Advocate (Mental Health) x 2 Posts
Length of contract:
Permanent (subject to funding)
Salary:
£20,253 with potential to rise to £24,472
(subject to performance and funding)
Based at:
Blackpool or Leyland
Hours:
37 hours
Pension:
5% employer contribution (awarded upon successful completion of 6 month
probationary period)
Annual leave:
25 days plus bank holidays
Main Purpose
To provide Statutory and non statutory mental health advocacy support to local residents across Lancashire.
To promote self-advocacy and empowerment and enable service users to make informed decisions and get
their views heard in matters relating to their mental health and care needs. This will be through one to one
advocacy and other forms of advocacy as required. This role involves working with people of all ages,
including those with learning disabilities, people with mental health needs, people with physical and sensory
impairment, older people and people that lack capacity.
Our Mission
Advocacy Focus seeks to encourage and facilitate the empowerment of individuals by the provision of high
quality advocacy services.
Job Description
Position:
Advocate (Mental Health) x 2 Posts
Responsible to:
Senior Advocate
Salary:
£20,253 with potential to rise to £24,472
(subject to performance and funding)
Hours:
37 hours
Length of Contract:
Permanent (subject to funding)
Main duties and responsibilities
1. To provide Independent Advocacy support as defined under the Mental Health Act 2007 and Advocacy
Standards to individuals in community, residential and hospital settings.
2. To manage a client caseload and ensure accurate case management and record keeping.
3. To provide information, support or signpost clients, so as to inform or empower individuals on issues
regarding their health and care. Including mental health treatment under the amended 2007 Mental
Health Act. , deprivation of liberty safeguards under Mental Capacity Act and support with safeguarding
under Care Act 2014.
4. To advocate for individuals within a variety of meetings relating to their care and treatment, to include
ward rounds, case conferences, Care Programme Approach (CPA) meetings, mental health and
assessments.
5. To provide continuity of advocacy support where issues fall outside of mental health advocacy support
but relate to funded provision by the commissioning authority. This includes providing information
and support relating to deprivation of liberty safeguards under the Mental Capacity Act and support
with safeguarding under Care Act 2014.
6. To maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant mental capacity, mental health and community care
policy, legislation, case law and good practice.
7.
To work within the appropriate legislation, as well as agreed case-working standards and monitoring
requirements
8. To work as a member of the team, attend monthly team meetings, and contribute towards service
planning and developments for advocacy and the wider organisation.
9. To represent Advocacy Focus at various meetings/promotional events as required and to feedback to
the team.
10. To mentor and supervise volunteers and students to support clients through casework and peer
advocacy groups.
11. To be flexible to support work across all areas to meet service demands
12. To undertake duties in line with safeguarding and data protection principles.
13. To produce reports for the Senior Advocate, Advocacy Manager, Senior Management Team and,
others as required.
14. To attend regular supervision/appraisal sessions with the Senior Advocate/Advocacy Manager
15. To be available to work occasionally in the evening and weekends as required.
16. To work within Advocacy Focus’s policies and procedures
17. To attend and complete successful accredited training in order to provide all advocacy strands
18. To be responsible for identifying areas for personal development.
19. To undertake any other duties as commensurate with the grading of the post.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE
Essential
 Good all round level of education.
 Knowledge of legislation, policies and procedures that influence advocacy and social care provision.
 Understanding of Advocacy roles and principles.

An understanding and experience of the needs and issues faced by people accessing health and social
care services in particular people with mental health.

Recent experience in a paid or voluntary capacity involving face to face advocacy or health/social care
provision.
 Knowledge of Health and Social Care Services.
 An understanding of human rights, safeguarding and mental health.
Desirable

Experience of working effectively in an inter-agency context, and with a wide range of stakeholders
SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES
Essential
 Experience of advocating for others
 Ability to write clear and concise English.
 Ability to understand the law, including caselaw and apply it to practice.
 Ability to listen to and engage with people from diverse backgrounds, both face to face and over the
telephone.
 Ability to display empathy in a range of situations and deal effectively with conflict situations.
 Good level of general office and IT skills.
 A high standard of written and verbal skills including the ability to write letters and reports.
 Ability to drive, and have full use of a private vehicle for work purposes.
 Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage a complex workload and to prioritise
effectively.
 Ability to retain comprehensive casenotes using electronic systems.
 Ability to work flexibly and manage your own diary.
 Ability to use supervision and peer support.
 Commitment to equal opportunities.
 Willingness to undertake training, complete the Independent Advocacy Qualification and other
training as identified.
 An ability to reflect and learn to improve practice.
 A positive approach to change.
Desirable
 Knowledge of local area and service provision