This is a great opportunity to join CAPS’ friendly, supportive Individual Advocacy team to provide Individual Advocacy to adults in East Lothian and Midlothian who are experiencing mental health issues. This post will also provide Individual Advocacy to the LGBTQIA+ community in Edinburgh, alongside our LGBTQIA+ Individual Advocacy service for young people (14-25). CAPS also provides an adult Individual Advocacy service for people who are affected by drugs or alcohol in Midlothian and East Lothian.

The focus of the work is the provision of Independent Advocacy – making sure that people’s views and wishes are heard. You will make sure people are informed about their options and their rights and assist people who have mental health issues to redress power imbalances in their lives and in their interactions with services. Individual Advocacy is very rewarding work that makes a real difference. Full training will be provided.

This post will be subject to membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. There will be a 3 month probationary period attached to this post. A mix of home and office working is possible but face to face working with people is essential.

Due to overwhelming interest, applications will close on 31st July. Applications received after this date cannot be shortlisted.

Job purpose

To contribute to SIAA’s work to promote and protect people’s human rights by strengthening the understanding, practice and impact of independent advocacy in Scotland. The postholder will work on specific policy and advocacy priorities and respond to legislative, policy and practice developments that affect independent advocacy, human rights, and people who rely on independent advocacy.

What is Independent Advocacy

Independent advocacy is about speaking up for, and standing alongside individuals or groups, and not being influenced by the views of others. Fundamentally it is about everyone having the right to a voice addressing barriers and imbalances of power, and ensuring that an individual’s human rights are recognised, respected, and secured.

The Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance

The Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA) is a membership organisation, set up in 2002, to promote, support and advocate for independent advocacy across Scotland. SIAA’s vision is a Scotland where independent advocacy is available to strengthen everyone’s voices. Our aim is to actively influence, support and maintain high quality independent advocacy which uphold people’s human rights. Read more about how SIAA advocates for independent advocacy.

SIAA provides support for SIAA member organisations and groups and raises awareness and understanding of independent advocacy across Scotland. SIAA is funded by the Scottish Government Advocacy, Access and Models of Care Unit.

This is an exciting opportunity for an excellent communicator with experience in collaboration and partnership working who is keen to make good quality income maximisation advice and support accessible to families across Scotland.

As Development Officer (Income Maximisation in Schools) you will play a lead role in looking at the actions needed at different levels to sustainably embed advice in schools across Scotland. You’ll be involving and engaging schools, advice services and other partners to develop practical recommendations which can be used to improve provision nationally. You will also be helping to develop resources and professional learning to increase awareness and confidence in schools around financial entitlements and pathways to income maximisation support.

You will be based within the Cost of the School Day team at CPAG in Scotland and will work closely with Welfare Rights, Digital and Policy colleagues.

We welcome applications from individuals with the skills and experience outlined and we can be flexible about working arrangements. We operate a hybrid working system and would be happy to discuss any flexibilities required. CPAG is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion which you can read more about in the job pack.

At CAP, we celebrate diversity and strive to build an inclusive workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We warmly welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from Global Majority/UK Minority Ethnic candidates, as these groups are currently underrepresented within our wider workforce. We are committed to creating an environment where every individual can thrive and feel they belong.

Everything we do is rooted in our values. First and foremost, we are Christ-centred. The work that we do is guided by faith and the belief that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and God’s love.

We are bold in fearlessly putting that faith into action to help others and challenge injustice, while also seeking to be compassionate in the way that we want to understand others and offer them meaningful care. We are collaborative in our approach, making time to learn from others and work together to take on UK poverty. And finally, we prioritise being joyful in the face of challenges, because our faith gives us confidence that change is truly possible.

Please note this is ideally a full time role, but would consider 4 days per week depending on candidate circumstances- salary would be paid pro rata for part time. Although the role is hybrid, candidates would be required to work from the our Blantyre office one day a week, on Thursdays when we gather as a team.

Job Description

Purpose

As a core member of our Scotland Hub team, you'll be the on-the-ground catalyst for empowering and developing debt centres and coaching services (Job Club, Life Skills and Money Coaching) within an appropriate area of Scotland. You'll serve as the primary contact between churches and our Scotland Hub, providing vital support and driving excellence in services.

Your key focus will be to inspire, equip, and encourage local CAP workers and church leaders, enabling them to effectively address financial vulnerability and crisis within their communities. You'll build and nurture strong relationships with church leaders, debt coaches and group coaches, ensuring high-quality service delivery and impactful outcomes. You will build and develop strong local networks connecting centres and services together in specific Scotland-wide settings including overseeing our growing work in Scottish Prisons.

Passion

Area Partnership Managers will be passionate about developing our relationship with churches and local CAP workers to offer life transforming CAP services to local communities across the UK, whilst giving clients the opportunity to hear and respond to the love of Jesus.

Person

Area Partnership Managers (Scotland) report to the Scotland National Leader. This role sits within the Service Delivery directorate.

This role doesn’t have any CAP staff reporting directly to it. However, this role is responsible for engaging local CAP workers and church leaders in churches, using influence and persuasion rather than position power.

This role specifically focuses on supporting CAP services in Scotland, the exact mix being determined by the make-up of the team. It is expected that the Area Partnership Manager is a hybrid role based out of our Scottish office in Blantyre. This role involves a significant amount of travel to visit partner churches, centres and services across Scotland. In addition there will be termly visits to CAP’s Bradford hub.