At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and empower patients in a medium secure forensic setting as an Independent Mental Health Advocate.
- Company: Join Together, a compassionate organisation dedicated to mental health advocacy.
- Benefits: Part-time role with competitive salary, training opportunities, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in patients' lives while developing your advocacy skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in mental health or public-facing roles; willingness to gain advocacy qualifications.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and professional development.
The predicted salary is between 27323 - 27943 £ per year.
Wathwood Hospital Advocacy is seeking a committed, skilled and compassionate advocate to join our team. Are you a qualified Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) or passionate about becoming one? Do you want to make a meaningful difference to the lives of patients detained under the Mental Health Act within a medium secure forensic setting?
What We’re Looking For
- Experience: Ideally 3+ years’ experience as an IMHA or within mental health services, general healthcare, or other public-facing roles (including customer service).
- Qualifications: A Level 3 National Advocacy Qualification (NAQ) or a willingness to work towards it within your first year in post.
- Communication Skills: The ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people using varied and adaptable communication approaches.
- Organisation: Strong note taking, record keeping and time management skills.
- Professionalism: The ability to manage complex, sensitive and challenging situations with confidence, empathy and clarity.
- Safeguarding & Compliance: A DBS check is required for this role.
What You Will Do
- As an IMHA, you will work directly with individual patients to provide information, support and representation.
- Empower them to participate in decisions about their care, treatment, legal rights and daily life.
- Ensure their views are heard and respected in all relevant processes.
- You will be required to complete all mandatory training and job related learning activities.
If you’re driven by compassion, committed to upholding people’s rights and ready to empower individuals at some of the most critical moments in their lives, we’d love to hear from you.
Part Time: 22.5 hours per week
Salary: £27323.51 per annum pro rata (basic salary) plus £620 per annum pro rata (geographical allowance)
Key Responsibilities
- Provide Generic Mental Health Advocacy and statutory Independent Mental Health advocacy to all qualifying patients.
- Enable eligible people with mental health problems to have their perspective recognised.
- Engage and maintain an efficient administration system that meets the needs of the service.
- Raise awareness of advocacy, IMHA and the service to other professionals, individuals and agencies.
Job‑Specific Tasks and Responsibilities
- Establish and maintain relationships of trust with patients.
- Work with individual patients to provide information, support and representation.
- Work with groups of patients to assist them in developing and expressing a collective point of view.
- Liaise with other professionals and services to promote the Advocacy and IMHA service.
- Support the Manager in providing training to ensure awareness and understanding of Advocacy and IMHA.
- Develop and agree targets and a work schedule with the Service Manager.
- Maintain detailed case notes and accurate statistical information.
- Provide written or verbal reports as requested.
- Work as part of a team to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
- Participate in regular supervision sessions with the service Manager or Senior Advocate.
- Work within the principles and policies of Together, the Service Specification and the Contractual requirements of the service.
- Maintain professional boundaries in all aspects of work with patients.
- Undertake such other duties or responsibilities as may be requested.
Generic Tasks
- Uphold and practice Together’s organisational values.
- Represent the service positively with service users and other agencies.
- Adhere to Together’s Equalities policy.
- Maintain confidentiality with regard to service users.
- Be aware of and adhere to Together’s Safeguarding policy.
- Be aware of and adhere to Together’s policies regarding Confidentiality and GDPR.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
- Essential: Experience in supporting vulnerable individuals, understanding of the principles of advocacy, understanding of the specific role of an IMHA, experience of liaison and negotiation with health and social care professionals, competence in the use of email and word processing software.
- Desirable: Experience of working in an advocacy or care setting, IAQ Level 4 in Independent Mental Health Advocacy.
Job Benefits
The Benefits Of Working For Together.
Independant Mental Health Advocate Wathwood Hospital Advocacy service employer: Together for Mental Wellbeing
Contact Detail:
Together for Mental Wellbeing Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Independant Mental Health Advocate Wathwood Hospital Advocacy service
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the mental health field, attend relevant events, and connect with people 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 and mental health. Think about your experiences and how they align with the role of an IMHA. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, share your motivation for becoming an IMHA and how you can make a difference. Authenticity goes a long way in making a memorable impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a positive impact in the lives of patients.
We think you need these skills to ace Independant Mental Health Advocate Wathwood Hospital Advocacy service
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for becoming an Independent Mental Health Advocate! Share why you’re passionate about mental health and how you can make a difference in patients' lives. A personal touch goes a long way!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills. We want to know how your background aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your qualifications and any advocacy experience.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts well. This will help us understand your message without any confusion!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Together for Mental Wellbeing
✨Know Your Advocacy Basics
Brush up on the principles of advocacy and the specific role of an Independent Mental Health Advocate. Be ready to discuss how you can empower patients and ensure their voices are heard, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to communicate effectively with diverse individuals. Think about situations where you've adapted your communication style to meet the needs of different people, especially in sensitive contexts.
✨Demonstrate Empathy and Professionalism
Be ready to share experiences where you've managed complex or challenging situations with empathy and clarity. This will show your potential employer that you can handle the emotional demands of the role while maintaining professionalism.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Anticipate questions or scenarios related to safeguarding and compliance. Think through how you would handle specific situations involving patient rights and confidentiality, as these are key aspects of the job.