At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals facing mental health challenges to live their best lives.
- Company: Join LinkLiving, a compassionate Scottish charity dedicated to wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy 35 days holiday, competitive salary, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed; just a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 25608 - 31298 £ per year.
1x Permanent post and 1x Fixed Term for 10 months (Maternity cover) post.
Location: This post is based at LinkLiving's Edinburgh office (Office location will be changing in 2027 to Leith area).
Hours of Work: 37.5 per week (Monday to Friday with weekend and evening work on a rotational basis).
Are you passionate about helping people to live a better life? Do you want to work for a charity where your health and wellbeing matter just as much as the people you support? Do you want to be part of a trauma-informed team where you will be supported to develop creative and flexible ways of working? You don't need previous experience or qualifications in this field. If you share our values and have a genuine commitment to supporting people, this could be the role for you.
At LinkLiving, our values and people are at the heart of everything we do:
- Empathy (listen to and understand an individual's needs and circumstances)
- Respect (treat others the way they wish to be treated)
- Integrity (be honest and have strong moral principles)
- Caring (show kindness and concern for others)
We are proud of the positive culture within our Edinburgh Mental Health Services, recently recognised during a Care Inspection, where inspectors noted that staff worked extremely well together within a culture of exceptionally strong values, compassion and respect. We are looking for people who can contribute to that culture by building positive relationships, working collaboratively with colleagues, and treating everyone with dignity, empathy and respect.
LinkLiving is a Scottish health and wellbeing charity that supports people to manage or overcome the effects of negative life experiences (including trauma, mental health challenges, poverty and inequality) so that they can build on their strengths and aspirations in order to live their best possible lives. We support people through a range of models including:
- Personal development and employability programmes
- Self-help coaching
- Supported accommodation
- Care at home
- Housing support
- Befriending
- Social cafes
About the Service: Our Edinburgh Mental Health Services are made up of three housing support teams who provide visiting support across Edinburgh to people experiencing mental ill health. The service also includes a Core and Cluster accommodation service, providing more intensive, accommodation-based support to people with complex needs, including those who have spent time in long-term hospital care. Across all parts of the service, our support enables people to live as independently as possible, maintain their tenancy and accommodation, improve their mental and physical wellbeing, and work towards the life they want for themselves.
The Job: We have an exciting opportunity for ambitious and motivated Support Workers to join our Edinburgh Mental Health Services and make a positive difference in the lives of the people we support. In this role, you will be supported to work in a person-centred and trauma-informed way, building effective relationships with people affected by a range of mental health challenges. You will support people through difficult periods in their lives, helping them build resilience, develop skills and confidence, and work towards recovery and a good life. Depending on your role within the service, you may provide support through our visiting housing support teams or within our Core and Cluster accommodation service. You will provide emotional, practical and social support that promotes independence, wellbeing and informed choice in all aspects of daily life. This role involves the administration of medication for some of the people we support. Full training will be provided.
What's in it for you? The benefits of being a LinkLiving employee (subject to the policies and benefit terms and conditions) include:
- Competitive salary, reviewed annually, and opportunity for annual performance related salary increases and discretionary non-consolidated pay awards, subject to terms of the scheme
- 35 days' holiday per year (inclusive of public holidays) pro rata plus additional 3 days pro rata after 3 years' service
- Opportunity to buy and sell holiday
- Enhanced company sick and family friendly pay
- Access to paid SVQ qualifications and a wide range of learning and development opportunities
- Funded Disclosure Scotland and Scottish Social Services Council memberships
- Defined contribution pension scheme with generous employer contributions plus salary exchange and additional voluntary contribution options
- Access to a Salary Exchange car leasing scheme, subject to the terms of the scheme
- Life assurance scheme providing death in service benefits
- Healthcare cash plan for employees (and dependents) to support health and wellbeing plus discounts on shopping, restaurants, and other services
- Employee assistance programme for employees and their immediate household dependants to support health, mental and financial well-being
- Access to purchase annual corporate clothing vouchers
- Annual flu vaccination
- Access to a credit union savings and borrowing scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
For a full list of benefits available to employees, please see the following link - https://www.linkliving.org.uk/work-with-us
Successful applicants will be required to apply for registration with SSSC within 3 months of their start date and be registered within 6 months. This role is subject to PVG membership under the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020. Individuals who are barred from working with children or protected adults will not be considered for this position. Link will meet the cost of any new PVG scheme membership or membership update.
Further Information: Interested? If you have any questions about the role, please email jobs@linkhaltd.co.uk and we can arrange for someone from the service to call you for an informal chat. To find out more about what LinkLiving do and to view the generous pay and benefits package, please visit our website at https://www.linkliving.org.uk
Closing Date: 23:59 on Sunday 15 November 2026
Interview Date: Interviews are being held on Monday 23 November 2026 at our office in Edinburgh.
We aim at all times to recruit the person who is most suited to the job and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion. Our interview locations have step free or level access therefore may be accessible to applicants using mobility equipment such as wheelchairs and walking equipment however, if you have any specific access requirements, please let us know and we will be happy to provide more information and/or support. As a Disability Confident Leader, we will interview all disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria.
Support Worker (Edinburgh Mental Health Services) - 495262 employer: LinkLiving Limited
LinkLiving Limited is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional development of its staff. With a supportive work culture centred around collaboration and community impact, employees benefit from flexible working hours and opportunities for growth within the mental health sector. Located in Stepps, the company offers a unique chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with complex needs in North Lanarkshire and Falkirk.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker (Edinburgh Mental Health Services) - 495262
✨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 LinkLiving Limited.
✨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 LinkLiving Limited!
✨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 LinkLiving Limited, 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 LinkLiving Limited 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 Support Worker (Edinburgh Mental Health Services) - 495262
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 LinkLiving Limited:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to LinkLiving Limited! 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 LinkLiving Limited
✨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.
