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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

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a care home advocate

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • 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), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You may be able to start by doing an Adult care worker intermediate apprenticeship and then do further training.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Volunteering

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.

You may find relevant voluntary experience at Age UK or at NCVO.

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 in advocacy, like:

  • Level 2 Award in Independent Advocacy
  • Level 3 Certificate in Independent Advocacy

More Information

Career tips

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

Professional and industry bodies

Skills for care is an independent charity and has further information about working in the care sector.

Further information

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

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

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
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
  • the ability to understand people’s reactions
  • a desire to help people
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you could:

  • make sure residents are treated fairly and with dignity
  • find and explain information
  • help residents explore their options and make informed choices
  • make sure residents have access to their care plan
  • help residents to speak for themselves or speak on their behalf
  • help to negotiate with others involved in decisions
  • go with residents to meetings to provide moral support, or attend meetings on their behalf
  • work 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

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

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

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Support Worker

  • Wage: £9,984.00 Annually
  • Location: Not known

Social Care Worker Apprentice

  • Wage: £280.00 Weekly
  • Location: Basingstoke
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Health and Social Care Certificate

  • Provider: ISLE OF WIGHT COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2022
  • Location: Newport

Certificate in Health and Social Care

  • Provider: CITY COLLEGE PLYMOUTH
  • Start date: 12 September 2022
  • Location: PLYMOUTH
Find courses near you

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