Mental Health Advocacy (General) Caseworker

Position: Mental Health Advocacy (General) Caseworker

Location: Wilmslow & Handforth

Closing date: 26 July 2024

Job title:
Mental Health Advocacy (General) Caseworker

Location:
Wilmslow & Handforth

Workplace:
Office

Salary per annum (FTE):
24,000-28,000

Actual salary:
£7,200- £8,400

Hours per week for this role:
10.8

Working pattern:
Part-time

Type of contract:
Fixed term

End date of contract:
31/08/2025

Closing date for applications:
26/07/2024

Interview date:
01/08/2024

Email address that candidates can contact for more information

will.mckellar@citizensadvicecn.org.uk

Citizens Advice Cheshire North are seeking either a qualified Citizens Advice Adviser, or a trainee candidate, who can demonstrate they have the capacity to assist in the provision of general advice services to clients with mental health conditions, based within Wilmslow & Handforth. If you have advice experience, are passionate about supporting individuals and families in need and interested in joining a dedicated, professional team, we would love to hear from you.

As well as a personable and empathetic manner, the post holder will need to be very well organised and able to respond to changing demands on their time. The aim of this client instructed service helping clients to address and resolve the issues which are affecting or stopping the return to independent living; or causing relapse. Support will be offered to clients with mental health conditions, especially on benefits, employment and housing, though all issues are dealt with. This role will include casework where the adviser advocates for the client – for example including assisting in preparing benefit claims and appeals; advocating on behalf of clients with employers and landlords.

You will:

• Have the ability to commit to and work within the aims, principles and policies of the Citizens Advice service
• Be an enthusiastic and dynamic team player with excellent communication and interpersonal skills and also be able to work independently
• Be a trained Citizens Advice Adviser or be prepared to undertake a fairly rigorous and intense training on the job and including some within your own time
• Have some experience of dealing with clients who have mental ill-health and understand the nature of how this can affect decision making processes and increase complexity of issues
• A commitment to continuous professional development, including a willingness to develop knowledge and skills in advice topics.
• Be willing to work from a variety of settings including outreach in 3rd party venues, our offices and your own home as required
• Excellent time management as well as knowledge and experience of project working in a target led environment would be an advantage
• Have a full driving licence, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel for client or team meetings etc
• Have good technical skills - you must be numerate, have experience of using different IT systems and understand the importance of case recording.

Every local Citizens Advice is a registered charity. Different application procedures are adopted by individual local Citizens Advice. Contact the relevant one as outlined in the information about this role. You should not send an application form to national Citizens Advice.

All local Citizens Advice produce their own annual report, but you can find out more about the Citizens Advice network or download the latest national Citizens Advice annual report.