Job Description

Are you passionate about the rights of people with mental health problems in inpatient and residential settings? Are you able to challenge others on their behalf? Do you want to make a difference to their lives?

About the Service

NYAS provides mental health advocacy to patients at hospitals throughout the UK.


Our service provides independent advocacy to patients within locked secure hospitals and community-based settings where we ensure that patients who are admitted are given a voice to make sure their rights are upheld.


We provide advocacy support for patients with mental health issues and learning disabilities at times when it is important for their wishes and opinions to be heard and their feelings expressed, for instance, representing them during discharge meetings, ward rounds and at multi-disciplinary team meetings.


The primary users of our services are vulnerable adults however some settings do include working with children and young people.

The Vacancy

We are looking to recruit a

Self-Employed Independent Mental Health Advocate

to work in a mental health setting based in Luton. You will provide independent and confidential mental health advocacy to qualifying patients and work to agreed outcomes with the patients promoting an understanding of outcomes and options available to them.


You will be expected to work in line with Mental Health Act 1983 code of practice and will be required to produce written reports with the purpose of ensuring the views of the patient is fully represented.


For more information, please view the attached contract delivery specification. Please contact recruitment@nyas.net for any questions prior to applying.

Please note:

In your application, you will need to evidence, using specific examples, how your skills and experience meet the criteria laid out in the person specification, within the contract delivery specification below. Requirements include:


Proven practice experience in delivering direct work to children, young people and vulnerable adults in a social care or mental health setting Experience and understanding of child protection/vulnerable adult safeguarding procedures Ability to maintain professionalism at all times An understanding of the importance of listening to children, young people and vulnerable adults without bias or prejudice with a strong commitment to support and develop and opportunities for children, young people and vulnerable adults to engage with the service.

You will be required to complete annual safeguarding and compliance including, Personal Safety, Data Protection, Information Security, Safeguarding and Equality and Diversity. You will be able to subscribe to an e-learning platform provided by NYAS. The platform will provide you with the opportunity to undertake a number of other professional courses that you can complete in your own time to maintain your own CPD. You can do this on the e-learning platform at a significantly reduced cost compared to undertaking each course individually with different providers.


NYAS operates robust safe procedures to ensure the protection of the children, young people and adults at risk we work with. To comply with NYAS's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, references and a Digital Risk Assessment.


In accordance with UK immigration law, NYAS is required to ensure that all prospective candidates have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom. Therefore, proof of eligibility to work in the UK will be required as part of the recruitment process.


We reserve the right to close this vacancy early once we receive a high number of applications.

About NYAS

As an established leading rights-based charity, NYAS (National Youth Advocacy Service) is well positioned to ensure that children, young people, and adults across England and Wales are fully respected, represented, and supported in expressing their views and having their rights upheld.


We work with care-experienced children, young people, and adults who are often reliant on statutory services suffering the negative impact of the cuts in public expenditure. Our combination of social care and legal services places us in a unique position to ensure that they receive the services they need and that their voices are heard.


We are an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment which means NYAS welcomes applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or belief, or any other protected characteristic.


NYAS is proud to share that we are a Disability Confident Employer and we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies.


Work with us to help change lives.