At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead training and coaching to enhance staff skills in supporting individuals with complex needs.
- Company: Join Ark, a leader in supporting people with learning disabilities and mental health challenges.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, flexible hours, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel across Scotland and a focus on continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in support roles, strong coaching abilities, and excellent interpersonal skills.
The predicted salary is between 35772 - 35772 £ per year.
Work Location: Hybrid - Lochside House
Hours: 37 hours per week
Salary: £35,772.53 per annum
Ark has been successfully supporting people with Learning Disabilities, Autism, Mental Health, and Complex Support needs to live good lives and make their home in their communities for 49 years. Providing over 16,000 hours of support a week, we currently support over 400 people across Scotland in 12 Local Authority areas. Ark has a long history of supporting people using Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) approaches.
We are building on this by strengthening how we develop staff knowledge, skills and confidence by placing Capable Environments, Practice Leadership and PBS at the heart of service delivery. We have an exciting opportunity to join Ark's Practice Development Team as a Practice Leader. Reporting to the Practice Development Manager, Practice Leaders promote a learning culture within our services through the delivery of training in Capable Environments, Practice Leadership and PBS.
They help staff translate this learning into practice through hands-on coaching and mentoring while supporting managers to enhance their own skills in practice leadership. The team has national reach across Ark's services in Scotland and this role will mainly be based within our services, where you will spend dedicated time with staff and supported people.
Alongside coaching and mentoring staff, you will lead face-to-face practice workshops to share evidence-based approaches as well as being involved in supporting the wider induction of new Support Practitioners at an organisational level. There is a real emphasis on regularly reviewing, adapting and improving our processes to ensure that Practice Leaders provide the right support to managers, team members and the people we support.
We are committed to the professional development of the successful candidate, providing a structured induction with training as well as dedicated coaching and mentoring in a supportive learning environment. This role offers an excellent opportunity for those who have experience of supporting people with complex support needs and a passion for developing others.
Whether your background is in providing direct support, operational management, training or practice development, you will be confident building relationships, coaching individuals and teams as well as driving practice improvement.
The ideal candidate will have:
- Experience of working with people who have a wide range of support needs and personal goals in a person-centred way.
- Experience of working with people who have experienced trauma and may have been marginalised as well as with people who have displayed behaviours of concern, supporting them in an empathetic way that improves their quality of life.
- Experience of taking a lead role within a team to develop practice and team culture.
- Demonstratable experience of applying evidence and knowledge to decision making processes.
- Strong report writing skills.
- Demonstratable experience that shows the ability to coach and mentor others in order to embed knowledge and best practice.
- Excellent interpersonal skills when communicating with supported people and colleagues at all levels.
- Be able to demonstrate an accomplished level of skill used when directly supporting people.
- Willingness to travel to Ark's Services throughout Scotland.
Please note this post will include travel across Ark services and while there will be some hybrid working flexibility within the role the majority of your working week you will be working within Ark's services across Scotland.
Why Ark?
Hybrid Working: While mainly based in Ark's services across Scotland there will be some flexibility for Hybrid working.
Flexible Working Times: Not a 9am - 5pm person? Ark allows you to flex your start.
Practice Leader in Fife employer: ARK Housing Association
At Ark, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of our staff. With a hybrid working model based in the vibrant city of Edinburgh, we offer a supportive work culture that fosters inclusivity and personal growth, alongside a competitive salary and benefits package. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the housing and social care sector while enjoying a healthy work-life balance with our innovative 4-day working week.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Practice Leader in Fife
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at ARK Housing Association.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from ARK Housing Association!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like ARK Housing Association, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at ARK Housing Association or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Practice Leader in Fife
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to ARK Housing Association:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to ARK Housing Association! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at ARK Housing Association
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
