Support Worker (Edinburgh Young Persons’ Service)

In this role, you will support young people aged 16 to 25 who are affected by homelessness, trauma, or other life challenges. Some of these young people may face additional difficulties associated with being a New Scot or having a care background. You will manage your own caseload and work flexibly to meet the needs of each individual. Using a person‑centred and trauma‑informed approach, you will build positive relationships with young people and provide practical, emotional and social support to help them move towards greater independence and achieve their personal goals.

Support will include helping young people to find and sustain suitable accommodation, develop everyday living skills, manage challenges in their lives, build confidence, and take positive steps towards a better future, while working closely with other professionals involved in their lives. Young people may be living in temporary accommodation, sofa surfing, in LinkLiving supported flats, be in permanent accommodation, or have no place to stay. You will work flexibly and creatively to meet their individual needs, offering support in a way that recognises each young person’s strengths, aspirations and potential.

We are looking for someone who shares our values of empathy, respect, integrity and caring, and who is passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of young people. Previous experience or formal qualifications are not essential for this role. If you are a good communicator, committed to supporting others, and want to be part of a supportive and trauma‑informed team, we would love to hear from you.

The Service 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. Our Edinburgh Young Persons’ Service provides visiting housing support and supported accommodation for young people aged 16 to 25 across Edinburgh. We are a friendly, supportive team of around 20 people with a wide range of ages and experience, all committed to helping young people achieve their goals.

The role is highly rewarding, but it can also be challenging. You will need to be flexible and confident working one‑to‑one with young people who may find it difficult to trust professionals. No two days are the same, and while you will have the chance to make a real difference, you will also need to work hard to engage the young people on your caseload in the support they need.

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.
• Access to discounts on mobile airtime plans and much more.

For a full list of benefits available to employees, please see the following link – 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.