Partners in Advocacy has an exciting opportunity for a new board member with an interest in independent advocacy.

We are seeking a Trustee who will have good interpersonal and communication skills, a commitment to working as a team, an understanding of and commitment to our charity’s work, a broader knowledge of trends across the third-sector and the application of those to strategic work.

Partners in Advocacy welcomes applications from people with a disability, those with a minority ethnic background, and the LGBTQ+ community.

This post is a fixed term 35 hours per week contract until 31st March 2028.

Partners in Advocacy has established itself as one of Scotland's leading providers of independent advocacy, delivering exceptional advocacy services since 1998.

We are thrilled to present a wonderful opportunity within our children’s advocacy service nationwide throughout Scotland- “My Rights, My Say ”. As an independent advocacy worker, you will have the privilege of providing one-to-one independent advocacy to children and young people with additional support needs who are age 12 to 15 and support them to exercise their rights within education. Through this role, you will ensure that their voices are heard, enabling them to make informed choices, protect their rights and have a meaningful impact on decisions that affect their education and lives.

Please note that although this post is advertised as hybrid, the successful candidate will work from home or office if preferred with the need to travel to meet advocacy partners and as this is a nationwide service this could mean travel at times to all areas of Scotland.

Applicants should also hold a current driving licence and have access to a roadworthy vehicle for work use.

We strongly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply. If you believe your skills, experience, and expertise align with the criteria outlined in the person specification, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please complete the application form, ensuring that you provide examples of how your knowledge and experience fulfil each aspect of the person specification.

Partners in Advocacy takes pride in being a Disability Confident Employer, fully committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment.

Partners in Advocacy has been delivering independent advocacy services since 1998 and is recognised as a trusted and established provider across Scotland.

We are pleased to offer an opportunity to join our East Lothian service as an Independent Advocacy Worker.

This is a rewarding role where you will make a genuine difference by providing one-to-one independent advocacy to people aged 16 and over with learning disabilities and/or autism. You will support individuals to have their voices heard, helping them express their views, understand their rights, explore their options, and take part in decisions that affect their lives.

You will also play a part in identifying opportunities to develop collective advocacy groups, supporting people to come together around shared experiences and priorities.

The role involves travelling throughout East Lothian to meet people in a range of community and clinical settings. Travel expenses are covered, and you will be supported to plan your work in a way that is both effective and sustainable.

Working closely with the Service Coordinator, you will help maintain accurate service data and support the development of quarterly reports, helping demonstrate the impact of advocacy.

This is a role that offers a high degree of autonomy, alongside regular support, supervision, and opportunities to connect with colleagues across the organisation.

We warmly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds. If your skills and experience align with the person specification, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Please complete the application form, providing examples of how you meet each aspect of the criteria.

Partners in Advocacy is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible working environment.

What the role is really like

• You’ll be working independently most of the time, managing your own diary and priorities.
• You’ll need to be comfortable and excellent at working with people with learning disabilities and/or autism, one-to-one and in groups.
• Your days will vary from supporting someone in a meeting, to travelling across East Lothian, to completing case notes at home.
• Some situations can be complex or emotionally demanding, and good boundaries are important.
• You’ll need to be able to understand and then explain complex information and processes to people with learning disabilities and/or autism, and to help them to understand their rights and explore their options.
• You’ll need to be comfortable making decisions and working proactively, while staying connected to your wider team.
• You’ll be speaking to a range of professionals in a range of settings, communicating and amplifying your advocacy partner's opinions and wishes.
• You’ll record, track and compile statistical and other information, writing it into quarterly monitoring reports and anonymised case studies.

You’ll be a good fit if you:

• Are comfortable working autonomously and managing your own workload.
• Can build trust with people and communicate clearly in a range of situations.
• Are organised and able to balance direct work and admin responsibilities.
• Have good report writing skills.
• Are confident travelling independently across a semi-rural area.
• Value equality, rights, and person-led support.