Independent Community Mental Health Advocate

Job Description

Title:

Independent Community Mental Health Advocate

Department:  Operations

Reporting to:  Advocacy Manager

Office Base:  Swansea

This  post  will  be  subject  to  an  Enhanced  DBS  Check,  including  the  Adult  /
Children Barred Lists

1

Purpose

1.1

1.2

To provide a Community Advocacy service to people in the area who are
receiving services from Community Mental Health Teams, Tier 2 services
or above, or who qualify for a fast track assessment under Part 3 of the
Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010.

The post holder will provide support to people in relation to issues affected
by their mental health, ensuring that they understand and can access their
rights,  within  the  context  of  Independent  Advocacy  as  set  out  in  the
Advocacy Charter and Code of Practice.

2

Core Competencies

2.1

To achieve the objective of this role, the advocate must place the client at
the  centre  of  all  actions  and  decision  making  and  must  display  the
necessary competencies, skills and attitudes in their day to day work.

2.2

These competencies include: -

2.2.1

Working in a non-judgemental manner;

2.2.2

Promoting anti-discriminatory practice;

2.2.3

Maintaining confidentiality;

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2.2.4

Promoting empowerment and self-determination;

2.2.5

Promoting equal opportunities, equality and diversity;

2.2.6

2.2.7

Ensuring that clients are treated with dignity and respect as part
of ethical practice;

Knowledge  of  the  Mental  Health  Act  1983,  mental  Health
(Wales) Measure 2010, Mental Capacity Act, and Deprivation
of  Liberty  Safeguards  in  order  that  clients  can  be  advised  of
their legal rights.  In the case of clients who lack capacity the
Community  Advocate  must  be  able  to  use  this  legislation  to
safeguard these clients’ rights.

3  Main Duties and Responsibilities

3.1

Advocacy Tasks

3.1.1

3.1.2

3.1.3

To provide advocacy support to people who are engaged with
CMHTs or other Tier 2 Mental Health Services, in relation to a
wide range of issues affecting them in their community, and as
required  by  the  commissioning  body  and  local  engagement
protocols.    This  will  include  the  provision  of  some  in-patient
advocacy  by  referral,  for  issues  that  are  not  covered  by  the
remit  of  the  Independent  Mental  Health  Advocacy  (IMHA)
service.    This  will  also  include  providing  advocacy  to  people
who are entitled to a fast track assessment under Part 3 of the
Welsh Measure.

To provide clients with the information they need in order to be
involved in and express their views or raise concerns about the
services they receive.

To enable clients, both as individuals and as groups, to identify
and  articulate
to  services  and
organisations,  facilitating  self-advocacy  and  advocating  for
clients as necessary.

their  needs

in  relation

3.1.4

To liaise, communicate and negotiate effectively with a range
of health and social care personnel and managers to promote

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joint working, an awareness of the role of the advocate and the
entitlements of service users.

3.1.5

the  Community  Advocacy  Competency
Completion  of
Framework  that  was  developed  using  the  content  from  the
pathway  units  of  the  City  and  Guilds  Level  4  Qualification,
Professional Practice in Independent Advocacy.  This must be
completed during the first year of employment, and may involve
some “out of hours” time commitment.

3.1.6

To  work  within  the  Advocacy  Code  of  Practice,  the  Mental
Health Act Code of Practice for Wales and the Mental Capacity
Act Code of Practice.

3.2

Awareness Raising

3.2.1

3.2.2

3.2.3

To  promote  the  role  of  advocacy  and  services  that  ASC
provides within a variety of settings.

To liaise with other agencies, identify and implement ways of
enabling  closer  communication  between  clients,  carers,
professionals, statutory and voluntary agencies.

Establish and maintain links with community groups, voluntary
sector  providers  and  social  service  authorities  include  BAME
and older persons groups and services.

3.2.4

To actively promote a positive image of ASC.

3.2.5

To actively and positively promote mental health issues.

3.2.6

Attending mental health forums as discussed and agreed with
your manager.

3.3

Advocacy Support in Cymru Limited tasks

3.3.1

to  complete

Within the first year of employment, Community Advocates are
expected
for
Community  Advocates,  which  was  devised  following  the
content from the pathway units of the City and Guilds Level 4
Qualification, Professional Practice in Independent Advocacy.

the  Competency  Framework

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3.3.2

3.3.3

3.3.4

3.3.5

This may involve some “out of hours” time commitment.  Failure
to achieve this may result in your employment being terminated.

Monitor services by using the required recording systems and
in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018.

To  contribute  towards  quarterly  and  annual  Commissioners
Reports.

To  assist  the  Advocacy  Manager  in  the  development  and
implementation  of  the  Business  Plan  and  other  related
documents.

To  complete  all  required  service  documentation  and  general
documentation  required  by  ASC,  ensuring  that  there  are
accurate records of work pertaining to the post.

