Job Description

Location: Field Based – County Durham

Contract: Permanent, Part Time – 31.5 Hours

Salary: £22,090.42

DBS Check: Enhanced with Adults

At Rethink Mental Illness, we believe everyone deserves to have their voice heard. As a Trainee Advocate, you'll support people to understand their rights, express their views and take part in decisions that affect their lives, while gaining a nationally recognised qualification and developing a rewarding career in advocacy.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about empowering others and wants to develop specialist skills in independent advocacy.

About the role

As a Trainee Advocate, you'll begin your journey by working towards the Level 4 Independent Advocacy Practice Qualification, with dedicated study time and support from experienced colleagues. You'll learn through a combination of formal training, shadowing opportunities and hands-on experience, gradually building the confidence and knowledge needed to manage your own caseload.

You will provide non-statutory independent advocacy within the community or care settings for people affected by mental illness who are accessing or trying to access mental health services. This may include secure facilities, hospitals, care homes, supported living facilities and people within their own homes or temporary accommodation.

As a field worker, you will be based at home and will manage your own calendar, planning in client visits effectively as well all administrative tasks.

You will work across County Durham and therefore will need to have the ability to travel between multiple client appointment locations across the day, as well as travel to team meetings and training sessions as required.

No previous advocacy qualification is required. We're looking for people with the right values, transferable skills and a genuine commitment to helping others have their voices heard.

What you'll be doing

You'll learn how to:

• Support people to understand their rights, choices and options.
• Ensure people's views, wishes and preferences are represented.
• Deliver both instructed and non-instructed advocacy.
• Work within key legislation and advocacy frameworks.
• Manage your own caseload and maintain accurate records.
• Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
• Promote advocacy services across local communities and professional networks.
• Help people develop the confidence and skills to advocate for themselves wherever possible.

What we're looking for

You don't need previous advocacy experience, but you'll bring:

• A passion for supporting and empowering people.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
• A person-centred and non-judgemental approach.
• Good IT and administrative skills.
• A willingness to undertake the Level 4 Independent Advocacy Practice qualification and associated development modules.
• The ability to travel across County Durham and occasionally elsewhere for training and work-related activities.

Experience gained through work, volunteering, caring responsibilities or lived experience will all be valued.

What you'll gain

This role is more than a job. It's a career pathway.

We'll provide:

• Full training and development support.
• Dedicated study time to complete your qualification.
• Regular supervision and reflective practice sessions.
• The opportunity to work alongside experienced advocates.
• A structured route into a qualified Advocate position upon successful completion of your qualification.

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

Why join Rethink Mental Illness?

We believe people do their best work when they feel supported, valued and able to be themselves. You'll benefit from:

• An inclusive culture, with colleague-led staff networks for Disability & Neurodiversity, Race & Ethnicity, LGBTQIA+, Gender Equality and Menopause.
• Flexible working and 25 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays and your birthday off), with the option to buy or sell leave.
• Wellbeing support including our Wellbeing Hub, Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Champions and Unmind.
• Learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Financial and family benefits including a contributory pension, enhanced family leave and travel schemes.
• Recognition and rewards including discounts, cashback offers and a Blue Light Card.
• Referral bonus where you can earn up to £300 for introducing someone to our team.

Our commitment to inclusion

We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. We're also committed to becoming a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider supported by a multi-year equity, diversity and inclusion programme of work. For more information please view https://www.rethink.org/media/hdtjjy5b/revised-edi-plan-rethink.pdf

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences and want everyone to have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and experience. If you need reasonable adjustments during recruitment or when in your role, please let us know and we will work with you to understand what support you need.