Partners in Advocacy has been delivering independent advocacy services since 1998 and is recognised as an established provider across Scotland.

We are pleased to offer an opportunity to join our East Lothian service as an Independent Advocacy Worker. In this role, you will provide one-to-one independent advocacy to individuals aged 16 and over with learning disabilities and/or autism. You will also contribute to existing collective advocacy projects within East Lothian and support the development of new groups where need is identified.

As an Independent Advocacy Worker, you will support individuals to express their views, understand their rights, explore options and participate in decisions that affect their lives. The role includes working closely with the Service Coordinator to maintain accurate quarterly statistics and contribute to the production of service reports.

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.

The Equality Network works for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, ace and intersex (LGBTQIA+) equality and human rights in Scotland. We strive to be inclusive and open in our work, to challenge discrimination and to consult, involve and inform the individuals and the communities for which we work.

The Equality Network was founded in 1997 as a national organisation working for LGBT rights and equality in Scotland. We are a registered charity governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees. Scottish Trans Alliance has been an Equality Network project since 2007. Scottish Trans works to improve gender identity and gender reassignment equality, rights and inclusion in Scotland.

Partnership is a key part of our approach, and much of what we do involves working in partnership with diverse LGBTQIA+ people, other LGBTQIA+ organisations, and with organisations working in the wider equality and human rights field.

In 2026 we launched our new 3-year Strategy which addresses the current context in which we are working. With increasing risk to LGBTQIA+ protections, inclusion and equality and human rights realisation our work is more important now than ever. There are strategies working counter to our hope for a more inclusive Scotland, ones that sow division. We recognise that collaboration, partnership and coalition building is crucial. Our new strategy lays out how we will move forward, work together to push back, sustain and protect what we have already achieved, and together move towards progressive and meaningful change. You can read that here: Equality Network Strategy 2026-2029

THE ROLE

Working in cooperation with our policy team, comms team, community engagement teams and the Scottish Trans Manager and CEO, the Strategic Partnership and Campaigns Coordinator supports the development and delivery of the Equality Network’s work to improve LGBTQIA+ equality, rights and inclusion in Scotland.

The role’s primary purpose is to build strategic and accessible campaigns and relationships particularly around trans rights. This means that the post-holder will work closely with the Scottish Trans Manager.

The role will involve working with partners, the community, and with those who have influence (including the media) in Scotland and where necessary wider in the UK and internationally where expertise is needed on trans equality and human rights issues and priorities. The aim is to build partnerships and coalitions, change hearts and minds, and to collectively push for progressive change for marginalised LGBTQIA+ people, particularly trans people. This will also involve working with teams and partners on how these campaigns for progressive change can contribute to bettering narratives, particularly around trans people’s equality and human rights.

Our new strategy highlights the vital nature of partnerships in the face of a shared threat. Our partners include all other organisations which provide and advocate for our community as equalities and rights-holders, both those explicitly working for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community and those who provide and advocate for other marginalised communities, intersectional communities or on issues relevant and pertinent to our community and their lives.

Our key aim with this role is to build effective coalitions in Scotland and to connect with intersecting campaigns to maximise impact.

This new role will work alongside our senior management team and across partner sectors to strategise and push back against current exclusionary policy and harmful narratives around trans people’s human rights.

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.