Lead independent mental capacity advocate jobs

Do you want to work with a leading advocacy charity organisation supporting those in need?   

Do you have experience of working or volunteering in welfare, support or health and social care and are looking for a new challenge?  

Are you keen to make a difference to people who want to be heard?  

Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility.  

We have an exciting opportunity for an Advocate to join our team in Wolverhampton. Your role will require you to travel to locations such as hospitals and care homes across the area to meet with clients and professionals and be home based for administration; therefore, a suitable home internet connection is essential.

About us  

VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations.  

We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most.  For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.  

About you 

Desirably you will have some experience of working as an Advocate, providing welfare, supporting, or caring for Adults or young people who have support needs, ideally for those with a variety of communication needs, mental ill health, physical health issues, or barriers to accessing education and support. 

You should have worked or volunteered in health, social care, welfare, support services, education or young person’s services, or advice and guidance. 

How will you make a difference? 

You will be responsible for ensuring the individual’s wishes, feelings, beliefs, needs, and values are met to create positive outcomes for the people you support. 

You will support people to speak up for themselves and grow in confidence, equip them to understand and exercise their rights and options, and will assist them in the decision-making process relating to their care, treatment, and support. 

You will work resourcefully and collaboratively with the individuals you support.You’ll be creative in your approach to empower our clients by ensuring you meaningfully explain people’s options and rights to them.You’ll support individuals to fully participate in decisions affecting them and will make sure they have their voices heard.  

Professional Development? 

You will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your professional abilities and you will make a real difference every day. Advocates are expected to be willing to gain, or to already hold, the Level 3 Award in Independent Advocacy Practice with disciplines suitable for the role they work in. 

Benefits

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time colleagues) rising to 30 days upon 5 years’ service

5% employer pension & minimum 3% employee contribution

Salary sacrifices pension scheme

Separate Life Assurance Cover (equivalent of two times your annual salary)

Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays, gym membership etc

24/7 Employee Assistance programme

Access to remote counselling service

Paid Disability Leave

Paid compassionate Leave

Home Working Allowance 

Support with continuous professional development

Personal Development Plans

How are staff supported to work remotely?

VoiceAbility has a small number of offices. Employees including Team Leaders are homebased for Administration and meetings will be held online as well as in person in the relevant community.

When you need to travel for work, expenses will be paid (mileage or public transport costs). 

VoiceAbility offers the usual regular manager one to ones, Staff forums and communities of practice depending on role. Team meetings with a mix of virtual and in person approach. 

Equality and Diversity 

VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential. 

Do you want to work with a leading advocacy charity organisation supporting those in need?   

Do you have experience of working or volunteering in welfare, support or health and social care and are looking for a new challenge?  

Are you keen to make a difference to people who want to be heard?  

Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility.  

We have an exciting opportunity for an Advocate to join our team in Coventry and warwickshire. Your role will require you to travel to locations such as hospitals and care homes across the area to meet with clients and professionals and be home based for administration; therefore, a suitable home internet connection is essential.

About us  

VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations.  

We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most.  For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.  

About you 

Desirably you will have some experience of working as an Advocate, providing welfare, supporting, or caring for Adults or young people who have support needs, ideally for those with a variety of communication needs, mental ill health, physical health issues, or barriers to accessing education and support. 

You should have worked or volunteered in health, social care, welfare, support services, education or young person’s services, or advice and guidance. 

How will you make a difference? 

You will be responsible for ensuring the individual’s wishes, feelings, beliefs, needs, and values are met to create positive outcomes for the people you support. 

You will support people to speak up for themselves and grow in confidence, equip them to understand and exercise their rights and options, and will assist them in the decision-making process relating to their care, treatment, and support. 

You will work resourcefully and collaboratively with the individuals you support.You’ll be creative in your approach to empower our clients by ensuring you meaningfully explain people’s options and rights to them.You’ll support individuals to fully participate in decisions affecting them and will make sure they have their voices heard.  

Professional Development? 

You will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your professional abilities and you will make a real difference every day. Advocates are expected to be willing to gain, or to already hold, the Level 3 Award in Independent Advocacy Practice with disciplines suitable for the role they work in. 

Benefits

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time colleagues) rising to 30 days upon 5 years’ service

5% employer pension & minimum 3% employee contribution

Salary sacrifices pension scheme

Separate Life Assurance Cover (equivalent of two times your annual salary)

Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays, gym membership etc

24/7 Employee Assistance programme

Access to remote counselling service

Paid Disability Leave

Paid compassionate Leave

Home Working Allowance 

Support with continuous professional development

Personal Development Plans

How are staff supported to work remotely?

