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Care home advocate

Alternative titles for this job include Resident representative

Care home advocates make sure the views and wishes of residents in care homes are heard.

Average salary (a year)

£18,000 Starter

to

£30,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become a care home advocate

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • volunteering
  • applying directly
  • a course run by a private training provider

College

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant courses include:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Health and Social Care
  • Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D) for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) for a level 3 course

More information

Volunteering and experience

Starting as a volunteer advocate would be a good way to get experience. As a volunteer you would receive training and support to develop your skills.

Direct application

You could apply directly to become a care home advocate. Employers are likely to place more importance on your skills than on your qualifications.

Experience in care work, social work or counselling could give you an advantage.

You'll need to have an understanding of the needs of older people and show a positive attitude to ageing.

You may also find it useful if you've had experience as a user of advocacy or care services.

Other routes

Some private training providers offer nationally recognised qualifications that include units on advocacy.

More information

Career tips

It might help if you can speak a community language for some jobs.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a care home advocate and training from:

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of psychology
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
  • being able to use a computer terminal or hand-held device may be beneficial for this job.

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties could include:

  • making sure residents are treated fairly and with dignity
  • finding and explaining information
  • helping residents explore their options and make informed choices
  • making sure residents have access to their care plan
  • helping residents to speak for themselves or speaking on their behalf
  • helping to negotiate with others involved in decisions
  • going with residents to meetings to provide moral support, or attending meetings on their behalf
  • working with with care home staff and other agencies

Working environment

You could work at an adult care home or in an office.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could progress to a more senior role, like advocacy coordinator.

Training opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a care home advocate right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care

  • Provider: The de Ferrers Academy
  • Start date: 05 September 2019
  • Location: Burton on Trent

BTEC National Certificate in Health and Social Care

  • Provider: St Edmund Campion Catholic School & Sixth Form Centre
  • Start date: 01 September 2019
  • Location: Birmingham
Find courses near you

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