Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA)

Assert is a small team of advocates working as a project within Mental Health Resource charity and as part of the Kent Advocacy partnership. We provide high quality, issue-based advocacy and statutory IMHA services to individuals affected by mental health problems, often detained in medium and low secure units and in acute inpatient settings. We also provide community advocacy in West Kent, Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley.  It can be a tough job, but in return you will receive competitive pay, training, benefits and have the support of a strong team. You will have the opportunity to expand on your existing skills and attributes required for the role. Training will be provided if you are not yet qualified as an IMHA.

You will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and show confidence and assertiveness when required. You will understand the diverse needs of people affected by mental health problems and how these differ for those detained in inpatient settings from those requiring support in the community. You will need to be resilient, comfortable working within professional boundaries and have the ability to cope with sometimes challenging people and environments. In addition, you will have strong organisational skills and be able to work on your own initiative, as well as within a team.

You will have a natural confident and calm manner and key skills of honesty, trustworthiness, and respect for confidentiality.

You will be passionate about mental health advocacy. Ideally, you will have experience of working as an advocate, and if you are not qualified as an IMHA, you will be expected to undertake training. The IMHA training takes approx. 1 year. *

A willingness to work within a diverse range of environments is essential as is the ability to work with people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. A current driving licence and access to your own transport is essential. 

The role is offered on a full-time basis, however part-time hours will also be considered. You will be office-based in Maidstone with scope for hybrid working where practical. We offer attractive benefits including a competitive salary, flexible working, up to 4% pension contributions, generous annual leave rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service, birthday leave, winter wellbeing leave,  employee assistance programme, strong team support and clinical supervision.

An Enhanced DBS check will be required for the role.

For further information please read the job description and person specification. If you would like to have an informal conversation about the role or require further information, please contact Leigh Attwood. To apply, send a covering letter explaining how you meet the criteria in the person specification with copy of your current CV.

Only applications with a covering letter will be considered for shortlisting.

Closing date: Monday 2nd December at 9am                                                       

Interview date: Tuesday 10th December in person in Maidstone

Mental Health Resource is committed to equal opportunities and promoting diversity and encourage applications from all sections of the community.

* In line with our organisational policy, if you leave within a certain timeframe, you may be asked to repay the cost of the training

JOB SUMMARY                   

To provide statutory issue-based advocacy to people detained in acute psychiatric hospitals and forensic hospitals/rehab units across West Kent and community advocacy to people with mental health difficulties in the community in West Kent, ensuring that their views, wishes and needs are taken into account and expressed and heard.                                           

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1.      To provide independent mental health advocacy to eligible patients in accordance with the provisions Mental Health Act 2007 as amended and as detailed in the Code of Practice to the Act

2.      To provide independent, issue-based advocacy in the community as appropriate.

3.      Ascertain the needs and wishes of clients and act only under instruction of clients.

4.      To telephone and meet with clients on the ward or another convenient location to help them prepare for meetings and to attend appointments with them to speak on their behalf if required, take notes and ensure that they understand the proceedings.

5.      To help clients understand what is being considered around their care, treatment and support and the impact of any decisions made.

6.      For independent mental health advocacy, to explain to people what their options and rights are and to support them to communicate their wishes so that they can participate as fully as possible in the decisions affecting their care.

7.      To liaise with, and on occasion to challenge, NHS, care professionals or local authorities as appropriate to ensure that due processes have been followed.

8.      To raise any safeguarding issues in line with Mental Health Resource’s policy and procedures.

9.      To maintain accurate and timely records of all interactions with clients in accordance with statutory requirements, relevant legislation and in line with the requirements of our funders.

10.  To meet monthly targets for chargeable work, by service delivery and accurately recording details of work completed on the database in a timely manner.

11.  To provide information, reports and statistics as required.

12.  To develop and share good practice and learning with colleagues and contribute to the promotion of a culture of continuous service improvement and support.

13.  To deliver awareness raising sessions to staff on wards and training to staff on advocacy and the service available.

14.  To build and maintain good working relationships with professionals, attending meetings and promoting the service.

15.  To promote the service through the distribution of publicity material, liaison with statutory and voluntary services and where appropriate through the media and presentations to local groups within the agreed charity policies

16.  To undertake appropriate training in order to gain an advocacy qualification.

GENERAL

17.  To attend and participate in meetings of the project team, charity staff and other bodies as required.

18.  Adhere to and keep up-to-date with organisational policies, guidelines and procedures and best practice requirements

19.  Represent Mental Health Resource in a knowledgeable and professional manner at all times

20.  To participate in charity events, networking events, and any other relevant event as and when required.

21.  Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times

22.  Participate in regular supervision, team meetings and other meetings as required

23.  Identify own training and development needs in conjunction with your line manager and participate in training opportunities as directed

24.  Undertake any such additional duties as necessary in relation to the role or as requested by the Charity Manager

25.  To maintain records of hours worked and to complete accurate expense returns.

26.  To carry out any tasks reasonably requested of them by the Line Manager

An enhanced DBS check is required for this role.

ADVOCATE (IMHA and General)

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Criteria

Assessment process (A = demonstrated through application / I = demonstrated at interview) 

• Understanding and knowledge of the needs of people with mental health problems, including those detained under the mental health act   (A.I) 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences (A.I)
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including on the telephone, in person, over video link and through presentations, demonstrating confidence and assertiveness (A.I)
• Emotional resilience and the ability to cope with sometimes challenging people and environments (A.I) 
• Experience of identifying and meeting the needs of individual people (A.I) 
• Ability to work within professional boundaries (A.I) 
• Good organisational and administration skills to manage own workload and appointments (A) 
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet targets and deadlines (A.I) 
• Good time management and ability to work flexibly and prioritise tasks required (A.I) 
• Computer Literacy and a good working knowledge of Outlook and Word (A) 
• Ability to work as part of a team and act on own initiative (A.I)
• Personal commitment to equal opportunities (A.I) 
• Hold a valid driving license with access to transport in order to visit locations across West Kent (A)

Desirable Criteria

• Previous experience of working as an advocate. (A) 
• Experience of working with people with mental health problems either in a professional or voluntary capacity (A) 
• Experience of facilitating training (A)
• Experience of working with a database and using Excel spreadsheets (A) 
• An understanding of the statutory rights of people detained under the mental health act (A)