Assistant Service Manager

Assistant Service Manager – Borders Independent Advocacy Service

Location: Galashiels / Scottish Borders (with travel across the region)

Hours: 30 hours per week (flexible working required)

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £33,452 – £35,997 per annum (pro rata)

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.

How to Apply

For information on independent advocacy please see the SIAA website: https://www.siaa.org.uk/what-is-independent-advocacy/

To arrange an informal conversation about the post, please contact Alicja Piliszczuk, Chief Executive Officer at: recruitment@bordersadvocacy.org.uk

Please note that we cannot accept CVs.

Closing date for completed applications: Monday 9th of March 2026 by 10am.

Interviews will be held in person at The Hive, Low Buckholmside, Galashiels, TD1 1RT and likely to take place throughout the week commencing Monday 16th of March 2026