At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people facing challenges to achieve independence and personal goals.
- Company: Join LinkLiving, a compassionate charity dedicated to empowering young people.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 35 days holiday, and access to professional development.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a supportive team environment await you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: No formal qualifications needed; just a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 18900 - 23100 £ per year.
Location: This post is based at LinkLiving's Edinburgh office.
Hours of Work: 37.5 per week (Working flexibly to meet the needs of the service, mainly Monday to Friday 9-5 with occasional evening and weekend working).
We are looking for motivated and compassionate individuals who can work well independently in a fast-paced environment to join LinkLiving as a Support Worker within our Edinburgh Young Persons' Service.
The Job:
- Support young people aged 16 to 25 who are affected by homelessness, trauma, or other life challenges.
- Manage your own caseload and work flexibly to meet the needs of each individual.
- Using a person-centred and trauma-informed approach, build positive relationships with young people and provide practical, emotional and social support.
- Help 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.
- Work closely with other professionals involved in their lives.
- Recognise 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?
- 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!
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. Please notify our recruitment team at jobs@linkhaltd.co.uk if you would like help accessing the job information, need the application details in a different format, or require any adjustments to the application process to support any disabilities or different needs you may have. 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 are wheelchair accessible, with step-free access. If you have any specific access requirements, please let us know and we will be happy to support. As a Disability Confident Leader, we will interview all disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria.
Support Worker (Edinburgh Young Persons’ Service) - 483602 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 (Edinburgh Young Persons’ Service) - 483602
✨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 (Edinburgh Young Persons’ Service) - 483602
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.
