Multi Disciplinary Advocate

We have an exciting opportunity for a Multi disciplinary Advocate to join our inspiring and friendly team at our Barnsley Advocacy.

If you, would you like to work for a leading mental health charity in a rewarding role where you will really make a difference, then join us here at Rethink Mental Illness.

Your role will be a field based position where you will work flexibly whilst covering the geographical area of Barnsley South Yorkshire. You will work full time, 35 hours per week on a permanent contract with a salary of £21,703.54 to £23,906.01. You can read more about the rewards you will receive on the full advert on our website.

Advocacy is having someone by your side, and on your side, when you want to be more involved in decisions about your care, treatment and living arrangements. An advocate can talk through the situation you’re currently in and the options open to you. They can help you decide what you want and then communicate it to people. This is particularly useful if it’s difficult to understand things or to speak up and be heard.

How will you make a difference?

Provide a high quality, responsive and effective advocacy service in accordance with the service specification, contract and legislative timescales.

Ensure that individuals understand and can exercise their rights; supporting people to access information, to understand better what is happening, what is planned, and the options available to them to make better informed decisions and be more involved in their care and support.

Act on allocated referrals in accordance with the service standards and engagement protocols, communicating with referrers as required in order to ensure the client’s rights under the relevant act are observed.

Ensure the client’s communication needs have been assessed and where possible communicate with the client to ascertain their wishes and views, thereafter to communicate with individuals and other agencies, representing the clients’ views, whilst keeping the client informed of progress of their issue.

Represent patients’ interests when they are not able to do so themselves, including working within a best interests framework for any eligible patient who lacks the mental capacity to instruct the advocate

Keep accurate factual records relating to the service users and their cases, including keeping the case management database up-to-date.

Prepare and submit reports, to a standard and template set by the service, covering all significant factors which the decision maker should take into account.

Maintain records adhering to required confidentiality protocols, Information Governance standards and the General Data Protection principles.

Who I am?

Have completed or am working towards National Qualification in Independent Advocacy (Level 3 or new Level 4)

Completed or working towards additional specialist units e.g. IMCA, DoLS, IMHA, ICAA, Independent Advocacy for CYP and Health Complaints

Committed to undertaking additional units as required.

Committed to completion of required qualifications within set timescales.

(The training requirement to have obtained or be committed to completing the qualification is mandatory for the role)

Experience of working in one or more of the following specialist areas: learning disabilities; mental health/capacity; older people; physical disabilities; sensory impairment; children & young people; substance misuse; NHS Complaints.

Who are we?

We’re Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns and advice and information. Our work supports us in delivering on our mission: “A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.”