Lomond & Argyll Advocacy Service are seeking a recovery advocate on the Isle of Bute to join our team.

Your core mission will be to offer people information about their rights and services and to assist them in seeking to have their voices heard and their wishes respected.

Lomond and Argyll Advocacy service are looking for a person who has Lived Experience of problematic alcohol or substance use, either;

• personally and in recovery
• Awareness through a family member or close friend
• Working knowledge of substance and alcohol dependency issues

This is a part time post, and will focus on continuing to improve access to independent advocacy and other local supports for people impacted by problematic alcohol or substance use. The post will also provide rights based peer advocacy in line with the Scottish Governments Strategy: Rights, Respect and Recovery.

This will be achieved by:

• undertaking relevant learning and development on a Rights Based Approach in Independent Advocacy
• working with individuals in line with the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance
• working within the aims of LAAS
• managing your workload efficiently in accordance with the policies and procedures of LAAS
• working as an individual, but also as part of a team
• developing your skills by identifying opportunities for learning
• promoting and raising awareness of LAAS and its work across Argyll and Bute with a focus on ensuring awareness within services and communities on the Isle of Bute.
• Uploading information, maintaining files on joint virtual working space
• Sending and receiving emails and using a range of digital platforms’
• delivering rights based independent advocacy
• monitoring progress towards specific project targets and outcomes
• using and developing existing networking techniques to create links with appropriate individuals and groups (statutory and voluntary) to raise awareness of Independent Advocacy
• supporting LAAS to develop and deliver learning opportunities

This post requires the successful candidate to apply for membership of the PVG Scheme.

Flexible hours to be worked between 9-5 Monday to Friday. Ability to work from home within area however the ability to travel in the locality is essential.

REPORTS TO: Advocacy Practice Lead

Organization: Lomond and Argyll Advocacy Service have been delivering advocacy services to people in West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute council areas for over 20 years. Initially focusing on those with a statutory need

for Advocacy under the Mental Health Care and Treatment Act and further supporting adults with a learning disability and people in the local community, our service has grown to cover a wide range of individual need, including specialist services supporting those challenged by addiction and those recently liberated from prison

Purpose of the Post: Practice Leads perform a key first line manager and leadership role for Lomond and Argyll Advocacy Service whilst still taking responsibility for a case load and direct service provision. The postholder takes responsibility for leading a small team of Advocacy workers, suitable to the hours and location of the post. Taking responsibility in conjunction with the Operations Manager, for supervision, case work allocation and prioritisation, leave, sickness absence, health and safety, expenses/ resources and case work, this post offers direct support and leadership to the advocacy workers and volunteers (where applicable).

Post Holder will also deliver high quality advocacy services in addition to their leadership and management role.

Main Responsibilities

• To lead, supervise, direct and support Advocacy Workers and Volunteers. To ensure one to one supervision, staff appraisal, development, training, sickness management, the use of resources and expenses and appropriate practice while supporting Advocacy Workers to provide a high-quality advocacy service.
• To ensure Advocacy Workers are aware of and follow Lomond and Argyll Advocacy Service Policies and Procedures and conform to the tenets of the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance. To conduct return to work interviews and first line grievance, disciplinary or complaint investigation supported by the Operational Manager. To be responsible for the health and safety, work practice and day to day support of a small team of advocacy workers.
• To hold a case load and deliver direct advocacy support to vulnerable adults in their area (and beyond as agreed). This will from the majority of your working time and involve attending case conferences, meeting with individuals. Offering information and seeking their views in order that they are heard.
• You will meet with a range of Health, Social care and other services as part of your role to publicise your role as and advocate, the role of advocacy and to develop networks to support your and your local advocates, networks for individuals .
• To directly support and guide Volunteer Advocates and Advocacy Workers and / or recovery or justice workers or other advocacy workers in their day to day practice and to take responsibility for the relevant areas of the allocation and priority system, recording of case notes, diary management, safe working, practice and quality audits and service evaluation and lone working practices and compliance with LAAS policy and procedure.
• Alongside the Operational Manager and CEO, take forward the recruitment of and co-ordinate, supervise and support the work of volunteer advocates and advocacy workers across Lomond and Argyll Advocacy Service.
• To assist the Operational manager and CEO in the development of practice and policy and the Leadership of Lomond and Argyll Advocacy Service, taking responsibility for or contributing to workstreams, project work, training, preparation of bids or applications for grant funding, presentations to external organisations and forum and collegiate working with other organisations.
• To deputise for the Operational Manager as appropriate and to form positive relationships with key stakeholders and external partners, dealing with enquiries, complaints and raising issues as appropriate.
• To contribute to the development of funding and service applications and to ensure the delivery of services which comply with the terms of our funding
• To raise awareness of independent advocacy and promote the use of advocacy services among service users, carers and statutory, voluntary and community groups through the provision of information, presentations and publications and other media and mechanisms.
• To implement and monitor the performance and quality measures agreed by the organisation and ensure that high standards are maintained.
• To ensure that accurate and confidential records are maintained in line with the policies and procedures set out by the organisation.
• To identify training needs and assist in the development, arrangement and deliver of appropriate training courses.
• To undertake direct advocacy casework, often more complex cases, on a day to day basis across any client group.
• To participate in and on occasion lead staff meetings and other meetings as required.
• To offer support, guidance and leadership to staff across the organisation including in the absence of colleagues/ allocated line manager
• To attend and participate in or develop and provide training sessions as required.
• Any other tasks consistent with the remit of the post.

