EARS is an independent advocacy provider – our role is to make sure people’s voices are heard when there are issues in their lives.

Work undertaken for this post will be in the Edinburgh and East Lothian community, with the office based in Livingston, West Lothian.

Applications

We especially welcome applications from people with any of the following:

- some experience of providing advocacy

- working with people with a disability

- experience of the Health and Social Care Sector

- experience of the third sector

Ceartas is an independent advocacy service which working with individuals aged 16 and over in East Dunbartonshire.

Are you looking for an exciting new opportunity?

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who has a passion for equality, fairness and justice to join our team.

The post holder will provide independent advocacy support on a one to one and collective basis. The advocacy worker has a key role within the Ceartas team, undertaking a range of advocacy services which may include empowering, informing, enabling and representing service users in a variety of settings.

You do not necessarily have to have experience of delivering independent advocacy but you will have a strong knowledge and understanding of the role of independent advocacy and its guiding principles. Full training and support will be provided.

Ceartas is a Disability Confident Employer.

Ceartas is an independent advocacy service which working with individuals aged 16 and over in East Dunbartonshire.

Are you looking for an exciting new opportunity?

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who has a passion for equality, fairness and justice to join our team.

The post holder will provide support to existing and new peer support groups across East Dunbartonshire. Working closely with group facilitators you will play a vital role in supporting participants and ensuring the smooth running of the groups. You will be enthusiastic, self-motivated and have a passion for creating opportunities for people to connect with their communities.

Full training and support will be provided.

Ceartas is a Disability Confident Employer.

Mental Health Advocacy Project (West Lothian) SCIO

The Mental Health Advocacy Project (MHAP) has been in existence since the late 1980’s when care in the community began to develop. Initially, the Project was set up as a befriending service but developed into an independent advocacy service in the mid 1990’s. MHAP became a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation in May 2015.

We offer professional individual advocacy and collective advocacy services for people who experience mental health problems and/or substance use issues. We are committed to helping our service users to have their views and opinions heard.

We provide advocacy services to approximately 500 people annually who experience mental health, drug and alcohol problems. We have a current staff team of 7 people and are governed by a management committee with the majority being mental health service users. Our project is independent which means we work with people in a way that is free from conflict of interest.

We are looking to recruit an Advocacy Worker for a full time (36 hours) post to provide independent advocacy for people who have or have had mental health issues and/or substance use problems.

Advocacy plays an important role in the process of supporting and enabling people to express their views and concerns, access information and services, defending and promoting rights and exploring choices and options, both individually and collectively.

Main Responsibilities

The post holder will work with people on a one-to-one basis to provide advocacy support on a specific issue. Main responsibilities include:

• To work as part of a team responding to requests for independent advocacy.

• Provide advocacy in a range of settings, for example hospital, office, community and HMP Addiewell and any other relevant environment.

• Manage a caseload in conjunction with our priority groups e.g. Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 and Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000.

• To provide non- instructed advocacy for individuals falling under the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000, in line with the SIAA Non-Instructed Advocacy Guidelines.

Additional Information

• Safeguarding and protecting vulnerable adults is of utmost importance in our work therefore the successful applicant will be given training and regular supervision and will be required to submit to an Enhanced PVG Scheme Disclosure.

• The post will be based in our office in Broxburn however candidate would be expected to travel throughout West Lothian.

• IT equipment will be supplied to allow homeworking when suitable.

• Office hours are Monday to Thursday between 9am and 5pm and Friday between 9am and 3pm.

• Probationary period: 4 months.

• Employees will be auto enrolled into a Group Personal Pension in line with current legislation – 6% contribution by employer and 3% contribution by employee.

• Employees have access to Employee Assistance Programme.

• Death in Service scheme.

• Holidays: 30 days per year + 7 public holidays.

• Post funded until Mar 26.