At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to provide compassionate support for young people facing homelessness.
- Company: Join Care Support Scotland, a charity transforming lives with over 30 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous leave, and matched pension contributions.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care and a passion for supporting vulnerable individuals.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional development and a supportive team environment.
The predicted salary is between 14 - 14 £ per hour.
We are a charity with decades of experience supporting people across Scotland, providing those who need us with support that ranges from Mental Health, Learning Disability and Neurodiversity, Youth and Adult Homelessness and Older People services. Guided by our values of Respect and Compassion, we empower both the people we support and our colleagues to Thrive every day.
Why work with us?
- Pension contributions matched up to 6%
- Financial Flexibility – Access your wages as you earn them with our Earned Wage Access benefit.
- Employee Assistance Programme through HSF
- Contribution to HSF Health Plan – supporting your everyday health needs
- Generous annual leave – 33 days including public holidays, increasing with service
- Supportive absence policies to help when you need time off
- Death in Benefit Cover – 2x annual salary
- Support with funded qualifications
- Career development and progression opportunities
Who are we looking for?
Are you passionate about supporting people to overcome challenges, build stability, and move towards independent living? Do you have experience in social care and a commitment to equality and inclusion? If so, we want to hear from you.
We’re recruiting a Senior Support Worker to lead frontline delivery of personalised, high-quality, and compassionate support to individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. You’ll be part of a dedicated team delivering tenancy support, housing management assistance, and wellbeing services tailored to individual needs.
About the Service
29 St Andrews Street works with young people aged 16 – 25. The service can support people who have a range of complex needs. Many residents have experienced relationship breakdown and trauma, and some are care-experienced. It is specifically tailored to meet the needs of young people aged 16-25 who are experiencing homelessness. The service is designed around trauma-informed practice, and the staff team works to harm reduction principles. The service has staffing 24/7 to ensure that young people receive support whenever they need it.
Role and Responsibilities
- Apply your knowledge of best practice, codes of practice and current regulations in the social care sector and ensure the provision of a high quality and socially inclusive service
- Manage and co-produce support plans and contribute to support reviews
- Assist Service Managers and Team Leaders with service referrals and staff interviewing & selection procedures
- Take on the role of shift leader in the absence of the Service Manager
- Assist in managing a team of Support Workers by reviewing the delivery of support and ensure staff are following the correct policy and procedures.
Essential Skills and Attributes
- Experience of providing support to people who have experienced homelessness, mental ill health, and drug and alcohol use.
- Experience of working in a fast-paced environment which requires a dynamic approach to problem solving.
- SVQ3 in Social Care or willing to work towards.
- SSSC registered or willing to become so.
- Ability to use empathy and relational skills to build positive relationships within our community and with colleagues.
- An understanding of and ability to work within ethical and relational boundaries.
Desired Skills and Attributes
- Experience of working with a range of agencies as a team
- Networking and skills making meaningful connections
- Awareness around Trauma Informed Practice
- Knowledge and understanding of the causes of homelessness, substance use and mental health including Attachment Theory and Adverse Childhood Experiences.
- Understanding of services that support homelessness, substance use and mental health.
- Experience in line managing a team.
Additional Notes
- Shift work, weekend work may be a requirement of this role.
- PVG scheme membership & SSSC registration are requirements of this post.
- Please note, you will be asked to provide evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK.
- We reserve the right to bring the closing date forward if a suitable candidate is identified.
Applications close on: 8th February 2026
Care Support Scotland is an equal opportunities employer and always welcomes applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy and maternity.
Role Type
Pay Rate: 14.03 GBP – 14.17 GBP (Hour)
At Care Support Scotland, we’re dedicated to making a difference in people’s lives every single day. With over 30 years of experience, we have built a trusted reputation for delivering compassionate, high-quality social care that empowers individuals to live with dignity, independence, and choice. From our base in Edinburgh and the Lothians, we work alongside people from all walks of life—supporting those who need help with housing and homelessness prevention, individuals with learning disabilities and neurodiverse needs, older people requiring care and companionship, and anyone seeking guidance to navigate life’s challenges. Our approach is person-centred: we don’t just provide care, we listen, understand, and tailor our support to each individual’s unique needs and aspirations. By doing so, we ensure that the people we support are not only cared for, but truly valued, respected, and given the opportunity to thrive within their communities.
Senior Support Worker - 29SAS in Dalkeith employer: Caresupport
Contact Detail:
Caresupport Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Support Worker - 29SAS in Dalkeith
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the social care sector, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the charity's values and services. Be ready to share your experiences that align with their mission of compassion and support. Show them you’re not just a fit for the role, but for their team culture too!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to trauma-informed care and supporting vulnerable individuals. Use real-life examples to demonstrate your skills and commitment to making a difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Care Support Scotland.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Support Worker - 29SAS in Dalkeith
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for supporting people shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in the lives of those facing challenges.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in social care, especially with homelessness and mental health. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your skills and commitment to equality and inclusion.
Be Authentic: Don’t be afraid to show your personality! We value authenticity, so share your story and what drives you to work in this field. It helps us get to know the real you.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Caresupport
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key issues surrounding homelessness, mental health, and trauma-informed practice. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by young people aged 16-25, as this will show your genuine interest and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Empathy
During the interview, be ready to share examples of how you've used empathy and relational skills in past roles. This is crucial for a Senior Support Worker, so think of specific situations where you made a positive impact on someone's life.
✨Demonstrate Team Leadership
Since you'll be managing a team of Support Workers, prepare to discuss your experience in line management. Highlight any instances where you successfully led a team, resolved conflicts, or improved service delivery.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions. Inquire about the team dynamics, the support provided for professional development, or how the organisation implements its values of respect and compassion in daily operations. This shows you're engaged and serious about the role.