About Us

Borders Independent Advocacy Service has established itself as one of Scotland’s leading providers of independent advocacy, delivering exceptional services since 1995. At the heart of our work are the rights of children and young people and the power of their voices to bring about positive change.

We provide individual, relationship-based independent advocacy and a wide range of participatory opportunities for people across the Scottish Borders. We work alongside corporate parents and communities to broaden understanding, and with policymakers, leaders and elected representatives locally and nationally to shape law, policy and practice based on the lived experience of Scottish Borders people.

The Role

As an independent advocacy worker, you will have the privilege of providing one-to-one independent advocacy to children and young people who live in the Scottish Borders. Through this role, you will ensure that their voices and wishes are heard, enabling them to make informed choices, protect their rights and have a meaningful impact on decisions that affect their lives.

The post-holder will be a key member of the advocacy team, supporting children and young people to ensure their rights are upheld and their voices are heard. In this role you will have the opportunity to provide independent advocacy, children’s rights, and participation opportunities for children and young people who are looked after, Care Experienced, or subject to formal processes and structures. The role will see you actively participating in child’s plan meetings, children’s hearings, and other formal processes, as well as assisting children and young people to prepare for them.

Working in partnership with professionals, carers, and organisations, you will help to achieve the best outcomes for children and young people by keeping detailed records of the work you undertake, writing liaison reports, and monitoring statistics.

As a vital part of the work of Borders Independent Advocacy Service your role will include facilitating group opportunities for and with children and young people. This includes providing engagement and participation opportunities throughout the Borders Independent Advocacy local and national network, as well as meeting with care experienced children and young people to introduce the service in agreement with the local authority. Raising awareness of Borders Independent Advocacy Service and its services with children, young people, professionals, and carers you will also be responsible for facilitating training amongst professionals, carers, and organisations.

The successful candidate for this post will be able to form positive relationships with children and young people and demonstrate strong interpersonal skills. You will be confident communicating with individuals and groups, both in writing and verbally, and be able to adapt to a wide range of situations. You will be confident in making effective plans, as well as evidencing your work, you can prioritise and meet deadlines. You take enjoyment from working collaboratively with partners, believing in equal opportunities and inclusive working.

Committed to children’s rights, you are someone who knows that all young people can make transformative change happen in their lives if given the opportunity. You will demonstrate knowledge of the current structures, developments, policy, and practice in relation to children and young people experiencing care in Scotland. You are also flexible, given the remit of the role, as some evening and weekend work may be necessary. A full driving licence and access to transport are essential.

While we would welcome the knowledge gathered through relevant qualifications, we are just as interested in relevant work experience. We welcome and encourage applications from those with experience of care.

The successful candidate will be joining Borders Independent Advocacy Service at an exciting time, when the voices of those who are in or have experienced care are growing in power, individually and collectively – bringing with them insight, challenge, hope and change.

If this sounds like the role for you, we would love to hear from you. To arrange an informal conversation about this opportunity or any other enquiries, please contact us, at recruitment@bordersadvocacy.org.uk and a member of the team will get back to you.

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.

Why Join Us?

You will join Borders Independent Advocacy Service at an exciting time, when the voices of those who are the most vulnerable are growing in strength and influence, bringing insight, challenge, hope and change. You will play a key role in shaping and strengthening advocacy services across the Scottish Borders.

We offer:

• A generous pension contribution scheme
• Generous annual leave entitlement, plus public holidays
• Flexible working where possible
• A highly supportive, values-led organisation
• Commitment to staff wellbeing and professional development.

Borders Independent Advocacy Service is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible working environment. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds.

East Dunbartonshire Women’s Aid (EDWA) is looking for a passionate and skilled individual to join our team. We are looking for a Finance Officer who will be committed to our aims and values and who will bring extensive financial management experience and skills to our charity.

The main role of the post holder will be to oversee and manage the overall financial health of the charity, ensuring the sustainability of our services and providing financial monitoring information to our main funders and our Board of Trustees. As our Finance Officer, you’ll help ensure that every £1 donated creates maximum impact for the women, children and young people who need it most.

EDWA operates with a high level of funding from a variety of sources and applicants should therefore have at least two years’ experience of managing significant budgets with a high degree of autonomy and responsibility.

You are required to have the appropriate skills, experience and qualifications that are relevant to the duties outlined in the job description, including being proficient in the use of Sage One Payroll and Microsoft Excel.

You should have an understanding of the feminist analysis of domestic abuse and be willing to work within the group’s collective, non-hierarchical structure.

The role is based in Kirkintilloch with potential for home/flexible working as part of your working week. Attendance will be required at our weekly team meetings to fulfil collective management responsibilities.

