SIAA E-Bulletin - Friday 12th June
The Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA) weekly e-bulletin
This week’s bulletin contains general news, events, a consultation and recruitment.
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GENERAL NEWS
Carers Scotland
Carers Scotland is calling for a radical overhaul of the benefits and care system to prevent carers reaching breaking point in the light of new research published by the Carers Week consortium. The research found that almost three-quarters (74%) of people providing unpaid care for a loved one who is ill, frail or disabled have reached breaking point due to the pressures of their caring role. The results show that the strain of caring is causing carers such extreme levels of stress and depression that they are suffering breakdowns and, in some cases, even attempting suicide. To read the full article please click here.
Sexual Offences Bill passed
On 10th June 2009 the Scottish Parliament passed the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill. The bill overhauls Scotland’s sexual offences law, and removes all the remaining discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill does not make major changes to what is illegal or legal, but it does restructure the law and introduce a clear definition of consent, which hopefully will help lead to more convictions of those who commit rape and sexual assault. The new bill will go to the Queen for Royal Assent in July, and will become the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009. It is likely to come into effect later this year.
EVENTS
Supporting People with Learning Disability & Dementia
The Dementia Services and Development Centre are holding a ½ day seminar in collaboration with Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability. The event will take place on Tuesday 16th June 09 at the Iris Murdoch Building at the University of Stirling. The event is aimed at managers, team leaders and support workers who support people with a learning disability in care settings. The cost is £60 per delegate and to book a place please click here.
Deaf Action BSL Courses
The new programme of BSL courses will be starting at Deaf Action at the end of August. They are SQA Introduction to British Sign Language, SQA British Sign Language 1 and SQA British Sign Language 2. If you would like to apply for a place on any of these courses please check Deaf Action’s website.
Free Seminar: Introduction to Online Fundraising Tools
If you're responsible for online fundraising and looking at new ways to raise money in this harsh economic climate, you should book your place on this free two hour seminar: An Introduction to Online Fundraising Tools on Wednesday 24th June 2009 in Glasgow. Hosted by the charity Glasgow the Caring City, you will receive a talk from Whitebox: the primary partner for this seminar, who’s SCVO endorsed service allows you to raise funds simply by searching the internet. Gordon Nelson of SCVO will introduce Whitebox and highlight SCVO's membership benefits. There will be an open session for questions and review. Free refreshments will be supplied and on street parking is available.
To book your place contact
Pat Mccarvill on mccarvillpat@hotmail.co.uk
or phone 0141 620 3424, mobile: 07950 923418. Spaces are limited. Venue:
Cathcart Old Parish Church Halls, 119 Carmunnock Road, Cathcart, Glasgow, G44 5UW.
The event will run from 10am till 12 noon with networking from 12 noon until
1pm.
Deaf Connections
Deaf Connections would like to invite you to Hear on Advocacy Launch, an advocacy service for hard of hearing and deafened people
This event will be held on Friday 26th June, 10am – 11.30am at The Scottish Youth Theatre, The Old Sheriff Court, 105 Brunswick Street, Glasgow, G1 1TF. To book your place please contact Ann Lafferty on 0141 420 2813 or annfranceslafferty@deafconnections.co.uk. A buffet lunch will be provided.
Refugees, asylum seekers, migrants & EU Nationals - Rights, recognition, Responsibilities & action
Positive Action in Housing is holding a one day course on Wednesday 8th July 2009 from 9.30am – 4pm at PAiH, 98 West George Street, Glasgow. There are fast changing laws/procedures for organisations dealing with EU Nationals (the ‘accession’ countries), refugees, migrants and asylum seekers. Who are they? What is the legislative background? What are the entitlements? What are the needs? How do organisations, including housing organisations, respond to these areas: what should they do? This course is aimed at public and statutory organisations, housing associations and community and voluntary and other organisations. The price is £175 to PAiH members, £220 to non-members and £195 for community and voluntary organisations. To book your place contact zandra@paih.org for a booking form or telephone 0141 353 2220.
Circles Network
Circles Network has pleasure in inviting you to the launch of our new advocacy services in Fife. Depending on your location you can choose to attend one of the following events: June 23 Glenrothes & North East in the Gilvenbank Hotel 12.30pm – 4pm,
June 24 Dunfermline & West in the Carnegie Library 12.30pm – 4pm or June 25 Kircaldy & Levenmouth in the Beveridge Park Hotel 12.30pm – 4pm. The aim of this series of events is to introduce Circles Network, to get to know the people of each area who may be interested in the provision of advocacy for those who have mental health differences or dementia and to consult with you about planning to meet the advocacy needs for individuals and groups under current legislative requirements.
Hospitality will be provided and there will be time for informal networking and conversation as well as consultation. RSVP to fife@circlesnetwork.org.uk.
