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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)

£19,000 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

A college course can give you some of the skills and knowledge you need to be a care home advocate.

You could do a level 2 certificate or 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 could start by doing an adult care worker intermediate apprenticeship.

After this, you could get some experience in advocacy to get a job as a care home advocate.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

Volunteering

Volunteering as an advocate would be a good way to get experience. As a volunteer you'll get training and support to develop your skills.

You may find out about volunteering from Age UK or from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).

Direct Application

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

You may find it helps to get a job if you:

  • have experience working in social work, counselling or at a care home
  • know about the needs of older people
  • show a positive attitude to ageing
  • have used an advocacy or care service personally

Other Routes

Some private training providers offer nationally recognised qualifications, like a level 2 award or level 3 certificate in independent advocacy.

More Information

Career tips

It might help if you can speak a different 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:

  • 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
  • knowledge of psychology
  • 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 daily tasks you could:

  • make sure residents are treated fairly and with dignity
  • help residents explore their options and make informed choices
  • make sure residents have access to their care plan
  • help residents speak for themselves or speak on their behalf
  • go with residents to meetings to give support or attend meetings on their behalf
  • work 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. You could also train other people in advocacy.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Adult Care Worker Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £8,640.00 Annually
  • Location: WESTON SUPER MARE

Adult Care Worker Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £7,503.60 Annually
  • Location: BRAXTED ROAD, GREAT BRAXTED, ESSEX
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Certificate in Health and Social Care (VRQ)

  • Provider: RNN GROUP
  • Start date: 05 September 2023
  • Location: Rotherham

Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care

  • Provider: FURNESS COLLEGE
  • Start date: 07 September 2023
  • Location: BARROW-IN-FURNESS
Find courses near you

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