As there may be times where you will informally meet women, children or young people using our services, this post is subject to a successful PVG scheme check. We will also require suitable references and completion of a satisfactory 6-month induction period.

Why work with us?

• Pension Contribution of 8%
• Optional on-call allowance of 7.5% (on completion of probationary period)
• 30 days’ annual leave per annum (entitlement for this post will be pro rata)
• 12 public holidays per annum (entitlement for this post will be pro rata)
• Training and development opportunities
• Reimbursement of mileage & necessary expenses
• Hybrid / flexible working opportunities
• Small and friendly team

Help shape the future of dementia support in Scotland

Town Break Dementia Support is seeking an inspiring and committed individual to become the next Chair of our Board of Trustees.

For almost three and a half decades, Town Break has supported people living with dementia and their unpaid carers to remain connected, active and engaged in their communities. As we approach our 34th year, we continue to build on that legacy through relationship-based support, community activities, carer support and meaningful opportunities for connection. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a respected and ambitious charity at a pivotal point in its development, helping shape how dementia support evolves for the future.

Demand for dementia support continues to grow, and Town Break is well placed to build on its strong foundations, deepen its impact and reach more people who need support. As Chair, you will help guide the organisation through its next chapter, ensuring it remains financially sustainable, strategically focused and true to its values.

As Chair, you will lead the Board of Trustees, work closely with the Chief Executive and play a key role in shaping the future direction of the organisation. You will help ensure Town Break continues to deliver high-quality services, maintain strong governance and respond confidently to the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and support the Board of Trustees in fulfilling its governance, legal and strategic responsibilities.
• Ensure the charity operates in line with its charitable purposes and Scottish charity law.
• Provide oversight of the organisation's long-term priorities and future development.
• Chair Board meetings and promote effective decision-making.
• Support and challenge the Chief Executive in delivering the charity's objectives.
• Ensure appropriate oversight of finance, risk, safeguarding and organisational performance.
• Promote high standards of integrity, accountability and transparency.
• Act as an ambassador for Town Break with partners, stakeholders and supporters.

We are looking for someone who can bring:

• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Strategic thinking and sound judgement.
• Experience of governance, leadership or organisational oversight.
• An understanding of financial stewardship and risk management.
• A commitment to inclusion, dignity and person-centred values.
• A genuine commitment to improving outcomes for people living with dementia and those who support them.

Why Join Us

This is a chance to make a lasting difference to the lives of people living with dementia and their families, while helping guide the future of an organisation with a proud 34-year history and an ambitious vision for the years ahead.

The role is voluntary, with reasonable expenses reimbursed.

Purpose of Job

This internship will support the Midlothian Climate Action Hub to strengthen how we communicate our work and demonstrate our impact.

The role will focus on capturing and sharing the stories, learning and outcomes of community-led climate action across Midlothian, helping to amplify the voices of local groups and evidence the difference they are making.

The intern will gain hands-on experience in communications, storytelling, and monitoring & evaluation (M&E), contributing to reports, case studies and digital content.

About our organisation

Midlothian Community Action (MCA) is the Third Sector Interface (TSI) for Midlothian, supporting local community organisations, volunteers, and social enterprises.

The Midlothian Climate Action Hub is hosted by MCA. The Hub works alongside communities to support grassroots climate action, build local networks, and enable projects that respond to the climate emergency in inclusive and practical ways.

Purpose of Job

This internship will undertake front-line community work through supporting the Grassy Riggs Older People’s Drop in Café. The café work will take place in the mornings, 8.30am-1pm.

In the afternoon, the internship will focus on supporting MCA to deliver its role as a third sector interface. Key tasks will include undertaking a survey of our key stakeholders, as well as other strategic activity.

The intern will gain hands-on experience in front-line community work, and a broad range of third sector experience including stakeholder engagement. Job coaching and interview practice will be included programme of work, as well as access to free training. The internship would be ideal for anyone looking for a first role in the third sector.

You can see more about being on placement at MCA here:What's It Like to Work at MCA? - Student Placement Experience - Midlothian Community Action (MCA)

About our organisation

Midlothian Community Action (MCA) is the Third Sector Interface (TSI) for Midlothian, supporting local community organisations, volunteers, and social enterprises.www.mca.scot

The Grassy Riggs is a service for older people and their carers in Woodburn, Dalkeith. The service is based in the Woodburn Community Hub building and provides a warm, supportive environment where people over the age of 65 can come together to experience meaningful social engagement, make friends and try out new opportunities.The Grassy Riggs - Midlothian Community Action (MCA)

We are a charity who provides information, support and safe accommodation for women and children experiencing domestic abuse across West Lothian.