3.3.6

To complete necessary Administrative Tasks.

3.3.7

To adhere to the requirements of all Service Level Agreements,
Engagement Protocols and contractual requirements.

3.4  Confidentiality

3.4.1

To ensure strict confidentiality is maintained at all times.

3.4.2

Understanding  of,  and  compliance  with  Data  Protection
legislation,  and  the  ASC  Data  Protection  and  Confidentiality
Policies.

3.5  Health and Safety

3.5.1

3.5.2

To  work  at  all  times  in  a  safe  and  efficient  manner,  and  be
aware of ASC’s Health and Safety Policies.

All  employees  have  a  responsibility  of  care  for  their  own  and
others health and safety.

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3.6

Training

3.6.1

To attend all mandatory training sessions.

3.6.2

3.6.3

To ensure that all training needs are identified, met and updated
to  encompass  all  relevant  changes  and  practices  (subject  to
funding).

All employees have a responsibility to assist, where appropriate
and  necessary,  with  the  training  and  development  of  fellow
employees, students on placement or volunteers.

3.7

Behaviours

3.7.1

3.7.2

3.7.3

3.7.4

3.7.5

3.7.6

To  work  with  the  ASC  corporate  framework  and  to  follow  all
ASC policies, Procedures and Protocols.

To ensure that your Line Manager is fully informed of any issues
that may affect the quality of service provision.

To  attend  all  supervision  sessions,  appraisals  and  notified
meetings, where relevant.

To  ensure  good  communication  both  within  ASC  and  with
external agencies.

To  ensure  ASC’s  Equal  Opportunities,  Code  of  Conduct  and
Health and Safety Policies are fully understood and upheld.

To ensure that all work is conducted to the highest professional
standards within ASC’s Policies and Procedures.

3.8  Other

3.8.1

Any other duties relevant to this post.

3.8.2

The Job Description sets out the main duties of the post at the
date drawn up.  Such duties may vary from time to time, without
changing  the  general  character  of  the  post,  or  the  level  of
responsibility.

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3.8.3

Such  changes  are  common  occurrences  and  cannot  by
themselves constitute a reconsideration of grading.

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Person Specification

Title:

Independent Community Mental Health Advocate

Department:  Operations

Reporting to:  Advocacy Manager

Office Base:  Swansea

Qualifications

Essential

1

A minimum of 5 GSCE’s or equivalent

Desirable

1

City and Guilds Level 4: Professional Practice in Independent Advocacy

Experience

Essential

1

A minimum of 2 years direct experience working with vulnerable adults and
/ or children in health and social care settings, or indirect experience, for
example as a carer.

2

Facilitating group work, chairing or taking an active part in meetings.

3  Organising work load and prioritising tasks in order to make effective use

of the available time.

4  Working effectively in an intra-agency context with Health and Social Care

Professionals.

5

Use of Information Technology in respect of record keeping, administration,
researching material and correspondence.

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Desirable

1  Working, either paid or unpaid, as an advocate.

2

Use of Health or Social Care Services.

3  Working in diverse and multi-ethnic communities.

4  Working  with  people  with  mental  health  difficulties,  learning  disabilities,
dementia, complex communication needs and / or capacity difficulties.

Attitudes and Personal Qualities

Essential

1

2

The promotion of equality and diversity.

The promotion of autonomy and self-determination.

3  Working  in  a  non-judgemental  way  that  is  respectful  of  people’s  needs,

wishes and experiences.

4

Flexible, adaptable and open ways of working.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

1

2

3

4

5

6

A range of mental health difficulties and how these can impact on people.

The principles and purpose of advocacy.

Local Community Networks and Services

The principle of confidentiality, specifically in relation to the advocate / client
relationship.

A range of professional boundaries.

Deal confidently with a wide range of people in a confident, empathic and
tactful way.

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7

8

9

Communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally, with a cross-section
of  people,  e.g.  excellent  letter  writing,  a  pleasant  and  clear  telephone
manner, negotiation skills in meetings.

Competently use Word Processing programmes and e-mail.

Effectively manage work time and tasks.

10  Accurately and assertively represent people to decision makers in a range
of contexts, e.g. care planning meetings, ward rounds, hearings, etc.

11  Assimilate information quickly and construct coherent arguments.

12  Take an active role in meetings.

13  Work under personal initiative, make and challenge decisions.

14  Recognise and deal with potential risks, be aware of and manage personal

safety.

15  Work collaboratively and function effectively within a team environment.

Desirable

1

Parts 2 & 3 of the Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010.

Other

Essential

1

2

3

Travel efficiently and effectively within the Advocacy Support Cymru area
of operation.  Car use is essential.

Undergo training and professional development.

Accept supervision.

4  Work occasionally outside of normal office hours.

5

Undertake other duties not specified, but in line with, the Job Description.

Desirable

1

Ability to speak Welsh.

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