All Job Categories
Advocacy worker
Independent advocate, relevant person's representative
Advocacy workers help give people a voice in decisions about their health or social care.
Average salary (a year)
£19000.0
Starter
£30000.0
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
37.0 to 39.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
between 8am and 6pm
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a college course; an apprenticeship; volunteering; applying directly; a course run by a private training provider
College
A course in health and social care would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
    Apprenticeship
    You can gain some of the skills and knowledge you need through an Adult Care Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.
    You could then do further training on the job or through an independent training provider.
    Entry requirements
    You'll usually need:
    • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
    More Information
    equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
    guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
    Volunteering
    Starting as a volunteer advocate is a good way to get experience. As a volunteer you would receive training and support to develop your skills in the health and social care sector.
    You may find relevant voluntary experience with Age UK or through NCVO.
    Direct Application
    You could apply directly to become an advocacy worker. Employers are likely to place more importance on your skills than on your qualifications.
    You would be required to complete a Level 4 Independent Advocacy Practice qualification within your first year of working.
    Experience in care work, social work or counselling could give you an advantage.
    It may be useful if you have experience of using advocacy or care services.
    Other Routes
    Some private training providers offer nationally recognised qualifications in advocacy, like
    Level 2 Award in Independent Advocacy, Level 3 Certificate in Independent Advocacy, Level 4 Independent Advocacy Practice
    More Information
    Professional And Industry Bodies
    You can find out about training opportunities and different routes within advocacy work from the Social Care Institute for Excellence.
    The National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTI) awards the Quality Performance Mark to advocacy providers who demonstrate that they provide excellent services.
    Further Information
    You can learn more about becoming an advocacy worker from Skills for Care.
    The Older People's Advocacy Alliance (OPAAL) promotes advocacy services for older people.
    What it takes
    Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
    Skills and knowledge
    You'll need:
      Active listening skills
      The ability to understand people’s reactions
      A desire to help people
      The ability to work well with others
      To be thorough and pay attention to detail
      Customer service skills
      Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
      Excellent verbal communication skills
    Digital Skills Level
    to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
    Other Requirements
    It may be useful to have a driving licence if the role involves visiting clients in different places.
    Related Restrictions
    What you will do
    Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
    Day to day tasks
    As an advocacy worker you could
    support clients of all ages to have a voice in decisions about their care, help people explore their options and make informed choices, work with family and other professionals involved in your client's care, make sure correct legal processes are followed, write up case notes and reports
    Working environment
    You could work at an adult care home, at a children's care home or in an office.
    Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.
    Career Path & Progression
    Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
    With experience, you could move to a more senior job, like advocacy co-ordinator or a team manager.
    You could work in a different type of advocacy role, such as children and young people or mental health capacity. Alternatively, you could choose to specialise in an area like independent health complaints.
    Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
    Powered by
    Claim your school or college profile