The role of Director is a unique voluntary opportunity for women from diverse backgrounds who have expertise, time and are committed to making a real difference to the lives of women and children who have experienced domestic abuse.

As a member of WLWA Board, you will play a key role in shaping the strategy of WLWA and overseeing its governance to ensure it can continue to provide high quality services. You don’t need to be an expert in domestic abuse, but you do need to have an understanding of the impact it has on women and children and be committed to our vision and values.

The things we believe in that help make this organisation extraordinary:

• SAFETY - Taking personal responsibility to provide for emotional wellbeing.
• HONESTY - Authentically building trust with openness and compassion.
• EMPOWERMENT - Valuing everyone and enabling their unique potential.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We would particularly love to recruit Directors who have experience in Human Resources or Finance, however please don’t let this put you off applying if you don’t have experience in these areas.

We are committed to representing the diversity of our service users on our Board and welcome applications from women from under-represented groups including those from ethnic minority backgrounds and LGBTI people.

The board meets face to face in Livingston every second month. Board members are also invited to join one of our sub committees to accelerate progress on important topics such as fundraising or strategy, driving forward key actions between board meetings.

Although this fantastic volunteering opportunity is unpaid, travel expenses are available for board members to attend meetings.

As well as benefiting from being part of a talented and supportive team of board members, you ill also receive a comprehensive induction plan and ongoing training and support.

Tiree Community Development Trust (known as “Urras Thiriodh”) are seeking a suitably experienced and skilled candidate to play a key role in development of commercial trading activity and income generation, in the beautiful and vibrant Inner Hebridean island of Tiree.

The newly created role is based within our Projects and Services Team, and will take on a lead oversight of existing commercial trading activity within our company group, as well as playing a key role in delivery of work to develop new income streams via trading activity, to support the future funding of the Trust, it’s development work and community services. The role has a dual focus around operational delivery and improvement, and project development and delivery to fund and deliver new assets and activities. Existing trading activities include a community filling station, leased premises for local businesses and delivery of useful assessment services and certifications such as EPCs. There is also an expectation that this role will support the current development of community housing, and the eventual administration of that housing for affordable let to local residents.

The role will play a key part in the ongoing delivery of our Community Development Plan – tireetrust.org.uk/the-development-plan

Are you passionate about making a difference to the lives of young people? Do you want a flexible, varied and meaningful job in a supportive team? Do you value great employee benefits such as generous holidays and an annual training budget? Apply to join us!

Bridges Project is a leading youth work charity that helps young people aged 12-25 in East Lothian and Midlothian overcome challenges and adapt to adulthood. Since 1984, we have helped young people develop their life skills, improve their educational attainment and move into employment or further education. Join our team and take pride inspiring young people!

We have a vacancy for a Support Worker to deliver a support programme to young people aged 13 – 21 from East Lothian who are experiencing a wide range of challenges including family poverty and family substance use.

The successful candidate will:

• Support young people in areas such as reducing social isolation and improving mental health
• Provide mentoring support to young people enabling them to engage in activities within their local communities

This is an exciting position in which the successful candidate will take pride in developing a programme of delivery which will improve the lives of young people in East Lothian.

It is essential that candidates have a full, clean driving licence and constant use of a car. Membership of the PVG scheme will be an essential requirement of the post. A contributory company pension scheme is offered with a 10% employer contribution.

Are you passionate about making a difference to the lives of young people? Do you want a flexible, varied and meaningful job in a supportive team? Do you value great employee benefits such as generous holidays and an annual training budget? Apply to join us!

Bridges Project is a leading youth work charity that helps young people aged 12-25 in East Lothian and Midlothian overcome challenges and adapt to adulthood. Since 1984, we have helped young people develop their life skills, improve their educational attainment and move into employment or further education. Join our team and take pride inspiring young people!

We have a vacancy for an Employability Support Worker to deliver an effective casework and group

work service to young people experiencing a range of challenges such as non-attendance at school,

low attainment, lack of confidence, poor mental health and family poverty.

The successful candidate will:

• Support young people to gain employability skills, life skills and accreditation; helping them in to work, apprenticeships, further education, training, work experience and volunteering
• Provide training to groups of young people alongside individual support to address particular barriers

This is an exciting position in which the successful candidate will take pride in developing a programme of delivery which will provide young people with clear pathways to positive destinations.

It is essential that candidates have a full, clean driving licence and constant use of a car. Membership of the PVG scheme will be an essential requirement of the post. A contributory company pension scheme is offered with a 10% employer contribution.