At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in understanding their rights and advocate for their needs.
- Company: Join Rethink Mental Illness, a leader in mental health advocacy.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable qualifications.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed; just bring your passion and commitment to learning.
The predicted salary is between 24015 - 27015 £ per year.
Location: Field-based – Islington and Surrounding Areas
Job Type: Permanent - 35 Hours
Salary: £24,015.68 + £3000 London Allowance
Make a difference where it matters most. At Rethink Mental Illness, we believe everyone deserves to have their voice heard. As a Trainee Paid RPR, you’ll play a vital role in supporting people who have been deprived of their liberty—helping them understand their rights, express their views, and ensure their voices shape decisions about their care. This is more than a job. It’s a chance to build a meaningful career in advocacy while gaining a nationally recognised qualification.
What you’ll be doing:
- Advocate for people in hospitals, care homes.
- Empower individuals to understand their rights and make informed decisions.
- Represent people in line with the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
- Take action when people’s rights may not be upheld, including raising challenges where appropriate.
- Work closely with health and social care professionals to ensure the person’s voice is central.
- Maintain accurate, high-quality case records and reports.
- Identify safeguarding concerns and act appropriately.
- Contribute to awareness-raising and engagement across services.
You’ll work across Islington, so being comfortable with travel between locations is essential. We’ll invest in your future from day one. You will:
- Enrol on the Level 4 Independent Advocacy Practice qualification.
- Complete specialist modules (including IMCA and DoLS).
- Gain hands‑on experience through shadowing and supervised practice.
- Progress to a Paid RPR role once qualified.
Protected study time and ongoing supervision will support your success throughout.
What we’re looking for:
You don’t need previous advocacy experience—we’re looking for people with the right values, passion, and potential. You’ll bring:
- A commitment to learning and completing your qualification.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to build trust with diverse individuals.
- Empathy, integrity, and a non-judgemental approach.
- The ability to work independently while being part of a supportive team.
- Confidence using IT systems and managing your workload.
- A willingness to travel across your local area.
Experience in health, social care, or lived experience is welcome but not essential.
Benefits:
- 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.
Trainee Paid RPR employer: Rethink Mental Illness
At Rethink Mental Illness, we are dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where every employee can thrive. As a Trainee Paid RPR, you will not only receive comprehensive training and a nationally recognised qualification but also benefit from our commitment to employee wellbeing, flexible working arrangements, and a culture that values diversity and inclusion. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve while enjoying opportunities for personal and professional growth in the vibrant Islington area.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Trainee Paid RPR
✨Tap Into Local Support Groups
Get involved with local community support groups or charities related to social work. These places are often hubs for networking and can lead to trainee opportunities at organisations like Rethink Mental Illness. Plus, volunteering can give you hands-on experience that makes your application pop!
✨Connect with University Career Services
If you’re still studying, use your university's career services to find trainee roles in social work. They often have partnerships with organisations and can help set up interviews at places like Rethink Mental Illness. Don’t underestimate those dedicated programmes; they’re made for people like us!
✨Attend Social Work Events
Keep an eye out for workshops, conferences, or networking events in the social work field. These can be fantastic for meeting professionals from organisations like Rethink Mental Illness and getting insights on what they look for in trainees.
✨Showcase Your Passion Online
Build a portfolio or a blog where you share your thoughts on social work issues. This not only showcases your passion but also makes you more visible to companies like Rethink Mental Illness looking for trainees who genuinely care about the field. We can all make a difference, so let your enthusiasm shine!
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Paid RPR
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for helping others shine through. Talk about experiences that sparked your interest in social work, whether that’s volunteer work, personal experiences, or relevant coursework. We're looking for trainees who genuinely care – that passion is what makes a difference!
Highlight Relevant Experiences:Even if you haven’t worked in social work before, think about transferable skills from other roles or volunteering. Mention things like teamwork, empathy, and problem-solving. Include specific examples that demonstrate your abilities and how they relate to the social work field.
Tailor Your CV for Social Work:When it comes to your CV, make sure to include any relevant qualifications or certifications, like first aid or mental health first responder training. Also, focus on any academic achievements related to social work, such as modules you've taken or projects you’ve completed that showcase your skills in the field.
Be Ready to Discuss Your Learning Goals:As a trainee, it’s important to emphasise your eagerness to learn and grow. Be prepared to mention what you hope to gain from the experience at Rethink Mental Illness. This shows that you're not just looking for a job, but a chance to develop your skills and make a real impact in social work.
How to prepare for a job interview at Rethink Mental Illness
✨Know Your Theories
Brush up on key social work theories and frameworks, especially those relevant to the specific role at Rethink Mental Illness. Be ready to demonstrate your understanding of models like the ecological systems theory or strengths-based approaches, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Emphasise Your Empathy
As a trainee in social work, you'll need to showcase your interpersonal skills. Prepare to share examples where you've demonstrated empathy and understanding in challenging situations, whether in prior experiences or your studies.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect the interviewers to put you through situational questions that test your problem-solving and crisis management skills. Practice responding to hypothetical scenarios you might face as a social worker, focusing on how you would assess and intervene in those situations.
✨Showcase Your Motivation for Learning
As a trainee, it’s vital to express your eagerness to learn and grow in your role at Rethink Mental Illness. Be prepared to discuss what specific skills you hope to develop during the traineeship and how your passion for social work drives your career aspirations.
