Advocacy and Participation Worker

South Lanarkshire

9–12-month maternity cover contract

£24,147 – £30,184 per annum (pro rata)

Some evening/weekend work required

Who Cares? Scotland is Scotland’s only national independent membership organisation for Care Experienced people. Our mission is to secure a lifetime of equality, respect, and love for Care Experienced people in Scotland and we currently have over 3500 Care Experienced members.

At the heart of Who Cares? Scotland’s work are the rights of Care Experienced people, and the power of their voices to bring about positive change. We provide individual lifelong relationship-based independent advocacy and a broad range of imaginative participatory and engagement opportunities for Care Experienced people across Scotland. We work alongside Corporate Parents and communities to broaden understanding and create change. We work with policy makers, leaders, and elected representatives locally and nationally to shape law, policy, and practice, working together to build on the aspirations of The Promise and secure positive change.

This unique role offers the opportunity to listen to and work directly with children and young people with experience of care, in an individual relationship-based advocacy role, and within participation and group activity across South Lanarkshire.

The post-holder will be a key member of the Advocacy and Participation team, supporting young people from across South Lanarkshire to ensure their rights are upheld and their voices are heard. These roles offer 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. You will actively participate in child plan meetings, children’s hearings, and other formal processes, as well as assisting children and young people to prepare for them. In partnership with other 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 Who Cares? Scotland, these roles include facilitating group opportunities for and with children and young people across South Lanarkshire. This includes providing engagement and participation opportunities throughout the Who Cares? Scotland 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 Who Cares? Scotland and its services with children, young people, professionals, and carers you will also be responsible for facilitating training amongst corporate parents.

The right candidates for these posts will be able to form positive relationships with children and young people and have good interpersonal skills which demonstrate compassion, empathy and understanding for lived experience. You will be confident communicating with individuals and groups, both in written and verbal format, with the ability to adapt to a wide range of contexts. You will work autonomously, prioritizing and managing your own diary to meet organisational and young people’s needs. You will be able to evidence your work and keep accurate records of advocacy interventions taken. You will take enjoyment from working collaboratively with partners, believing in equal opportunities and inclusive working.

Committed to children’s rights, you know that all young people can make transformative change happen in their lives if given the opportunity. You will demonstrate knowledge of the current structure, developments, policy, and practice in relation to children and young people experiencing care in Scotland. Flexibility is a must, and some evening and weekend work, including occasional overnights, may be required, along with a full driving licence and access to transport.

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 candidates will be joining Who Cares? Scotland and working within the South Lanarkshire team 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 role sounds like the opportunity for you, we would love to hear from you.

Closing date for applications is Wednesday 19th June.

Interview date to be confirmed.