VoiceAbility has a small number of offices. Employees including Team Leaders are homebased for Administration and meetings will be held online as well as in person in the relevant community.

When you need to travel for work, expenses will be paid (mileage or public transport costs). 

VoiceAbility offers the usual regular manager one to ones, Staff forums and communities of practice depending on role. Team meetings with a mix of virtual and in person approach. 

Equality and Diversity 

VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential. 

VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.

How to apply 

To apply for this role please sign up for a recruitment account by clicking the apply button on this page. Follow the instructions to create your account, upload your CV, and complete our short application form.  

Important Dates: 

Closing date for applications; Midnight 4th May 2026

Don’t forget to read the person specification so you can tell us about yourself and how your skills, abilities and experiences match the criteria outlined in the person specification. 

We look forward to hearing from you. 

NB: If you don't already hold the Independent Advocacy Practice qualification, and you are successful in your application, it is a requirement that you complete the core element within 12 months of commencing the training.  VoiceAbility will fund this training.  

About the Role

As an Advocate with us, you’ll support individuals in diverse circumstances to have their voices heard by health and social care professionals and other key stakeholders. Your work will help ensure people are empowered to make informed decisions about their lives and care.

The role involves travel to locations such as clients’ homes, hospitals, care homes, and community settings. While some work can be completed from home, particularly administrative tasks, access to your own transport and a reliable home internet connection is essential.

As this is a newly funded project, the postholder will play a key role in shaping how SHOUT is delivered locally. This includes developing strong working relationships with schools, SEND teams, Transitions services and community partners, identifying unmet need, promoting the service, and contributing to the growth and sustainability of the project.

About You

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds. Ideally, you’ll have some experience in advocacy or in providing support, or welfare services to adults or young people - particularly those with learning disabilities and/or autism, communication needs, mental ill health, physical health issues, or difficulties accessing support.

You may have worked or volunteered in health or social care, education, youth services, support services, or in advice and guidance roles. Above all, we’re looking for people who are passionate about making a difference and supporting others to be heard.

How will you make a difference?

You’ll actively promote SHOUT within local communities and professional networks, helping to build awareness and increase access to early advocacy support.

· You’ll help young people to understand their rights, entitlements, and choices; providing clear, accessible information tailored to their needs.

· You’ll support young people to express what matters to them - or speak on their behalf when needed - ensuring their views, wishes, values, and beliefs are represented.

· You’ll promote self-advocacy and confidence-building at every opportunity, encouraging young people to speak up for themselves.

· You’ll work creatively and collaboratively to empower young people to participate in decisions affecting their lives.

· You’ll act in line with relevant legislation (including the Children Act 2004, Working Together to Safeguarding Children, Keeping Children Safe in Education, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, Human Rights Act and Equality Act 2010), and you’ll constructively challenge professionals and services to uphold their duties.

· You’ll escalate concerns appropriately to safeguard individuals and contribute to improved service delivery.

To learn more about Advocacy and the services we provide, please visit our website.

Professional Development

We’re committed to helping our team grow. Whether you’re starting your career in Advocacy or looking to expand your expertise, we offer a range of development opportunities. We’re proud of our track record in supporting staff to build knowledge, skills, and experience across various advocacy roles.

Equality and Diversity

At Your Voice Counts, we are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace. We value diversity, promote equality, and work to ensure everyone can reach their full potential.

We are a Disability Confident employer. Applicants who identify as disabled and meet all essential criteria will be offered an interview. If you require an alternative way to apply, please contact our HR team to discuss your needs.

Person Specification

We’re looking for passionate and committed individuals who can support people to be heard and make informed choices. Below are the qualities, experience, and skills we’re looking for in an ideal candidate.

Essential Criteria

Experience and Knowledge

· Understanding of SEND processes, including EHCP reviews and transition planning.

· Experience of working or volunteering in health, social care, education, youth services, support services, or advice and guidance.

· Understanding of the challenges faced by people with learning disabilities and/or autism.

· Awareness of the importance of confidentiality, safeguarding, and professional boundaries.

· Knowledge of health and social care systems, and how to support people to access services.

Skills and Abilities

· Strong communication skills, including the ability to listen actively and adapt communication to meet individual needs.

· Ability to build trust and positive relationships with clients, professionals and partner agencies.

· A person-centred and empathetic approach to supporting others.

· Confidence in working independently, managing your own time and workload.

· Ability to write clear and accurate case notes and reports.

