We are seeking a qualified advocate to join our dedicated and supportive team. If you are already qualified, this is a great opportunity to contribute to a dynamic service where you will work flexibly and manage your own caseload.

We offer:

• Ongoing supervision and support
• Travel expenses
• Continuous professional development and training
• A culture that encourages innovation and creative approaches

We operate hybrid working with office base working in Middlesbrough, travel across Teesside and occasional home based working. Applicants must have a full valid driving licence and access to transport for site visits.

We are looking for someone to work full time 36.5hrs per week, however part-time will be considered on request.

Main duties of the job

Our current contracts include IMHA, IMCA, RPR, Care Act, and General Advocacy (including 1.2 Representative). If you do not yet have experience in all these areas, we will support you to gain the necessary skillsand qualifications.

The purpose of the role is:

• To provide Independent Advocacy to qualifying people across Teesside within inpatient and community settings.
• Provide statutory and non-statutory advocacy across Teesside as required.

About us

We're proud to have directly helped 27,000 local people this last year, more than we've ever supported. We've been working in local communities to improve mental health and wellbeing for 30 years and during that time our support has evolved, enabling us to help people in new and impactful ways.

We believe everyone has the right to enjoy good mental health and our team of trusted professionals provide expert support to help people lead full and happy lives. Whats more, we campaign locallyto improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding of what good mental health looks like.

Ours is a vibrant organisation to work for and our staff are our most important asset. We know just how important the benefits of a mentally healthy workplace are. So, it's only natural that our people and our culture are at the heart of all we do. Staff wellbeing is a high priority for us and we take great care and pride in making sure that everyone who works with us feels valued and supported. We're dedicated, friendly and open, working together to improve the lives of local people experiencing mental health problems.

Job responsibilities

• To provide Independent Advocacy (instructed and non-instructed) to qualifying service users across Teesside as required.
• To meet with individual service users to determine their needs for support, information and representation.
• To promote self-advocacy and assist service users to self-advocate as appropriate.
• To provide information to service users about their care, treatment and legal rights under the Mental Health Act, Mental capacity Act, Care act and a range of other legislation.
• To provide general information on advocacy issues, including complaints, discharge and care planning where appropriate.
• To assist service users to access appropriate support services as required.
• To advocate for service users at key meetings including discharge meetings, childrens services reviews, care reviews and ward meetings.
• To carry an advocacy caseload and ensure service users are kept informedand up to date on any work being carriedout on their behalf.
• To record all activity undertaken using agreed methods including numbers and types of referrals, demographics, caseload information, issues raised,outcomes of the service and unmet needs.
• To undertake all necessary case and time recording to ensure good practice and in line with Mind policies.
• To maintain strict confidentiality with regard to information given by, and information about, service users.
• To work as part of a team contributing to service developments and planning processes.
• To maintain up to date knowledge of policy, structure and legislation relating to advocacy issues.
• To work within Minds policies and procedures at all times including safety planning and management processes, Lone Working, Data Protection, Confidentiality and Safeguarding.
• To attend and actively participate in monthly support and supervision meetings and Peer Group Supervision.
• To take part in training and development activities as required.
• To undertake other tasks commensurate with the position as required.

Person Specification

Knowledge

• Health and social care legislation (including safeguarding, Mental Health Act, Care Act) and/or statutory and non-statutory advocacy (including IMHA, IMCA, RPR)
• Knowledge and experience of a range of local statutory and country sector organisations available to support people
• Knowledge and awareness of issues and challenges for people who use services
• Knowledge of the advocacy role and the potential challenges related to it

Other Personal Qualities

• Caring, compassionate and person centred
• High level of enthusiasm and motivation
• Commitment to Teesside Minds values and objectives
• Willingness to undertake professional development
• Current driving licence and use of own transport for work purposes

Experience & Qualifications

• Educated to Level 3 equivalent
• Working with people with mental health, learning difficulties, neurodivergent and/or physical health issues
• Previous experience in a formalised advocacy role
• Supporting people to have their views heard, rights upheld and to understand social care processes
• Effective partnership working at all levels commissioners, staff, partnerships, professionals and other stakeholders
• Working within agreed protocols, policies and reporting requirements
• Undertaking casework and managing a caseload
• Direct personal experience of physical and/or mental health issues as a service user or carer
• Able to engage with vulnerable adults and work with people experiencing mental health issues, learning difficulties, neurodivergent and/or physical health issues
• Able to advocate on behalf of others and support others to self-advocate
• Able to establish and maintain effective relationships with other professionals and service users
• Ability to manage own work load, prioritise work tasks and use initiative to make appropriate decisions
• IT skills to a high level of proficiency including use of case management systems and Office 365

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Full-time,Part-time,Home or remote working