Company Description

Action Against Stalking is a charity organisation that provides free professional confidential independent support advocacy for individuals who are experiencing stalking. Founded by Dr. Ann Moulds CBE, AAS shares knowledge and expertise with justice agencies, provides training and CPD to professionals, and influences policy and practice nationally and internationally. See our website actionagainststalking.org for information.

Role Description

This is a non-renumerated Board of Trustees role at Action Against Stalking. The Trustees are responsible for the overall governance, strategic direction, and financial oversight of the charity. The role involves attending board meetings, participating in committee work, contributing to the development and implementation of strategic plans, and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. alongside the chair, CEO and appointed trustees. This is a hybrid role, ideally based in and around Ayrshire, Glasgow, the Lothians and Lanarkshire. Remote work is the norm, with a requirement to attend at least two board meetings per annum, along with the AGM in person

We are seeking individuals with a passion for supporting our charity with our primary focus on victim rights and victim support. We hold relationships with agencies and support partners across Scotland, and the wider national and international communities. We warmly welcome applications from individuals with experience in the criminal justice system, legal practice, or related areas of law.

We actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those with disabilities. We particularly welcome candidates with experience in law, victim advocacy, and the criminal justice sector. We believe that diversity and inclusion strengthen our mission and bring valuable perspectives to our work. We are seeking committed individuals from wide and varied backgrounds to join us.

If you have the skills, and you think you’ve got what it takes, we want to hear from you.

Qualifications

• Experience in governance and strategic leadership
• Appreciation and understanding of the issues surrounding stalking
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work collaboratively, as a team player and make collective decisions
• Financial literacy and experience in financial oversight
• Experience at a senior level with committees and board representation
• Commitment to the mission and values of Action Against Stalking
• Availability to attend board meetings and engage in committee work

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

We are seeking a Service Manager to lead the day-to-day delivery of Borders Independent Advocacy’s services across the Scottish Borders.

You will be a key member of the management team, providing operational leadership and ensuring high-quality, rights-based advocacy services. Working in partnership with professionals, carers and organisations, you will support the best outcomes for people accessing advocacy by ensuring effective systems for referrals, case allocation, recording and monitoring.

You will:

• Provide operational leadership and quality assurance across advocacy services.
• Line manage and support Advocacy Workers and volunteers.
• Ensure safeguarding, contractual and quality standards are met.
• Oversee referrals, case management and performance monitoring systems.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with statutory and third sector agencies.
• Lead service development, reporting and continuous improvement activity.
• Promote awareness of Borders Independent Advocacy Service and its services locally and nationally.

This role will include a particular responsibility for ensuring the effective delivery of advocacy for children and young people up to age 25.

About You

You will be an experienced, values-driven manager who can lead teams and services with confidence and compassion.

You will have:

• Experience managing or coordinating advocacy or related services (e.g. children’s services, social care, youth work, substance use or third sector services).
• Strong knowledge of human rights and safeguarding legislation.
• Proven experience supervising staff and volunteers.
• Excellent organisational, communication and partnership-working skills.
• Confidence working in multi-agency environments.
• A commitment to equality, inclusion and participation.
• A full driving licence and access to a car.
• Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends when required.

You will be committed to children’s rights and believe that all young people can make positive and transformative change when given the opportunity. You will demonstrate knowledge of current structures, developments, policy and practice relating to children and young people experiencing care in Scotland.

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:

• 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.

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.

Partners in Advocacy has established itself as one of Scotland's leading providers of independent advocacy, delivering exceptional advocacy services since 1998.

We are thrilled to present a wonderful opportunity within our supportive and welcoming Highland team. As a Service Co-ordinator you will work alongside and supervise an Advocacy Worker colleague whilst also providing one-to-one independent advocacy to children and young people up to the age of 16 who live in the Highland Council area and who have lived/living experience of substance use (drugs and/or alcohol) – their own or those close to them. 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.

Please note that although this post is advertised as working from home, a significant amount of travel around the Highlands is anticipated, and the expectation is that applicants will live within the Highland Council area.

Applicants should also hold a current driving licence and have access to a roadworthy vehicle for work use.

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.

Partners in Advocacy takes pride in being a Disability Confident Employer, fully committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment.