Mental Health Advocate (Havering)
This role is available for an immediate start. We will be reviewing applications and meeting suitable candidates as they apply, and the vacancy will close once the position is filled
Essential Qualification
- The post holder must hold the National Independent Advocacy Qualification (NIAQ).
Overall Purpose of the Post
- To deliver Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) and NHS Complaints Advocacy (NHS CAS) to residents of Havering
- To support and empower individuals to understand their rights, navigate the NHS complaints process, and have their voices heard in decisions that affect them.
- To apply and promote the NHS CAS seven key principles: Empowerment, Accessibility, Confidentiality, Resolution, Independence, Partnership and Value for Money.
- To promote self-advocacy wherever possible, enabling individuals to understand their options, express their views, and take an active role in decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
Advocacy Delivery
- Act on referrals and undertake casework in line with IMCA and NHS CAS requirements, ensuring service standards are met and accurate records are maintained
- Deliver the IMCA services for individual service users as defined by the service’s work programme
- Provide an IMCA service to people experiencing mental capacity issues as defined in the Mental Capacity Act 2005
- Deliver a service which is independent and confidential
- To represent and support that person in all matters relating to the MCA:
- Serious Medical Treatment
- Care Reviews
- Change in Accommodation
- Safeguarding
- Deprivation of Liberty
- To compile a final report in preparation for Best Interests decision detailing visits or contacts made on behalf of the person being supported.
- Provide clear information so that individuals understand their rights, the NHS complaints procedure, and the roles of professionals involved in their care.
- Support clients at meetings with health and social care professionals, ensuring their wishes and rights are represented.
- Manage a caseload effectively, prioritising urgent matters while maintaining a high-quality service
Partnership & Promotion
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with professionals (NHS, local authority, social care, voluntary agencies) to increase understanding of IMCA and NHS CAS.
- Promote the service to statutory and voluntary sector organisations, carers, and community groups.
- Explore opportunities to deliver advocacy from community sites to improve accessibility.
Professional Standards
- Uphold the independence, integrity, dignity, and rights of service users at all times.
- Ensure accurate, confidential record-keeping in line with GDPR and organisational policy.
- Work in line with relevant legislation, including the Mental Capacity Act, Human Rights Act, Equalities legislation and safeguarding duties.
- Attend supervision, training, and team meetings as required.
- Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, and reporting to demonstrate service impact.
General Duties of All Mind in Havering, Barking and Dagenham Employees
- Participate in induction, training, team meetings, and appraisals.
- Support effective systems for service user records, finance, and communication.
- Deal with complaints in line with organisational policy and report service concerns.
- Share responsibility for good health and safety practices.
- Undertake administrative tasks independently.
- Work within all organisational policies, including Equality, Health & Safety, and Confidentiality.
- Respect the rights of clients’ privacy and confidentiality within legal and safeguarding frameworks.
- Undertake any other duties reasonably required to support the effective delivery of advocacy services.
Flexibility & cross-project working
- As a not-for-profit charity reliant on external funding, our projects and services evolve in response to the changing needs of the communities we serve. As such, all project staff are expected to demonstrate flexibility in their role, including a willingness to work across different projects where needed.
- Project workers should have, or be open to developing, transferable skills that allow them to contribute effectively across multiple areas of the organisation. This may include supporting different teams, adapting to new funding priorities, or working with different service user groups. Where necessary, staff may be reassigned to different projects to ensure we continue to deliver the best possible support to those who need it. This collaborative and adaptable approach is key to sustaining our work and making a lasting impact.
- The above is not an exhaustive list of duties and you will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your changing role within the organisation and the overall business objectives.
The post holder may also undertake other reasonable duties commensurate with the post holders grade and capabilities as defined by the CEO