We are looking to fill one Part-Time post (28 hours a week) to provide independent advocacy across Perth &
Kinross for, children & young people up to the age of 26. This may include children & young people who
are part of the Children’s Hearing Process via Children’s Hearing (Scotland) Act 2011, children & young
people who have social work involvement and children & young people who may be detained under the Mental
Health (Care & Treatment)(Scotland) Act 2003; Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000; or the Adult
Support & Protection (Scotland) Act 2007.
Independent advocacy is about ensuring everyone can access information regarding their human rights, can understand
and access the formal systems within their community, and is supported to have their voice heard within
circumstances that affect their life.
At Independent Advocacy Perth & Kinross (IAPK), our advocates are independent from organisations that provide
services to the people we support. We do not provide any other services other than independent advocacy, and our
advocates have no close ties to family or friends of the individual. This means that we are as free as possible
from conflict of interest and can freely speak up for the person.
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
SIAA.
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 works with Mind and Mission to offer three therapeutic check ins per year for all employees. 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.
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.