· Confidence using IT systems, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), and experience of using contact or case management systems such as Charity Log.

Commitment and Practicalities

· Commitment to upholding the rights of individuals and promoting equality and inclusion.

· Willingness to travel across Newcastle, South Tyneside, and Gateshead to meet clients and professionals in various settings.

· Access to your own transport and a suitable home internet connection for remote working and admin tasks.

Desirable Criteria

· Experience of working with young people aged 14–18.

· Knowledge of safeguarding children procedures.

· Previous experience working as an Advocate or in a similar role supporting people to understand their rights and make decisions.

· Experience of supporting individuals with complex needs, including those who may lack capacity or have significant communication barriers.

· Familiarity with relevant legislation (e.g. Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act, Care Act, Human Rights Act).

· Experiencing facilitating or co-facilitating peer groups or community-based sessions.

Position: Community Voice Officer

Location: Barnsley, South Yorkshire

Hours: 25 hours to be taken between Mon – Fri, one day working from home, other days expected to be in the community or office

Salary: £30,000 pro rata; 5% pension contribution, 33 days of annual leave entitlement (inclusive of bank holidays) pro rata

 Reportable to: Healthwatch Manager

Direct reports: None

Job Purpose

Healthwatch Barnsley (hosted by Barnsley CVS), is going through an exciting redesign to enable community voices to have even greater impact on the current strategies and developments in Barnsley.  The Community Engagement Officer role is an impactful and rewarding opportunity to join the Healthwatch Barnsley Team as we navigate upcoming changes introduced through the new NHS 10 Year Plan and the forthcoming Health Bill.  This role will ensure that the voices of Barnsley residents remain central as we work towards building a health and social care system that is fit for the future.

You will use your excellent interpersonal skills and creativity to gather feedback on Barnsley priorities, ensuring residents’ views shape local projects and developments contributing to Barnsley’s vision as the “Place of Possibilities”.

Working with Barnsley CVS and other established third-sector organisations you will identify new ways to reach under-represented or seldom-heard communities and strengthen how their voices inform local decision-making. You will collaborate with the wider Healthwatch team to support a strong, credible and independent voice within Barnsley’s strategic boards, helping to create a genuinely “Listening Borough”.

By capturing residents’ experiences and feeding them back to services you will contribute to a continuous feedback loop that empowers communities, builds trust and encourages ongoing participation in future engagement activities.

Key focus areas you could be working on include topics such as system-wide shifts

· Hospital to Community

· Analogue to Digital

· Sickness to Prevention

· Health on the high street

· The Barnsley 2040 vision

As part of the redesign, you will work as a team to design new ways to create dynamic feedback loops to the public using tools such as magazine creation, blogs or vlogs, podcasts, social media.  Your work will ensure that the communities in Barnsley know that their voice can have a genuine impact on the shaping of their town.

Employee benefits

- 33 days of annual leave (including bank holiday) which increases with longevity

- all staff given time off between Christmas and New Year without it impacting your leave entitlement

- enhanced sick pay during probation and increased entitlement with longevity

- 5% pension contribution

- discounts at local gym

- Enhanced maternity pay

Villagers Connect Project – a great opportunity to join our team at Action in rural Sussex

Villagers Connect is a community development project which is working to sustain a strong and vibrant community in the villages of Colgate, Faygate and Rusper. It aims to build connections and relationships which increase confidence, independence and empowerment, particularly for the over 65’s.

We are seeking a part-time community development worker to work as part of a small team that is active in this rural location in the Horsham district. This role involves a good deal of community-based activity, engaging with older people and the wider community. This does therefore require someone who is understanding of older people and their interests, abilities and needs.

We champion an asset based approach to community development, which is about building on existing strengths and supporting local people to flourish; undertaking community led projects that create community cohesion and have lasting impact.

Key Objectives

· Support older people to access services and support locally that will meet their needs and improve their quality of life

· Improve the lived experiences for older people in these rural communities

· Build connections and relationships across and within the three parishes to reduce social isolation

· Develop new and support existing activities to enable a vibrant community

· Increase confidence, independence and empowerment amongst individuals, groups and community based organisations.

· Strengthen existing community assets, knowledge and skills in line with our asset based approach to the Villagers Connect Project

· Support community resilience by building community networks which are strong and sustainable into the future

Two years in, the project is well established and has gone from strength to strength. We are now seeking a new member of the team to help drive this project forward and enable this community to celebrate what can be achieved when people come together and support one another to age well and live full and active lives, despite the challenges of rural living.