Job
Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) Full time
Living Options Devon Job Advert
Devon-wide, dynamic, progressive, user-led organisation seeks:
Job Title: Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA)
Salary: £25,481 per annum pro rata (NJC 19)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Term: Permanent
Location: Exeter office-based with flexibility to work from home a certain number of days a week. Ability to travel across Devon.
The IMCA service is part of the Devon Advocacy Consortium commissioned by Devon County Council to provide a high quality Independent Advocacy service across Devon and Torbay for vulnerable adults with complex health or social care needs due to physical, learning or sensory disability, Deafness (for whom British Sign Language is their first or preferred language), Acquired Brain Injury and/ or general frailty.
The role:
Participate in the delivery of the IMCA Service in accordance with LOD’s policies, the Mental Capacity Act & Regulations, Mental Capacity Act (MCA) & Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Codes of Practice, Devon County & Torbay Council’s Contract Specification and any subsequent directives.
Advocate on behalf of clients who have been assessed as lacking capacity in relation to eligible IMCA decisions under the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
Consult with the client in private to establish, as far as possible, their views, wishes, values, and feelings around the decision to be made.
Liaise and communicate effectively with the Decision Maker, and any other relevant professionals, to collate opinions and evidence, about the decision to be made.
Consult with any other persons who can provide information about the views, wishes, values, and feelings of the client, past or present.
Access and examine any records, including any health and social care records, relevant to the decision to be made.
Advocate on behalf of the client throughout the best interests decision making process ensuring that this process is Mental Capacity Act compliant.
Identify all possible options or courses of action, ensuring that any decision made is in the client’s best interests, and the least restrictive option.
Produce evidence based reports within agreed appropriate timescales to support the decision making process.
Attend Best Interests, and any other meetings, as required.
Challenge decisions made on behalf of clients through the appropriate channels including accessing the Court of Protection if appropriate.
Prioritise work to meet the needs of clients and decision makers.
Identify any conflicts of interests associated with IMCA cases and inform the IMCA Manager to ensure conflicts are appropriately managed.
Record case work clearly and accurately on the IMCA service database in compliance with the Data Protection Act.
Close cases following IMCA service protocols, ensuring the requirements for internal and external monitoring and evaluation are met.
Identify any risks in delivering the service, inform the IMCA Manager, and comply with risk management procedures.
Attend other meetings as appropriate and agreed with the IMCA Manager.
Work to promote equal opportunities in the IMCA service.
Keep up to date with legislative, social policy and case law developments relevant to the IMCA Service.
Living Options Devon exists to ensure people with physical, learning and/or sensory disabilities and Deaf people with sign language can make an active and equal contribution in society.
To become part of our organisation you should have the following skills:
- Experience of working with the statutory and health & social care agencies.
- Experience of person -centred working.
- Experience in working with people who require advocacy.
- Experience of working with people who have a range of disabilities and communication problems.
- Practical working knowledge and practice in areas of Safeguarding and/or Mental Health or another relevant specialty.
- Knowledge and understanding of people who are socially excluded.
- Demonstrable commitment to upholding the rights of people who face disadvantage or discrimination.
- Understanding of the principles and practice of Independent Advocacy.
- Understanding of and demonstrable commitment to ensuring equal opportunities in practice.
- Ability to write formal reports to a high standard.
- The ability to negotiate and exercise diplomacy effectively.
- Excellent organisational and case management skills, and the ability to plan and prioritise and the demands of a multiple case load.
- Good time management skills, ability to work flexibly and creatively under pressure and to tight time deadlines.
- The ability to work on your own initiative.
- Strong analytical skills.
- High personal motivation with ability to identify issues and pro-actively address them.
- Excellent IT skills, with knowledge of standard Microsoft packages.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with an ability to communicate and convey information clearly and appropriately.
In return for your hard work and dedication you’ll enjoy a wide range of benefits including:
- Competitive salary
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Flexible working location – remote/Exeter office based.
- Contributory pension scheme (conditions apply)
- Training and development opportunities.
- Cycle to work scheme
- Fully Accessible office with on-site parking
Closing Date: Wednesday 24th August
Interview Date: Wednesday 31st August
For more information about the post please email Anne Phelan, IMCA Manager anne.phelan@livingoptions.org
PLEASE NOTE: All applications have to be received by a completed application form which can be downloaded from our website. https://www.livingoptions.org/get-involved/work-with-us/ and returned to jobs@livingoptions.org by the closing date.
For further details, full JD, personal specification and application pack, please visit our website: www.livingoptions.org or email: jobs@livingoptions.org, Tel: 01392 459222.
An enhanced DBS check is required for this post.
Living Options Devon strives to be user-led in all that we do and we welcome applications from disabled and Deaf people.