Statutory Advocate na Together for Mental Wellbeing

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality, independent advocacy in line with statutory duties under the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, and Mental Health Act.
• Support individuals to understand their rights and participate in assessments, care planning, safeguarding enquiries, and reviews.
• Challenge decisions and practices when necessary to uphold people’s rights and promote equality.
• Maintain accurate and timely case records in accordance with organisational and legal requirements.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with service users, carers, professionals, and partner agencies.
• Promote the advocacy service within the community and contribute to service development.

Essential Criteria

• A relevant qualification or demonstrable experience in an advocacy or care setting
• Previous experience of working with a diverse range of vulnerable people with a wide variety of communication needs, which may include people who lack capacity
• Understanding of advocacy principles and the issues involved in providing independent advocacy
• Experience of liaison and negotiation with health and social care professionals. Ability to check, challenge and negotiate with people at all levels of seniority
• Ability to work flexibly to meet varying demands on the service
• Excellent communication skills – orally and written
• Access to appropriate transport to enable effective access to services & service users that are geographically dispersed, i.e. essential car user
• Competency in the use of basic IT: Word, Excel and databases
• An understanding of discrimination and its effects
• Evidence of training and learning and a commitment to self-development
• Hold, or be willing to complete within 12 months, the Independent Advocacy Qualification with IMHA/IMCA/DOLS/CAA specialism
• Ability to work independently, on own initiative and prioritise workload while working as part of a team

Desirable Criteria

• Understanding of the statutory regulations and other key guidance covering this work: Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, Mental Health Act, and the Advocacy Charter
• Understanding of Care Planning and Assessment
• Understanding of the specific role, purpose and responsibilities of an IMHA, IMCA and CA Advocate
• Understanding of the complexities of attaining the perspective of people who lack mental capacity in decision making
• Understanding of how an equal opportunities policy can contribute positively to the diversity and health of an organisation