Advocacy Worker
Salary £ 25,392
East Lothian
Vacancy listed 09/04/2026
Application deadline 01/05/2026
Details
Role

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

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

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

You will also play a part in identifying opportunities to develop collective advocacy groups, supporting people to come together around shared experiences and priorities.

The role involves travelling throughout East Lothian 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 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 criteria.

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 independently most of the time, managing your own diary and priorities.

  • You’ll need to be comfortable and excellent at working with people with learning disabilities and/or autism, one-to-one and in groups.

  • Your days will vary from supporting someone in a meeting, to travelling across East Lothian, to completing case notes at home. 

  • Some situations can be complex or emotionally demanding, and good boundaries are important.

  • You’ll need to be able to understand and then explain complex information and processes to people with learning disabilities and/or autism, and to help 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 quarterly monitoring reports and anonymised case studies.

You’ll be a good fit if you:

  • Are comfortable working autonomously and managing your own workload.

  • 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 report writing skills.

  • Are confident travelling independently across a semi-rural area. 

  • Value equality, rights, and person-led support.

Application Notes

For more information on independent advocacy, please visit the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance website: https://www.siaa.org.uk/what-is-independent-advocacy/

If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, please review the job description and person specification provided in the downloads.

For an informal chat about the post or any other enquiries, please contact recruitment@pia.scot and a member of the team will get back to you.

Please note that we cannot accept CVs.

Closing date for applications: Friday, 1 May at 5pm.

Benefits

• Work for a values-driven organisation with a positive culture that supports and empowers its staff
• A varied role working across community and clinical settings throughout East Lothian
• Travel expenses covered
• Hybrid working, primarily home-based, with regular in-person team meetings
• Comprehensive induction, training, and ongoing support
• Generous annual leave and public holiday entitlement (37 days) with incremental increases
• Regular supervision, professional practice and reflective practice sessions
• Core daytime working hours (Monday to Friday – 9 to 5)
• Continuous professional development opportunities
• Access to mental health support, including counselling sessions
• Employer pension contribution

Notes

Please attach the completed Application, Privacy Statement and Equal Opportunities forms when you apply. There is a section at the end where these can be uploaded.

These 3 forms must be completed and attached in order for your application to be submitted.

Attached documents
Title File
Privacy Notice Applicant_Privacy_Notice.docx
Application Form Application_Form.docx
Cover Letter Advocacy_Worker_Cover_Letter.pdf
Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form Equal_Opportunities_Monitoring_Form.docx
Job Description Job_Description_-_Advocacy_Worker.pdf
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