At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with mental health challenges to live independently and improve their wellbeing.
- Company: Join LinkLiving, a compassionate charity dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 35 days holiday, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a commitment to inclusion and diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed; just bring your empathy and passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 26228 - 27104 £ per year.
The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
Job details
- Salary: £26,228 - £27,104 per annum (dependent on skills & experience)
- Contractual hours: 37.5
- Basis: Full Time
- Region: LinkLiving
- Package: Monday to Friday – mainly 9am to 5pm with weekend working, 8am starts and evenings on a rotational basis
- Location: This post is based at LinkLiving’s Edinburgh office.
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 to have previous experience or qualifications in this field. If you share our values, this could be the role for you!
At LinkLiving, our values and people are at the heart of everything we do including how we recruit our staff. It is important for us to find people who share our values, which are:
- 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
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
The Service
Our Edinburgh Mental Health Services is made up of 4 teams of support workers who provide visiting tenancy support across Edinburgh to people experiencing mental ill health. Our support enables the people we work with to live as independently as possible in their own home and improve their mental and physical health.
The Job
We have an exciting opportunity for ambitious and motivated Support Workers to join our team and improve the lives of people supported by our Edinburgh Mental Health Services. In this role, you will be supported to work using a person‑centred and trauma‑informed approach and develop effective relationships with people affected by a range of mental health problems, supporting them to cope in difficult times and working towards recovery and a good life. You will provide emotional, practical and social support to enable people to live as independently as possible and make informed choices in all aspects of their lives. This role involves the administration of medication to some of the individuals we support. Full training will be provided for this.
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
- 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
- Access to a credit union savings and borrowing scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Access to discounts on mobile airtime plans and much more!
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
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. Applications will be evaluated as they are received, with candidates meeting the specifications being invited for interview. 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 employer: LinkLiving
LinkLiving is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional development of its staff. With a strong commitment to fostering a supportive work culture in the heart of Falkirk, employees are encouraged to grow through ongoing training and collaboration. By joining our team, you will not only make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals facing hoarding challenges but also be part of a compassionate community dedicated to positive change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker
✨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.
✨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!
✨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, 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 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
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:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to LinkLiving! 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
✨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.
