At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in understanding their rights and making decisions about their care.
- Company: Join a compassionate team dedicated to empowering vulnerable individuals.
- Benefits: 30 days annual leave, pension scheme, counselling service, and travel loans.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a commitment to upholding individuals' rights.
About The Advocacy Project
We help people speak up and make decisions about their health, wellbeing and social care. We’re here to make sure people who are vulnerable because of their circumstance can understand their rights, make effective choices about their lives and voice their concerns. Some of the ways we do this include:
- Advocacy services that make sure people can express their wishes when decisions are being made about their care or wellbeing.
- User involvement projects that help organisations improve what they offer by listening to people who use their services.
- Local Healthwatch services, which act as health and social care champions for the areas they serve and give people a direct channel to share their feedback.
- Innovative Personal Health Budget projects that allow people to access items and services to improve their wellbeing.
Our services are independent, confidential, and free to those receiving them. Together, our teams are standing up for essential rights and supporting people to have a say on the issues that matter to them.
About the role
We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Independent Advocate to join our team on a zero-hours contract. This role involves providing high-quality advocacy support across various disciplines, ensuring individuals have a voice in decisions that affect their lives. You will work with people in hospitals, care homes, their own homes, and within the community, supporting them to understand their rights and choices. The role requires travel across London. Under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, the post holder will be required to visit CQC registered care homes and would be subject to government requirements.
Key responsibilities
- Provide independent advocacy under the Care Act 2014, supporting individuals to understand and exercise their rights.
- Act as an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA), representing individuals who lack capacity to make specific decisions.
- Undertake the role of a Relevant Person’s Representative (RPR) under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
- Support individuals through Rule 1.2 advocacy, ensuring their views are represented in court proceedings.
- Provide Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) for individuals detained under the Mental Health Act.
- Work directly with clients, ensuring their wishes and needs are heard and respected.
- Maintain accurate records and adhere to relevant policies, procedures, and legislation.
General responsibilities
- Participate in team meetings and training.
- Participate in personal, team and organisational development.
- Contribute to monitoring reports.
- Keep to our policies, including health & safety, and risk regulations.
- Work to our mission, vision, and values.
- Carry out other projects and tasks as needed.
Person specification
We welcome applications from people with transferrable skills and qualities, and people with diverse employment histories and personal backgrounds.
Essential qualities and attributes:
- Willingness to travel across London for client visits.
- Ability to work independently and manage a varied caseload.
- Strong commitment to upholding individuals’ rights.
- Understanding of the role and responsibilities of an advocate.
- Understanding of issues faced by people with mental health conditions, physical health conditions and learning disabilities.
- Ability to listen and build trust, to encourage people to express their own views and to represent clients’ self-defined interests.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).
- Good at working with a wide variety of people including commissioners, service users and colleagues.
- IT literate, including working knowledge of Microsoft packages (Excel, Word, Outlook).
- Commitment to working within The Advocacy Project code of conduct, equality and safeguarding policies.
- Ability to work as part of a team and on your own initiative, to plan and prioritise your own workload.
- Willingness to promote The Advocacy Project and its services in line with our mission, vision and values.
- Commitment to ongoing professional development.
- Willingness and ability to travel across all London boroughs and surrounding areas as required by the service.
- Ability to undertake occasional journeys outside London, which may involve travel times of up to 2–3 hours each way.
- Flexible approach to working hours and locations.
- Ability to work independently and manage travel arrangements effectively.
Desirable knowledge, experience and qualifications:
- Experience of delivering different forms of advocacy (instructed and non-instructed; IMHA, ICAA, IMCA, IHCA) within a statutory advocacy service.
- Knowledge of the Mental Health Act / Mental Capacity Act / Care Act/DolS and other statutory legislation as it applies to advocacy.
- Knowledge of mental health sections and social care services, including current issues in policy and practice.
- Experience working with vulnerable individuals in a health or social care setting.
- Understanding of the Accessible Information Standard.
Benefits of working for us
We’re committed to providing an empowering, flexible and supportive working environment for all our staff. Our employee benefits include 30 days annual leave (including up to 3 days between Christmas and New Year), participation in a pension scheme with 6% employer contribution, access to a free confidential counselling service, and an interest-free travel/bike loan. All our staff are supported to learn and develop in a variety of ways, including a monthly lecture series where we invite sector experts to talk to our staff on topical issues.
We are a Disability Confident and Mindful Employer.
Independent Advocate -Bank worker employer: The Advocacy Project
The Advocacy Project is an exceptional employer, dedicated to empowering its staff with a flexible and supportive work environment. Employees benefit from generous annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for professional development through engaging lectures and training. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, particularly as a Disability Confident and Mindful Employer, the organisation fosters a culture where advocates can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable individuals across London.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Advocate -Bank worker
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the advocacy field, attend relevant events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to advocacy. Think about scenarios where you've helped someone voice their concerns or made a tough decision. We want to hear your stories that showcase your skills and compassion!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for advocacy during interviews! Talk about why you care about helping vulnerable individuals and how you can make a difference. Your enthusiasm can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Independent Advocate -Bank worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully:Before you start your application, take a good look at the job description. Make sure you understand what we're looking for in an Independent Advocate and how your skills match up. This will help you tailor your application to show us why you're the perfect fit!
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When writing your application, highlight any experience you have that relates to advocacy or working with vulnerable individuals. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission, so don’t hold back on sharing those stories!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your documents and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about The Advocacy Project while you’re at it!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Advocacy Project
✨Know Your Advocacy Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key legislation like the Care Act 2014 and the Mental Health Act. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you understand the role and responsibilities of an advocate, which is crucial for this position.
✨Show Your Compassion
During the interview, share examples of how you've supported vulnerable individuals in the past. Highlight your ability to listen and build trust, as this is essential for helping clients express their views and needs.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility
Since the role requires travel across London, be prepared to discuss your experience with managing a varied caseload and how you handle travel arrangements. Showing that you're adaptable and can work independently will impress the interviewers.
✨Engage with Their Mission
Familiarise yourself with The Advocacy Project's mission, vision, and values. Be ready to explain how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their goals. This will demonstrate your commitment to the role and the organisation.