Flexible hours to be worked between 9-5 Monday to Friday. Ability to work from home within area however the ability to travel in the locality is essential.

Are you interested in travel health medicine? Are you looking for an opportunity to use your skills in a friendly small team environment, where you can give more time to each individual client? Would you like to join Scotland’s leading provider of medical, psychological and travel health support and contribute to the preventative health care of those committed to making a positive difference in the world and travelling overseas for work or leisure?

If so, this may be an ideal opportunity for you!

We’re looking to grow our travel clinic team and are open to applications from candidates interested to work a regular day per week (ideally 7.5 hours per week, to be worked Fridays), or candidates who are available to provide occasional cover on a sessional (no fixed hours) basis.

About HealthLink360

Founded in 1983, HealthLink360 is a Scottish charity and Scotland’s leading provider of medical, psychological and travel health support to mission and aid agency workers and volunteers who undertake overseas work in challenging and often hostile environments; as well as those who work within the UK. Delivered with care and empathy, we provide health and resilience support at every stage of an individual’s mission, journey or assignment and our vision is for a flourishing and effective global caring community who are making a positive difference in the world.

Complementing our medical and psychological services, our travel clinic is based at Carberry near Edinburgh and is open 3 days per week (currently Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday). Regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland, we provide individual tailored travel health consultations, travel health advice and vaccinations to clients travelling for both work and leisure. Our clients consist of mission and humanitarian agencies and their personnel, GAP year organisations, those in church leadership, families, young people as well as members of the general public.

You can read more about us on our website at healthlink360.org

About the role

We are looking for a registered nurse or pharmacist to join our team. The role, which is based in our Carberry travel clinic will see you meeting with clients to provide comprehensive travel health consultations contextualised to their needs and travel plans. You will provide them with the necessary information to enable them to make an informed decision regarding travel health treatments and preventative measures. You’ll deliver risk assessment information,and will issue vaccinations and appropriate medications following agreed protocols, patient group or patient specific directions. You will maintain clear and accurate clinical records according to written protocols. Reporting to the Medical Lead, you will increase learning and expertise within the field through a range of learning activities and opportunities and will contribute to HealthLink360’s continued good practice across all aspects of our travel clinic, including pharmacy compliance, vaccines management.

Authorised to practise in the UK, as either a Registered Nurse with current NMC registration or as a Pharmacist with current GPhC registration, you will bring relevant experience to support your interest in travel health medicine.

A job description and person specification are available via: healthlink360.org/vacancies

Why work at HealthLink360?

• We offer a friendly working environment, a competitive level of pay (from circa £35,000 full time equivalent according to skills and experience) and an interesting and varied role.
• As necessary, we’ll ask you to complete a Travel Health Education training via TREC (funded by us) prior to starting the role.
• You’ll join a small but dedicated team and a not for profit organisation with a clear ethos and over 40 years’ experience.
• We are situated in the beautiful grounds of Carberry Tower just outside Musselburgh, Edinburgh (so own transport is necessary).

Aberlour Options Lothian, Prestonpans

Aberlour Options Lothian offers a range of short break services to children and young people with complex needs. We offer a safe, homely environment for a child to come and stay for a short break that gives their families a rest from their caring role. During that break, children enjoy a range of fun activities and experiences with our staff. Our service is very much a ‘home from home’ for the children who stay with us. We are within easy commuting distance of Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian with access via the number 26, 111 and 124 bus routes.

The difference we make to families:

“It’s not easy to accept that sometimes you need help. We had reached rock bottom but Aberlour Options Lothian was that lifesaving buoyancy aid.

It wasn't easy accepting leaving my son there especially in the early days when it was new to everyone. It is a safe and welcoming place and a second home in many respects now. Somewhere he is safe, cared for and has loads of fun with the carers and other children.

It’s not just about respite; we have received help with managing behaviour, preparing for hospital visits and operations. Help and advice when there seemed to be no one else listening or who understands. It’s hard to look back to where we were but no we wouldn't be here today without their help and support.

To sum it up: Saved our lives. Peace of mind. Finally a rest.”

What we are looking for....

As part of a small team, you will ensure that the highest level of physical and emotional care is provided to the children and young people. Experience in this type of work is preferred however we will consider all applications. The requirement is to work mainly weekends with occasional week nights, depending on the needs of our young people. Weekends can include sleepovers and wakened night shifts.

At Aberlour we want to make sure every child and young person has the love, support and opportunity they need to reach their potential. If you share the same vision, we want you to join our team. At Aberlour we have strong values - Respect, Integrity, Innovation and Challenging - which influence our everyday work. If you choose to apply for this role please tell us about your values in your supporting statement.

What we offer...

As well as a supportive team and excellent training opportunities, we want all our employees to feel valued and rewarded for the vital work they do.