Independent Advocate Interview Questions UK: 8 Real Questions and What Interviewers Want

Most Independent Advocate interviews in the UK follow a pattern, and knowing it beats guessing. Below are eight questions from our bank of 12, each with a note on what the interviewer is really after.

Eight Independent Advocate interview questions, and what the interviewer is thinking

1. What are the core principles of independent advocacy, and how do they differ from the role of a social worker or care coordinator?

Why they ask: They need to know you understand independence, as an advocate who sides with the system is no use to the person.

2. What is the difference between instructed and non-instructed advocacy, and how would you work with someone who cannot tell you what they want?

Why they ask: This is a core skill when supporting people with dementia, profound learning disabilities or brain injury.

3. What is the role of an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate, and when must one be instructed?

Why they ask: IMCA work is statutory, so they want accurate legal knowledge.

4. How would you work with a person who is subject to the Mental Health Act under section 3 and wants to challenge their detention?

Why they ask: Independent Mental Health Advocacy is a key part of the role in hospital settings.

5. A care home manager tells you the person you are supporting is too confused to be involved in a meeting about her care. What would you do?

Why they ask: They are testing assertiveness and your grasp of the Mental Capacity Act's presumption of capacity.

6. The person you advocate for wants to leave a care home and go back to her own flat. Her daughter and the social worker both say it is unsafe. How do you handle this?

Why they ask: Advocates regularly face conflict between a person's wishes and others' views of risk.

7. Tell me about a time you challenged a decision on behalf of someone you were advocating for.

Why they ask: Standing up to professionals is central to advocacy and needs tact and persistence.

8. Why do you want to work as an independent advocate, and what personal qualities does the role demand?

Why they ask: They want to hear that you understand the role is about the person's voice and not about helping in general.

A sample answer to question 1

What are the core principles of independent advocacy, and how do they differ from the role of a social worker or care coordinator?

Independent advocacy is about helping someone express their views and wishes, secure their rights and have their voice heard in decisions that affect them. The principles in the Advocacy Charter and the Quality Performance Mark framework include clarity of purpose, independence, putting people first, empowerment, being confidential and being accountable. The key difference is loyalty. A social worker has to balance the person's wishes against statutory duties, resources and risk. I do not. I take instructions from the person, even when I privately think they are making an unwise choice, and I have no connection to the local authority or provider that makes decisions about them. I would never give my own opinion on what is best, though I would make sure they have the information to decide. If someone cannot instruct me, I support them using non-instructed methods and focus on what they would want.

Common mistake to avoid: Describing yourself as a support worker; Giving your own opinion on what is best

Want the rest?

Full model answers, key points and common mistakes for all 12 questions are on the Independent Advocate interview questions page. The first five are free, no sign-up needed.