level 4 Independent Advocacy Practice qualification.
• Protected study time to support your learning and development.
• Regular supervision, mentoring and reflective practice sessions.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• A supportive and welcoming team environment.
• Meaningful work that has a direct impact on people’s lives.
• A clear progression route into a qualified Advocate role upon successful completion of your qualification.

Why join Rethink Mental Illness?

We believe people do their best work when they feel supported, valued and able to be themselves. You’ll benefit from:

• An inclusive culture, with colleague-led staff networks for Disability & Neurodiversity, Race & Ethnicity, LGBTQIA+, Gender Equality and Menopause.
• Flexible working and 25 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays and your birthday off), with the option to buy or sell leave.
• Wellbeing support including our Wellbeing Hub, Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Champions and Unmind.
• Learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Financial and family benefits including a contributory pension, enhanced family leave and travel schemes.
• Recognition and rewards including discounts, cashback offers and a Blue Light Card.
• Referral bonus where you can earn up to £300 for introducing someone to our team.

Our commitment to inclusion

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. We’re also committed to becoming a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider supported by a multi-year equity, diversity and inclusion programme of work. For more information please view https://www.rethink.org/media/hdtjjy5b/revised-edi-plan-rethink.pdf

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences and want everyone to have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and experience. If you need reasonable adjustments during recruitment or when in your role, please let us know and we will work with you to understand what support you need.