Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA)
Medium Secure Forensic Hospital – Wath-upon-Dearne, South Yorkshire
Are you a qualified Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA), or interested in developing into this role? 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?
We are seeking a committed, skilled, and compassionate advocate to join our team.
What We’re Looking For
What We’re Looking For
Experience
- Ideally 3+ years’ experience as an IMHA, or within mental health services, healthcare, or other public-facing roles (including customer service)
Qualifications
- A Level 3 National Advocacy Qualification (NAQ), or willingness to achieve this within the first year of employment
Communication Skills
- Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of individuals, using adaptable and appropriate communication methods
Organisation
- Strong note-taking, record-keeping, and time management skills
Professionalism
- Confidence and ability to manage complex, sensitive, and challenging situations with empathy and clarity
Safeguarding & Compliance
- This role is subject to a DBS check
What You Will Do
As an IMHA, you will work directly with patients to:
- Provide information, support, and representation
- Empower individuals to participate in decisions about their care, treatment, legal rights, and daily life
- Ensure their views are heard and respected in all relevant processes
Training & Development
You will be required to complete all mandatory training and role-related learning.
Please note, this includes annual breakaway and physical disengagement training, which requires an appropriate level of physical ability.
About the Role
Please note, this includes annual breakaway and physical disengagement training, which requires an appropriate level of physical ability.
About the Role
- Hours: Part-time, 22.5 hours per week
- Salary: £27,869.95 per year (pro rata) plus £620 geographical allowance per year (pro rata)
Functional Responsibilities
1. Establish and maintain relationships of trust with service users to build engagement
2. Work with individual service users to provide information, support and representation in order to assist them in any decision making process affecting their care, treatment, legal status or other aspect of their daily lives whilst detained in hospital.
3. Work with groups of service users on wards or in other forums to assist them in developing and expressing a collective point of view.
4. 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.
5. Assist in the design and provision of self-advocacy training for service users and/or other groups.
6. Develop and agree targets and a work schedule with the Service Manager that meets the requirements of the post and work to meet them.
7. Maintain detailed case notes and accurate statistical information and other records for the purpose of information retrieval, service evaluation and casework using computerised systems. Provide written or verbal reports as requested to support contract monitoring.
8. Work as part of a team, providing support and assistance to other members of the team, including volunteers, and working in co-operation with them to meet the requirements of the Service.
9. Participate in regular supervision sessions with the Manager or Senior Advocate.
10. Work at all times within the principles and policies of Together, the Service Specification and the Contractual requirements of the service (including security) and the Advocacy Charter.
11. Successfully complete accredited training for Independent Advocacy Qualification in particular completing the IMHA module of the National Advocacy Qualification, during first year of employment.
12. Undertake all necessary mandatory and job-related courses and learning activities. *Please note this post includes the requirement to be able to participate in mandatory physical breakaway and physical disengagement training on an annual basis.
13. Maintain professional boundaries in all aspects of work with service users
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Essential:
- Experience in supporting vulnerable individuals gained from paid work and/or voluntary and/or life experience
- Understanding of the principals of advocacy
- Understanding of the specific role, purpose and responsibilities of an Independent Mental Health Advocate
- Understanding of discrimination and its effects
- Experience of liaison and negotiation with health and social care professionals
- Competence in the use of email and word processing software
- Demonstrate a non-judgemental attitude
- Ability to be empathetic towards service users and create a safe and trusting environment as well as work in partnership with services users
- Ability to work alongside individuals experiencing mental distress
- Ability to work independently, on own initiative and prioritise workload while working as part of a team
- Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries when working with service users
Desirable
- Experience of working in an advocacy or care setting (desirable)
- IAQ Level 4 in Independent Mental Health Advocacy (desirable)
Benefits
The benefits of working for Together
Download the PDF to find out more about what you can get out of working for us.
Contact Details:
Together for Mental Wellbeing Recruitment Team