CONSULTATION
Involving people in the NHS
The Scottish Health Council is working in partnership with Scottish Government and NHS Quality Improvement Scotland to develop a draft standard that will set out what NHS Boards need to do to demonstrate they are involving people in the planning and development of health services and that services are accessible to all and responsive to the diverse needs of individuals. Three open consolation events will be taking place on Tuesday 23rd June, 10.30am – 3pm at the Crowne Plaza, Glasgow, Thursday 25th June, 10.30am – 3pm at the Caledonian Hilton, Edinburgh and on Tuesday 7th July at 10.30am – 3pm at the Hilton Tree Tops, Aberdeen. To book a place please contact Linda Young at linda.young@scottishhealthcouncil.org on by telephone on 0141 225 5557.
RECRUITMENT
Scottish Health Council
The Scottish Health Council have two secondments or fixed term opportunities for Patient Focus Officers.
SHC156 (Advocacy) – You will take an organisational lead in reviewing how NHS Boards assess the need for independent advocacy services within their populations, NHS Boards’ advocacy plans and how local people are involved in relation to these needs assessments and plans. Provide information and support to NHS Boards to improve their approaches in relation to advocacy development and input to national policy on other patient feedback initiatives including NHS Complaints, Independent Advice and Support Services (IASS), the Patient Experience Programme (Better Together) and Patient’s Right. You will provide briefings and guidance to Scottish Health Council staff to ensure that they are alerted to emerging legislation and how this relates to the Scottish Health Council’s role. You will have a strong advocacy background with particular strengths in research, analysis and report writing skills, all of which will assist us in building organisational capacity.
SHC157 (Equalities) – You will take an organisational lead in engaging stakeholders in the development and maintenance of a national framework to involve people from across all equalities strands in national health policy and service developments. Working with key stakeholders across Scotland you will review relevant previous work and design, and lead the development and implementation of a strategy to ensure an inclusive approach is taken to this vital area of public policy. You will work with staff across Scotland to ensure that best practice on equalities is embedded across the organisation. You will have a successful track record in promoting equality & diversity, and will have demonstrable experience of policy development and partnership working. Effective communication skills and capacity to quickly establish credibility are fundamental key attributes. Once more, there will be a strong emphasis on building organisational capacity.
Potential applicants should be aware that the Scottish Health Council is currently undergoing an organisational review which may result in structural change within the next 12 months. For more information about the review, please email Anthony McGowan, HR Advisor via anthony.mcgowan@scottishhealthcouncil.org. For application details please see their website.
Highland Carers Advocacy – Advocacy Caseworkers
Pro rata SJC Scale AP3, Pts 23-26 (£20,388 - £22,371)
Highland Carers Advocacy provides individual advocacy support to carers across Highland through paid advocates and volunteers. They are currently looking for 4 new Advocacy Caseworkers to increase the amount of locally based advocacy available. 1 post will is 10 hours per week (and 3 posts will be 16 hours per week. You will have excellent communication skills with experience (paid or unpaid) of the provision of advocacy, information or advice. Knowledge of the issues affecting carers would be an advantage. The posts will be in their Invergordon office for Easter Ross, and home based for other areas. Access to own transport and the ability to work flexibly is essential. Closing date is noon on Friday the 26th June 2009. Informal enquiries can be made to Anita Evans on 01349 856 776 or 07501 254 035. Application packs available from Peta Gwyther , 01463 723550, Highland Community Care Forum, Highland House, 20 Longman Road, Inverness, IV1 1RY or pgwyther@hccf.org.uk
Advocacy Orkney
Advocacy Orkney are looking for a Children and Young Person Advocate, 10 hours per week, £20,399.00 pro rata (subject to a successful funding application this may increase to 20 hours). To provide Advocacy Services for Children and Young People who are either ‘Looked After’ or in receipt of Mental Health Services. Formal Qualifications are not required, but an understanding of what being looked after and accommodated or being in receipt of Mental Health Services means to children and young people is an essential feature of this post. For an informal discussion regarding this position please contact Frazer Campbell – Co-ordinator or for a copy of the full job description and application form telephone 01856 870111 or contact Job Centre Plus. The closing date is Friday 26th June 2009.
The Ethnic Minorities Law Centre: Solicitor/Caseworker
35 hrs per week -£21,861 - £30,084
A vacancy has arisen for a Scottish qualified Solicitor or experienced Caseworker in EMLC’s branch office in Edinburgh. Two years or more experience preferable. EMLC specialises in the provision of advice and representation in the areas of employment, discrimination, asylum, immigration and British nationality law. Experience in these fields or any other area of social welfare law is essential, as is an interest in the law as it affects members of the ethnic minority communities. Preference will be given to Scottish qualified solicitor with the ability to manage a contentious workload. Interest in the law as it affects ethnic minorities is essential, and due to our client base, understanding of a community culture or language is desirable. For further information and application forms contact the Ethnic Minorities Law Centre, 41 St Vincent Place, Glasgow, G1 2ER Tel: 0141 204 2888, E-mail: admin@emlc.org.uk or check out their website application pack available on ‘downloads/vacancies’ page. The closing date is Friday 10th July 2009.
CONTACT US
Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance, Melrose House, 69a George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2JG. Telephone: 0131 260 5380. Fax: 0131 260 5381. Email: enquiry@siaa.org.uk Website: www.siaa.org.uk
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