37 hours per week
The successful candidate will need to undertake the Level 4 apprenticeship qualification in Independent Advocacy
https://www.gcstraining.co.uk/level-4-independent-advocacy-new
CADMHAS has been operating since 2007 and provides community advocacy, statutory advocacy (Independent Mental Health and Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy) and Relevant Person Representative services across North Wales and Powys.
We are looking to appoint a Community Mental Health Advocate to join our apprenticeship scheme. Our apprenticeship scheme is open to applicants of all ages (over the age of 16) and will require the successful candidate to follow a Level 4 Independent advocacy course, whilst attending college (on a virtual basis) for 2 days per month. The remaining time will be split between completing coursework and practical casework. We are looking for one person to work primarily in the Conwy and Denbighshire region.
| Responsible To: | The Director of Services, who is responsible to the Board of Directors of CADMHAS. |
| Working with: | CADMHAS staff and volunteers. Service users of CADMHAS. Colleagues in both statutory and non-statutory agencies. |
| Location: | Based at home - Conwy and Denbighshire |
| Hours of work: | 37 hours per week |
| Area of work: | Primarily in Conwy and Denbighshire, but required to work throughout the region to provide cover when required |
| Aims of the post: | To work as a community mental health advocate with adults. |
| Remuneration: | The starting salary for the post is £23,401 pro rata per annum, moving to £24,793 pro rata when the Diploma in Independent Advocacy is achieved. The cost of this will be borne by CADMHAS. CADMHAS will comply with the employer pension duties in respect of the Employee in accordance with Part 1 of the Pension Act 2008. |
| Hours: | A full-time working week is 37 hours, this post is for 37 hours per week (excluding lunch hours). Overtime is not payable but time off in lieu may be taken at a mutually convenient time. Very occasional evening and weekend work may be necessary |
| Annual Leave: | Holiday entitlement is 37 days per annum pro rata, inclusive of all Bank Holidays. |
| Funding: | Funding for the post is from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. |
| Other information: | There will be a probation period of 3 months commencing from the first day of employment. The post will be subject to an enhanced DBS check |
Main tasks and responsibilities:
Advocacy:
- Deliver independent advocacy services for individual service users as defined by the service’s work programme,
- To work as an advocate in Conwy and Denbighshire. Work will be carried out from a variety of locations throughout these areas,
- Provide advocacy to people experiencing mental health problems,
- Deliver a service which is independent and confidential,
- Provide balanced, unbiased information about other organisations and how to access their services, mental health law, medication, therapies, and other relevant information
- Aid to clients who wish to represent their own interests with the statutory/voluntary/private/user sector,
- Aiding clients in a wide variety of situations, e.g., making complaints, changing a GP or statutory worker, negotiating a change in treatment, housing (homelessness), benefits, accessing services etc,
- To promote CADMHAS in joint ventures taking place in the area and any other public relations work which will positively promote the scheme, its work and philosophy.
Administration:
- Develop a working knowledge of administration systems relating to CADMHAS,
- Maintain and safeguard all information and property held in the CADMHAS base,
- To present written reports when requested.
The following tasks will be carried out, depending on the time available, and under the direction of the line manager.
- Represent the views and interests of CADMHAS on various committees as requested and agreed by the Manager,
- Participate in the collection of local information,
- To aid in the collection of data required for the evaluation and monitoring of all aspects of the project.
General:
- To attend such training events identified as being of value to the role,
- The post holder will be expected to either already hold, or to have achieved within 18 months, the Level 4 Diploma in Independent Advocacy. The post holder will be expected to attend such training events identified as being of value to their role either by the Service Manager or themselves through supervision and appraisal,
- Priorities for the work of the advocate will be in line with the service’s development and work programmes. The advocate’s work will be closely monitored on the Board’s behalf by the Service Manager.
The duties outlined above are not exhaustive but serve as a guide to the current and major responsibilities of the post. In view of this the job description will be reviewed on a regular basis and may need to be altered. Such changes will be in consultation with the post holder.
Community Mental Health Advocate
The following are considered to be essential criteria for this role:
- An understanding of advocacy,
- An understanding of mental health issues and a positive attitude to the experiences faced by mental health service users,
- The ability to provide representation and support for clients in a wide variety of settings, to a wide variety of people and organisations,
- An understanding of, and commitment to, the involvement and empowerment of service users,
- Excellent communication skills on behalf of others,
- Good listening skills,
- Negotiation skills,
- Experience of working as part of a team and working independently,
- The ability to work in a way that empowers people,
- Must hold current full driving licence and have access to a vehicle that they can use to enable them to visit service users and attend meetings as required,
- A willingness to develop with the organisation,
- Report writing/record- keeping skills,
- Ability to use word processing packages, input information into a database and carry out research on the internet,
- Flexibility and enthusiasm.
The following are considered to be desirable criteria for this role:
- Experience in the field of mental health in a paid/voluntary capacity or as a carer or user of services,
- Experience in the voluntary sector,
- The ability to communicate effectively in Welsh. Welsh learners will be given support given to improve their skills,
- Experience of delivering advocacy.
Applications:
- A CV will not be accepted. Applications forms will need to be requested from CADMHAS office by emailing us at admin@cadmhas.co.uk or by phoning the office on 01745 813999
- Closing date for applications is 23rd June 2023. The applications can be emailed to admin@cadmhas.co.uk or posted to CADMHAS, 94 Bowen Court, St. Asaph Business Park, Denbighshire, LL17 0JE
This post is also available in: Cymraeg
