Independent Mental Health Advocate

**Job title: Independent Mental Health Advocate**

**Service: Secure Advocacy Services**

**Location: Dogpool Lane, Birmingham**

**Hours: 22.2 per week (3 days per week, days to be discussed at interview)**

**Reports to: Advocacy Service Manager/Senior Advocate**

**Salary: £15,703**

**Benefits**:

- **No weekend working**:

- **Free parking**:

- **Perkbox - access to discounts**:

- **Employee Assistance helpline**:

- **Generous leave entitlement**

**JOB PURPOSE**

Enable eligible service users to have their perspective recognised, respecting the multiple needs of the diverse client group and encouraging the widest possible access.

Raise awareness of advocacy, IMHA and the service to other professionals, individuals and agencies

**Key Responsibilities**

Establish and maintain relationships of trust with service users, to build engagement

Work with individual service users to provide information, support and representation in order to assist them in any decision making process affecting their care, treatment, legal status or other aspect of their daily lives whilst detained in hospital.

Work with groups of service users on wards or in other forums to assist them in developing and expressing a collective point of view.

Liaise with other professionals and services to promote the Advocacy and IMHA service. Support the Manager in providing training to ensure awareness and understanding of Advocacy and IMHA.

Assist in the design and provision of self-advocacy training for service users and/or other groups.

Maintain detailed case notes and accurate statistical information and other records for the purpose of information retrieval, service evaluation and casework using computerised systems. Provide written or verbal reports as requested to support contract monitoring.

Work as part of a team, providing support and assistance to other members of the team, including volunteers, and working in co-operation with them to meet the requirements of the Service.

Participate in regular supervision sessions with the Manager or Senior Advocate.

Work at all times within the principles and policies of Together, the Service Specification and the Contractual requirements of the service (including security) and the Advocacy Charter.

Successfully complete accredited training for Independent Advocacy Qualification in particular completing the IMHA module of the National Advocacy Qualification, during first year of employment.

Undertake all necessary mandatory and job-related courses and learning activities. *Please note this post includes the requirement to be able to participate in mandatory physical breakaway and physical disengagement training on an annual basis.

**GENERIC TASKS**

**Confidentiality**

Comply with GDRP and other relevant legislation.

**Safeguarding**

**Communications and record keeping**

Follow organisational policies around record keeping, and use appropriate systems to record information on service users.

**Learning and Development**

Ensure that you keep an up-to-date record of training, both internal, external and e-learning. Complete all mandatory training as expected.

**Computer/keyboard skills** - Be able to use Microsoft tools effectively.

**Person Specification and Know-how**

Experience in supporting vulnerable individuals gained from paid work and/or voluntary and/or life experience

Experience of working in an advocacy or care setting (desirable)

Understanding of the principals of advocacy

Understanding of the specific role, purpose and responsibilities of an Independent Mental Health Advocate

Understanding of discrimination and its effects

Experience of liaison and negotiation with health and social care professionals

IAQ Level 4 in Independent Mental Health Advocacy (desirable, not essential)

Demonstrate a non-judgemental attitude

Ability to be empathetic towards service users and create a trusting environment

Ability to work alongside individuals experiencing mental distress

Ability to work independently, on own initiative and prioritise workload while working as part of a team

Ability to work in partnership with services users

Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries when working with service users

Ability to establish and maintain a safe environment

Committed to work in ways which reflect Together’s values

Committed to safeguard the wellbeing of service users and colleagues at all times

**Practicalities**

Minimum age 18 plus

Enhanced DBS clearance

Willing to undertake regular Covid testing

Physical ability to participate in mandatory breakaway and disengagement training

Working hours - Thursday & Friday, 9am-5pm.

**Please see the Together for Mental Wellbeing careers section for the full job description - Reference:REQ000561NEW**

**DIVERSITY STATEMENT**

We acknowledge the unique contribution that all Together employees and service users can bring to the work of the projects and the organisation in terms of their culture, race, ge