We are looking to recruit people who share our core values and can demonstrate that they apply and live those values in their daily working practice.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full time Culturally Appropriate Independent Advocate to join our Birmingham team. The successful candidate will be working on a new fixed term contract delivering Culturally Appropriate advocacy within secure mental health hospitals across Birmingham. This project is funded through The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and will run through to the end of March 2025.
The successful candidate will be expected to have a good understanding and reach within Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic cultures and have a passion for supporting people with minority ethnic backgrounds to access care and treatment for mental health, particularly where there is unmet need.
You will need to be visible on-site at secure mental health hospitals and will also provide some support within community settings. You will be supporting a wide range of vulnerable adults often with profound and multiple needs, so you will have experience of this type of work. This will include visiting mental health wards within the Birmingham area.
Ideally, you will have strong experience working with vulnerable adults who are affected by significant health and social care issues who find it difficult to speak up for themselves; and experience providing persuasive verbal and written representations.
You will be supporting beneficiaries with a range of different types of support including at discharge meetings, at drop-ins and in the community.
You will be a confident positive team player, able to work in partnership with clients, partners and professionals, gaining an understanding of their issues by listening, exploring options and taking action as directed by them. Our ideal candidate will have worked in advocacy, information and advice or similar role before, ideally in a health, social care or voluntary setting and will have experience of working with vulnerable adults.
You will need to have a flexible attitude and must be comfortable handling highly sensitive information whilst able to work well independently and confidently on behalf of others. Strong communication skills and time management skills will be required and you will need to be computer literate. A full induction and training schedule will be provided as well as ongoing peer mentoring and support.
Because of the nature and location of the role, applicants must live within the area; have a full driver's licence and access to their own transport . Travel expenses will only be paid once in the Birmingham border.
We would like to encourage applicants who have an ethnic minority background to apply for this role.
Hours of Work: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm
Contract type: Fixed term until 31 st March 2025
Location: Birmingham
Independent Advocate Requirements:
* Strong communication and time management skills are essential for effective remote work.
* Proficiency in IT including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and the ability to master new software.
* A keen eye for detail to meticulously manage records and meet critical deadlines.
* Experience in advocacy, advice, or a similar role within health, social care, or the voluntary sector is highly desirable.
* Demonstrable experience of working with vulnerable adults is crucial.
Independent Advocate Benefits: