At a Glance
- Tasks: Support suicide prevention initiatives and promote compassionate mental health practices across Scotland.
- Company: Change Mental Health, a leading charity dedicated to improving mental health support.
- Benefits: Meaningful work, collaborative environment, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Join a small, dynamic team focused on impactful change and community collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and help reduce suicide rates in Scotland.
- Qualifications: Passion for mental health, strong communication skills, and a desire to support vulnerable communities.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Change Mental Health is a leading national mental health charity providing unique support to people with severe and enduring mental ill health. With over 50 years’ experience across Scotland, we believe people affected by poor mental health and illness deserve the highest quality of support in the community and that every person has the right to be valued and to share in the opportunities, challenges, and joys of everyday life.
Creating Hope Together is Scotland's suicide prevention strategy and action plan (2022–2032), published by the Scottish Government and COSLA. Its vision is to reduce the number of suicide deaths in Scotland while tackling the inequalities that contribute to suicide, so that any child, young person or adult who has thoughts of taking their own life, or who is affected by suicide, gets the help they need and feels a sense of hope.
All of the work is delivered in line with the strategy's guiding principles: putting inequalities and diversity first; co‑developing our work with people with lived and living experience; embedding Time, Space, Compassion; keeping the voices of children and young people central; connecting people across sectors to learn together; reducing the stigma of suicide; and ensuring our work is evidence‑informed.
The role is a new position hosted by Change Mental Health on behalf of Suicide Prevention Scotland, created to support delivery of Outcome 3 of Creating Hope Together: ensuring that everyone affected by suicide can access high‑quality, compassionate, appropriate and timely support.
The postholder will work alongside colleagues in the delivery collective – primarily the Time Space Compassion (TSC) Lead and the Children and Young People (CYP) Lead – to support delivery of a range of actions across the Delivery Plan. In practice this means helping partners in community, primary care, unscheduled care and mental health settings to put person‑centred, compassionate approaches into everyday practice; growing the reach of Time, Space, Compassion across Scotland; and strengthening support for children and young people at higher risk of suicide.
The role focuses on enabling practical change in real‑world settings through strong partnerships, effective communication, and the thoughtful use of learning and evidence to support continuous improvement. It sits within a small, collaborative team and works across a wide network of national and local partners, including NHS Boards, local authorities, third sector organisations, the Lived and Living Experience Panel (LLEP) and the Youth Advisory Group (YAG).
Suicide Prevention Officer (Creating Hope Together) employer: Change Mental Health
Change Mental Health is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and compassionate work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. As a leading national mental health charity based in Scotland, we offer unique opportunities to make a meaningful impact in the community while collaborating with diverse partners, ensuring that our team members are empowered to drive positive change in mental health care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Suicide Prevention Officer (Creating Hope Together)
✨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 Change Mental Health.
✨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 Change Mental Health!
✨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 Change Mental Health, 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 Change Mental Health 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 Suicide Prevention Officer (Creating Hope Together)
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 Change Mental Health:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Change Mental Health! 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 Change Mental Health
✨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.
