We are looking to fill a full-time (35 hours a week) post and a part-time (25 hours a week) post to provide independent advocacy across Perth & Kinross for Adults affected by the Mental Health (Care & Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003; the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000; and the Adult Support & Protection (Scotland) Act 2007; Unpaid Carers and Adults who have problematic Alcohol and/or Drug use.

The full-time post is in our Adults Team and the part-time post is also with our Adults Team, but supporting individuals with problematic Alcohol and/or drug use.

Independent advocacy is about ensuring everyone can access information regarding their human rights, helping them to understand and access the systems that affect them. We support them to have their voice heard within circumstances that affect their life.

At Independent Advocacy Perth & Kinross (IAPK), our advocates are completely independent from other Statutory and 3rd Sector Organisations that provide services to the people we support. We do not provide any other services other than independent advocacy. This means that we are as free as possible from any conflicts of interest.

We are committed to the individual’s voice and wishes being heard; we do not express our own view only that of the individual. Even when a person is considered not to have capacity, we still work to seek out that individual’s point of view.

For more information on the role and our Codes of Best Practice, please visit the website of our governing body, the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance.

Our Values:

- Human Rights: We recognise the essential dignity and inherent Human Rights of every person. We encourage those with power to respect rights and secure social justice.

- Independence: We are free from outside control, autonomous in our actions and remain uninfluenced in our work. We only provide Independent Advocacy.

- Partner-Led: We put the people we work with at the heart of our work. We are patient and skillful listeners who enable people to get their voices heard.

- Honesty: We act and communicate with openness, integrity and transparency at all times.

- Courage: We are proud to be champions of our Advocacy Partners and organisation. We support the right to challenge and are willing to question decisions and attitudes.

- Empowerment: We will work with our Advocacy Partners to enhance their capacity to have their voices heard, to make choices and to transform those choices into desired actions and outcomes.

As of 2024, we are reviewing our organisational values, as we are committed to ensuring these represent & support both our service users (referred to as our Advocacy Partners) and our employees. But we would ask all to still consider the above when applying for any IAPK role.

How We Support our Supporters:

As defenders of human rights, IAPK strongly advocates for supporting those whose role it is to support others, including all of our advocates, administration and management staff.

Mental Health:

IAPK has an Employee Assistance Programme which can offer therapeutic check ins. This offers a safe space for anything employees wish to discuss, ensuring further support within a role that will often interact with difficult circumstances.

We also understand that life doesn’t always go to plan, so IAPK offer and support Wellbeing Days, which can be fundamental in taking time for self-care.

Flexible Working:

We also support flexible working across all roles, so you can work with your line manager to find a routine that fits both your post and your individual life circumstances.

Experience & Growth:

IAPK look to support learning and growth within all roles, as we believe this is a key factor in job and life satisfaction. Thereby, various training opportunities, both mandatory and optional will be offered and encouraged throughout the year. Staff are also welcome to discuss futher training suggestions and/or desires with their line manager.

Workplace Pension:

IAPK offers a workplace pension which provides 4% employer contribution along with a 5% employee contribution. Staff are auto-enrolled onto this scheme following 3 months of employment.

Further Supportive Policies:

We understand that work is one of many parts of life, and so all of our working policies are written and reviewed to ensure they support the many facets of living, such as those pertaining to maternity/paternity & family life, illness/healthcare appointments, commuting, and expenses.

If you would like any further information, or have any questions regarding Reasonable Adjustments, just let us know.

Person Specification:

Prior experience as an advocate is not essential, but all candidates should have a passion for upholding people’s human rights, including their right to be heard, and a desire to proactively learn about Independent Advocacy.

For further details, please see the job description document attached.