Join Our Team at Forth Valley Advocacy!

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of vulnerable people? Forth Valley Advocacy, a small but important charity, is dedicated to providing independent advocacy support to adults with mental health issues, older people, and individuals with learning difficulties, along with their relatives and carers.

We are on a mission to ensure every voice is heard, especially those subject to compulsory measures under the mental health act. Our dedicated team of advocacy workers is committed to supporting and empowering those in need across Forth Valley.

We are looking to strengthen our board! If you have experience in mental health, finance, HR, law, or advocacy, or simply a passion for helping others, we would love to hear from you. We are seeking new board members to help guide our charity forward.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a dedicated and experienced team.

• Make a real impact in your community.

• Flexible meeting options: in person and online.

Help us continue our important work and make a difference. Join Forth Valley Advocacy today!

Partners in Advocacy has delivered independent advocacy services since 1998 and is a trusted provider across Scotland.

We are pleased to offer an opportunity to join our Edinburgh service as an Independent Advocacy Worker.

This is a rewarding role in a supportive, experienced team, where you will make a genuine difference by providing one-to-one independent advocacy to people aged 16 and over with learning or physical disabilities, autism, and older people. You will support individuals in having their voices heard, helping them express their views, understand their rights, explore their options, and participate in decisions that affect their lives.

The role involves travelling throughout Edinburgh to meet people in a range of community and clinical settings. Travel expenses are covered, and you will be supported to plan your work in a way that is both effective and sustainable.

Working closely with the Service Coordinator, you will help maintain accurate service data and support the development of quarterly reports, helping demonstrate the impact of advocacy.

This is a role that offers a high degree of autonomy, alongside regular support, supervision, and opportunities to connect with colleagues across the organisation.

We warmly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds.

If your skills and experience align with the job description and person specification, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Please complete the application form, providing examples of how you meet each aspect of the job description and person specification.

Partners in Advocacy is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible working environment.

What the role is really like

• You’ll be working most of the time independently, managing your own diary and priorities
• You’ll need to be confident working with people aged 16 and over with learning or physical disabilities, autism, and older people
• Your days will vary from supporting someone in a meeting, to travelling across Edinburgh, to completing case notes at home
• Some situations are complex or emotionally demanding, so strong boundaries are essential
• You’ll need to be able to understand complex information and processes, translate them to your advocacy partners, helping them to understand their rights and explore their options
• You’ll need to be comfortable making decisions and working proactively, while staying connected to your wider team
• You’ll be speaking to a range of professionals in a range of settings, communicating and amplifying your advocacy partner's opinions and wishes
• You’ll record, track and compile statistical and other information, writing it into tracking spreadsheets, Microsoft Word forms and create anonymised case studies

You’ll be a good fit if you:

• Are comfortable working autonomously and managing your own workload
• Are comfortable with regular travel across Edinburgh as part of your working day
• Can recognise the right times to check in with your line manager
• Have good planning and are punctual
• Can build trust with people and communicate clearly in a range of situations
• Are organised and able to balance direct work and admin responsibilities
• Have good writing and IT skills
• Are confident travelling independently across Edinburgh
• Value equality, rights, and person-led support
• Can research, read and understand complex information, then translate it and explain it in clear terms

To provide high-quality administrative and development support to the organisation, ensuring the effective delivery of advocacy services and events.

This is primarily an administrative and coordination role with some involvement in supporting delivery activities. The post-holder will have direct contact with vulnerable adults and will carry out duties in line with safeguarding requirements, confidentiality, and person-centred practice.

Fauldhouse and Breich Valley Community Development Trust (F&BV CDT) is a locally based charity which (primarily) aims to address poverty and inequality. F&BV CDT is also dedicated to promoting mental health and well-being in our communities. We believe that mental health is essential for overall well-being and strive to create supportive environments for individuals facing mental health challenges.

We own/manage on behalf of the community; two facilities. The Hub and Eastfield Development Centre. The successful candidate will work with the F&BV CDT Team, who operate within both buildings depending on the group or activity being provided.

Overview:

We are seeking a passionate, innovative and committed Development Worker to join our team. This role will focus on implementing programs and initiatives aimed at improving mental health and well-being within the community. The ideal candidate will have experience in mental health support, community development, and a strong understanding of the challenges individuals face.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement (with team and partner support) mental health support programmes, groups, activities and workshops.

• Conduct community outreach to raise awareness about mental health services and resources.

• Collaborate with local groups, organisations and relevant partners

• Provide support, guidance and enhance our referral systems for individuals seeking mental health assistance.

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of programmes and projects and gather feedback for continuous improvement.

• Advocate for mental health and wellbeing initiatives to be based within the local community: encourage and enable the development and the provision of mental health and wellbeing services and resources within the local communities.

• Recruit, induct local volunteers, provide or enable access to training.

Qualifications:

• Experience working in mental health, community development, or related areas.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Knowledge, understanding about the impact of poverty and health inequalities on health and wellbeing

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Knowledge of mental health issues and available resources.

• Passion for supporting individuals in improving their mental well-being.

• Experience of working independently, whilst upholding policies and procedures.

• Lived experience would be an advantage, but it is not essential.

• Full Clean driving licence and access to a vehicle.

• PVG will be required

What We Offer:

• A supportive and inclusive work environment.

• A supportive management team and board of trustees.

• Opportunities for personal and professional development.

• The chance to make a meaningful impact in the community.