Senior Qualified Independent Advocate

Advocacy Service

Closing Date for Applications: 24th October 2025

We are looking for a qualified advocate to join our team. If you're already qualified and seeking the next step in your career, this is a great opportunity to use your skills to manage your own caseload while also supporting a small number of staff — including both qualified and trainee advocates — through supervision and coaching.

In this role, you will also assist the Team Manager with service delivery, which may include attending meetings and deputising when required. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop and progress within a supportive and innovative team.

We offer:

Flexible working and autonomy
Ongoing supervision and support
Travel expense contributions
Continuous training and development
A culture that encourages creativity and new ideas

Overview

We are currently contracted to deliver 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 relevant skills and qualifications.

The purpose of the role is:

To provide line management to qualified and trainee advocates
To support the team manager with the delivery and development of the service.
To provide Independent Advocacy to qualifying people across Teesside within inpatient and community settings.
Provide statutory and non-statutory advocacy across Teesside as required.

Applicants must have a full valid driving licence and access to transport for site visits.

Qualifications & Experience Required

Educated to Level 3 equivalent
National Advocacy qualification
Specialist advocacy module (eg IMHA, IMCA)
Management qualification (desirable)
Experience of working in a team setting and coaching and/or mentoring colleagues
Managing case load effectively within set targets
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 and/or rights upheld and support their understanding of 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 (desirable)

Main Responsibilties

Senior advocate main duties and responsibilities:

To provide support and line management to a small number of trainee and qualified advocates, in line with organisational policies and procedures, including monthly line management supervision, performance management, management of HR issues including probationary period, leave and absence.
To provide guidance and support to staff members in delivering advocacy support, including safety management, peer group support, case management support and training of new staff.
To manage staff performance in all areas to achieve service outcomes.
To support with reviewing, maintaining and improving the quality of the service.
To support with managing referral allocation.
To attend meetings with stakeholders.
To support with arranging and facilitating monthly team meetings and peer group Supervision.
To support team manager with any other service requirements.

Qualified advocate main duties and 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 advocate for service users at key meetings including discharge meetings, children’s services reviews, care reviews and ward meetings.
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 carry an advocacy caseload and ensure service users are kept informed and up to date on any work being carried out 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 Mind’s 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.

Working Hours

Full time 36.5hrs. part-time will be considered on request

Salary Range

£28,625.63 per annum