Community Support Worker (Scotland) in Edinburgh

RESPONSIBLE TO: Community and Families Manager

HOURS OF WORK: Part-time 28 hours (evening and weekend work will be required)

LOCATION: Hybrid – in person community delivery across Scotland, with requirements to attend office base in Edinburgh and home working possible. (Car driver with access to own transport desirable)

DURATION: Fixed term 24 months (with potential for extension, funding allowing)

SALARY / GRADE: Grade 3 / £24479 per annum fte – pro-rata

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Community and Families Manager
• Head of Community Services and communities team
• Adoption UK Scotland and Kinship service colleagues
• The Adoption and Kinship Community in Scotland
• Local Authorities and external commissioners

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

• To support the community work of Adoption UK Scotland community support services, to plan and deliver community events, provide professionals, parents/carers, children, and young people access to information, resources, and services and to engage with families in their local communities.
• To offer a front-line service, primarily to adoptive and kinship families, and care experienced individuals and young people, by supporting delivery and administration for activities and events, including regular support groups delivery, youth and teens/young adults, and family events. Support of events across Scotland based on resources and availability.
• Support planning, organisation of, and attendance at, in person and online events through funded projects and services to bring together adopted and care-experienced individuals and young people and adoptive and kinship families, enable peer support, build a sense of community and promote an active and supportive Community Network.
• To respond to enquiries received via the Information and Support Service and relevant email inboxes with relevant information and/or signposting.
• To be part of the wider communities within Adoption UK Scotland, working across teams and services.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across all services areas of Adoption UK.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Working alongside service leads within the communities team, and with the wider Adoption UK Scotland team members to plan and deliver specific events and activities for adoptive and kinship community members, and care experienced children and young people via our E Project youth service for children, teens and young adults.
• Provide administrative coordination for community event provision, including collating event materials, gathering feedback and evaluations for reporting purposes, supporting delivery of events, maintaining records using existing required systems, and responding to enquiries via our Information and Support line and relevant email inboxes.
• Working alongside Communications colleagues and across teams to ensure promotion of events to relevant target groups.
• Attending events to promote the wider work of AUK Scotland at conferences or support groups.
• To hold responsibility for administrative requirements relating to community events, including setting up booking pages, sharing information via newsletters and social media, and recording service delivery interactions, using existing Adoption UK systems and processes.
• To work with colleagues in the Foundations for Families kinship support service to support delivery and coordinate activities between services where appropriate.
• To report to line manager and directors in Adoption UK Scotland relating to service delivery, including contributing to monitoring and reporting on activities.
• To work alongside Adoption UK colleagues to develop and improve resources and services for our communities.

CRITERIA EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & KNOWLEDGE

• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the issues and challenges faced by care experienced families. (Essential)
• Experience of engagement and direct work with families and/or young people (Essential)
• Experience of facilitation of in person and online groups (or commitment to learn) and commitment to digital safeguarding (Essential)
• Relevant degree or qualification (e.g. community work, social sciences) or equivalent experience (Desirable)

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Report writing and record keeping (Essential)
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal (Essential)
• Ability to build and maintain relationships (Essential)
• The ability to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) (Essential)

ACCOUNTABILITY

• Liaise with colleagues to share updates and information.
• Report to supervisor and relevant managers and external commissioners on activities.

BEHAVIOURS

• Takes pride in Adoption UK and promotes its values and mission in all interactions with external stakeholders.
• Demonstrates commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of role at all times.
• Follows all policies and procedures relating to risk assessments, safeguarding and youth service delivery.
• Contributes to an open and honest culture.
• Encourages challenge and creativity, transparency and consistency.
• Leads by example.
• Offers outstanding service to members.
• Promotes cross functional team working, sharing skills and knowledge.
• Communicates clearly, seeking clarity when unclear and valuing the opinion of others.
• Treating colleagues and other stakeholders with respect.
• Takes pride in own development, committed to achieving high standards and agreed objectives.