At a Glance
- Tasks: Empower individuals by providing compassionate advocacy and support across Devon and Torbay.
- Company: Join Rethink Advocacy, a passionate team dedicated to making a difference in mental health.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse, inclusive culture that values every voice.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping others understand their rights and navigate their care.
- Qualifications: Experience in advocacy and a commitment to continuous learning are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
At Rethink Advocacy, we believe everyone should have a voice in decisions that shape their care, treatment and future. As part of our Devon and Torbay Advocacy team, you’ll play a vital role in making that a reality for people who need independent, skilled and compassionate advocacy. We’re looking for a Multi‑Disciplinary Advocate who shares our values of Passion, Openness, Understanding, Expertise and Equity, and is ready to make a meaningful difference every day. This role is a full‑time 35‑hour per week position, Monday to Friday between 9:00 am till 5:00 pm based in Exeter and the Devon & Torbay Surrounding areas. It requires that the successful candidate is able to travel to appointments within this area throughout their working day.
As a qualified and/or experienced advocate, you’ll deliver statutory independent advocacy and work across two of our local Advocacy Teams. The first Team has a fixed base at Langdon Secure Hospital on Exeter Road in Dawlish. The second Team works remotely across Devon & Torbay as part of the Devon Advocacy Consortium (DAC) whose headquarters are based in Exeter. You’ll support people with a wide range of needs — including mental health conditions, learning disabilities, and physical or sensory disabilities — to express their wishes, understand their rights, and be part of decisions that affect their lives. Your work will span multiple advocacy remits, which may include:
- IMHA
- IMCA
- ICAA
- IHCA
- CYP advocacy
- Community advocacy
- Paid RPR
This is a field‑based role where you’ll manage your own diary, plan client visits and complete administrative tasks independently. You’ll maintain high‑quality case records, identify safeguarding concerns, and contribute to a positive, reflective, supportive team culture.
What you’ll do
- Provide a professional, person‑led and issue‑based advocacy service.
- Support people to understand their rights, explore options and have their voice heard.
- Deliver both instructed and non‑instructed advocacy, adapting your approach to each person.
- Work confidently within legal frameworks including the Mental Capacity Act and Mental Health Act.
- Manage a varied caseload and maintain accurate, timely case records.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Devon Advocacy Consortium (DAC).
- Raise awareness of advocacy through community engagement and promotional activities.
- Support volunteers, trainees or students where required.
About you
You’ll be a passionate advocate for empowerment, rights and inclusion. You’ll also bring:
- Level 2 Award in Independent Advocacy and willingness to work towards the Level 4 Independent Advocacy Practice qualification.
- Experience working as an advocate (paid or voluntary) and managing a caseload.
- Strong understanding of advocacy principles, legal frameworks, and person‑centred practice.
- Excellent communication skills, including adapting to a range of communication needs.
- Ability to travel across Devon and Torbay.
What you value
You’ll embody our Rethink CARES behaviours: Connect, Accountable, Respect, Evolve, Success — and you’ll bring enthusiasm, professionalism and a commitment to continuous learning.
Why join Rethink?
You’ll be part of a supportive, skilled and passionate team making a real difference to people’s lives.
- A role where your voice and expertise are valued.
- Supportive supervision and reflective practice.
- Training, development and progression opportunities.
- The chance to directly influence positive change for individuals severely affected by mental illness.
Why Work With Rethink Mental Illness?
At Rethink Mental Illness, we believe that when you feel supported, you can make the biggest difference. That’s why we offer a range of benefits to help you thrive:
- Inclusive Culture: Join staff networks that champion diversity and inclusion.
- Wellbeing Support: Access our Wellbeing Hub, Employee Assistance Programme, and the Unmind mental health app.
- Recognition & Rewards: Enjoy discounts, cashback offers, and celebrate achievements through our PULSE platform.
- Flexible Working & Generous Leave: Starting at 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays and your birthday off), with options to buy or sell extra days.
- Learning & Development: Grow your career with structured onboarding and training opportunities.
- Financial & Family Support: Contributory pension scheme, enhanced family leave, and travel benefits like season ticket loans and cycle‑to‑work schemes.
- Referral Bonus: Earn up to £300 for introducing someone to our team.
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 recognise and support staff networks and support groups for our ethnically diverse and LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. 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 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and any other gender identity not expressed here (LGBTQIA+); people who are neurodiverse, have a health condition, or a disability or hidden disability and people from an ethnically diverse background- regardless of your age, religious or spiritual belief, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, political view or socio-economic status.
Becoming a truly anti‑racist organisation
We have an ambition of becoming a truly anti‑racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti‑racist statement. We have designed a multi‑year anti‑racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrates our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti‑racist organisation.
Multidisciplinary Advocate in Devon employer: Rethink Mental Illness
At Rethink Advocacy, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions empowerment and inclusion. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth through continuous training and development opportunities, while our commitment to diversity ensures that every voice is heard and valued. Located in the beautiful Devon and Torbay area, you will have the chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals facing mental health challenges, all within a flexible and rewarding environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Multidisciplinary Advocate in Devon
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Rethink Mental Illness.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Rethink Mental Illness!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Rethink Mental Illness, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Rethink Mental Illness or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Multidisciplinary Advocate in Devon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Rethink Mental Illness:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Rethink Mental Illness! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rethink Mental Illness
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
