At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with mental health challenges as a Trainee/Qualified Advocate.
- Company: Join Rethink Mental Illness, a charity dedicated to improving lives affected by mental illness.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, funded training, and 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed; just a passion for advocacy and a willingness to learn.
- Other info: Diversity is celebrated here; we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.
The predicted salary is between 16234 - 19275 £ per year.
Vacancy Salary £22,282.03 - £26,457 plus £3,000 London Allowance (pro rata). Actual Salary £16,234.05 - £19,275.81 plus £2,185.71 London Allowance based on experience.
Vacancy Location: Wandsworth and Richmond
This is a Permanent, 24.5 hours vacancy that will close in 18 days at 23:59 BST.
Your role:
We are looking for an experienced and passionate Trainee/Qualified Single Discipline Advocate to work as part of our Wandsworth and Richmond Advocacy Team. Imagine being part of an organisation whose common purpose is to help those who are severely impacted by mental illness. We believe that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity – and that’s why equity is one of our core values.
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.
Our Wandsworth and Richmond service provides a range of specialist advocacy services to adults (and children) as appropriate across a range of disciplines. We provide a range of statutory (instructed or non-instructed) and non-statutory advocacy support in secure units, hospitals, care settings or in the community, working with a range of health and social care partners.
How you will make a difference:
- As an unqualified, inexperienced independent single discipline advocate, you will be required to enrol on the Level 4 Independent Advocacy Practice qualification and complete the course within a set timescale, using protected study time to focus on this.
- You will shadow experienced team members and then be observed providing advocacy to those who are eligible for our services until you are able to pick up a caseload of your own.
- Although your focus will be on one particular remit of advocacy, you will receive training across the different remits of advocacy, instructed and non-instructed advocacy and safeguarding and be supported to develop a thorough understanding of the role and boundaries of advocacy.
- The role involves acting on the instruction of the people you support, empowering them to have a say in their situation, to understand their rights and any options open to them and supporting them towards self-advocacy.
- When providing non-instructed advocacy, you will ensure that the unique preferences and views of the person are taken into consideration in any decisions made by care providers.
However, if you are a qualified and/or experienced independent advocate, you will provide statutory and/or non-statutory independent advocacy to those who are eligible for the service within the community or care settings. This may include secure facilities, hospitals, care homes, supported living facilities and people within their own homes or temporary accommodation.
As a field worker, you will be based in the community and will manage your own calendar, planning in client visits effectively as well as all administrative tasks. You will work across Wandsworth and Richmond and therefore will need to have the ability to travel between multiple client appointment locations across the day, as well as travel to team meetings and training sessions as required.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion:
Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services.
We aim for our workforce to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve; for those who work for us to feel heard, valued and feel they belong; and for our work to help tackle wider mental health inequalities. We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience of mental illness, those who are LGBTQIA+, people who are neurodiverse, have a health condition, or a disability or hidden disability and people from an ethnically diverse background.
What will you receive?
- You will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your abilities with the opportunity to make a real difference every day.
- In addition, you will have excellent development opportunities including funded training, career development, and a range of e-learning courses.
- You will also receive:
- Employer funded pension
- Flexible working
- Life assurance
- Training opportunities
- Annual leave: 25 days rising to 30, plus bank holidays
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Rethink day: 1 day’s additional leave (pro rata) on your Birthday
Please be mindful that we may need to close adverts early if we receive a high volume of applications, we therefore encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Trainee/Qualified Single Disciplinary Advocate IMHA employer: Mentalhealth UK
Contact Detail:
Mentalhealth UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Trainee/Qualified Single Disciplinary Advocate IMHA
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the principles of advocacy, especially in mental health contexts. Understanding the nuances of both instructed and non-instructed advocacy will help you demonstrate your commitment to empowering individuals during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the mental health sector. Attend relevant workshops or seminars where you can meet current advocates and learn about their experiences. This can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Research our organisation's values and recent initiatives, particularly around diversity, equity, and inclusion. Being able to discuss how your personal values align with ours can set you apart during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss real-life scenarios where you've demonstrated empathy and support for others. Sharing specific examples of how you've advocated for someone or helped them navigate a challenging situation can showcase your suitability for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee/Qualified Single Disciplinary Advocate IMHA
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Trainee/Qualified Single Disciplinary Advocate position. Tailor your application to reflect how your skills and experiences align with the role.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any relevant experience you have in advocacy, mental health, or related fields. Use specific examples to demonstrate your passion for helping those affected by mental illness.
Showcase Your Values: Since the organisation values diversity, equity, and inclusion, make sure to express your commitment to these principles in your application. Share any personal experiences or insights that highlight your understanding of these values.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mentalhealth UK
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a solid grasp of what being a Trainee/Qualified Single Disciplinary Advocate entails. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities, especially around advocacy and supporting individuals with mental health issues. This will help you articulate your understanding during the interview.
✨Show Your Passion for Advocacy
Demonstrate your genuine interest in mental health advocacy. Share any relevant experiences or motivations that led you to apply for this role. Employers appreciate candidates who are passionate about their mission and values.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked how you would handle specific situations related to advocacy. Think about examples from your past experiences where you had to support someone or navigate a challenging situation. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Given the organisation's focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to these values. Share any experiences you have that demonstrate your commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all individuals.