IMHA Advocacy Worker

*You must have the IMHA Qualification to apply*

Morgan Hunt are recruiting on behalf of Mind in Croydon who are on the search for a qualified IMHA (Independent Mental Health Advocate).

As an IMHA, you will provide independent issue-based advocacy to informal inpatients and residents of Croydon.

Working within a team of three, you will be working in Bethlem Hospital and other hospitals with inpatients, including some highly complex cases.

You will offer qualifying patients who are detained or otherwise covered by Section 130C of the Mental Health Act assistance in understanding and exercising their legal rights as outlined in Chapter 6 of the Mental Health Act Code of Practice.

This role will include:

• discussing with advocacy clients their views, preferences, wishes and determine with them a course of action which promotes their rights and possible further actions;
• signposting advocacy clients to obtain support in the community from other agencies and in a hospital setting;
• accompanying advocacy clients to key meetings such as ward rounds, Associate Hospital Manager Hearings, tribunals, case conferences, care planning meetings and meetings with individual professionals to provide support and representation as appropriate.
• writing letters of complaint on behalf of advocacy clients or help them to write letters and, to accompany them to meetings to discuss complaints.
• supporting users in the pursuit of their rights with respect to:
  • Care Act 2014
  • Local policies - Care Programme Approach and other relevant legislation e.g. Access to Health Care Records
  • NHS complaints procedures and other (e.g. local authority) complaints procedures, where appropriate;
• providing non-instructed advocacy where necessary to individuals who lack the mental capacity (as defined by the Mental Capacity Act 2005) to directly instruct an advocate.

Applicants must have completed and gained the Level 3 Certificate in Independent Advocacy (4 core modules) and the additional specialist module of Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA).

The role is full time and is permanent.

Morgan Hunt is a multi-award-winning recruitment business for interim, contract and temporary recruitment and acts as an Employment Agency in relation to permanent vacancies. Morgan Hunt is an equal opportunities employer. Job suitability is assessed on merit in accordance with the individual's skills, qualifications and abilities to perform the relevant duties required in a particular role.