Case Worker – CAPSA Services (Culturally Appropriate Peer Support and Advocacy)

About Black Thrive 

Black Thrive Global (BTG) evolved from the work of the Black Thrive Lambeth Partnership, established in 2016. We exist to address the inequalities that negatively impact the mental health and well-being of Black people so that the thriving of Black communities is the norm. Our guiding principle is that Black communities should be at the forefront of reimagining, redefining, and co-creating a society where systemic racism and other oppressive systems have been dismantled so that they have fulfilling lives. We have two priorities – building a Black Thrive Research Institute and embedding race equity in systems change

Purpose of the role

The CAPSA (Culturally Appropriate Peer Support and Advocacy) Worker role has been specifically designed to support Black people using the secondary mental health system. As a CAPSA Worker, you will provide both Generic Mental Health Advocacy and Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) to eligible individuals, including people detained under the Mental Health Act (MHA) 1983/2007, conditionally discharged restricted patients, those under Guardianship, and those on Community Treatment orders, as well as individuals considered for section 57 treatments.

You will play a key role in ensuring that the perspectives of Black service users are recognised and respected, addressing their unique and multiple needs, and promoting access to advocacy for all eligible individuals. You will raise awareness of advocacy, rights under the MHA, and the CAPSA service among professionals, individuals, and agencies.

In addition to direct advocacy, you will contribute to service development by supporting an effective administration system and helping evaluate the impact of advocacy for both service users and commissioners.

As part of CAPSA’s race-led approach to systems change, you will also help challenge systemic racism in mental health services, embed culturally competent practice, and promote equitable care within South London and Maudsley NHS Trust (SLaM).

Job summary

Black Thrive Lambeth has developed a co-designed, culturally appropriate peer support and advocacy service (CAPSA) on behalf of the Living Well Network Alliance (LWNA). CAPSA provides support to Black community members with mental health needs through peer support and advocacy, led by individuals with lived experience or lived understanding of mental health challenges. The service creates a space where experiences are respected, accepted, and valued equally.

The role involves building positive relationships with Black service users; offering one-to-one and group advocacy; supporting self-advocacy; gathering and sharing information to inform decision-making; and preparing monitoring reports and feedback. Caseworkers ensure that the views, wishes, and needs of Black service users are heard and acknowledged, addressing the impact of racism within traditional mental health services.

CAPSA values

The CAPSA values are based on the following principles of engaging and empowering Black communities to embrace and acknowledge their potential:

• Humanity - Embracing diversity and the importance of all our communities – ensuring an anti-racist and anti-oppressive approach.
• Empathy – Providing a safe and trusting environment, welcoming lived experience and being non-judgmental.
• Healing – Acknowledging the hurts of the past and embracing a positive future.
• Respect – Listening to individuals - taking an approach that builds on strengths, is empowering and recovery focused.
• Togetherness – Developing mutual two-way relationships, that redresses the power imbalance, resisting a them and us approach.

Additional information 

• We welcome applications specifically from Black people of African and Caribbean heritage, particularly from men, who are underrepresented in this field, as the statutory requirement of the Equality Act 2010, Advance Equality in Mental Health 2020 and Parent Carer Race Equality Framework 2020, in order to address the importance of Black employee safety. These posts are therefore restricted to Black applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9 and Part 1. 
• An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required. Still, we will treat applicants with a criminal record fairly and not unreasonably discriminate because of a conviction or other information revealed.