At a Glance
- Tasks: Support women experiencing homelessness with compassion and practical assistance.
- Company: Join Simon Community Scotland, the largest provider of homelessness services in Scotland.
- Benefits: Flexible shifts, supportive team environment, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dedicated team committed to empowering individuals towards independence.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Passion for helping others and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 28000 £ per year.
About Simon Community Scotland
Simon Community Scotland is the largest provider of homelessness services in Scotland. Our vision is for everyone to have a safe place to live, with access to the support they need. Every day we help make positive things happen for people facing extremely difficult circumstances. Everything we do is about and for people, the people we support, our staff, our partners and everyone affected by homelessness. Our values are built into every area of activity and tell the story of how people remain at the heart of Simon Community.
Day by day, person-to-person, we tailor what we offer to what people need. We are here to provide consistent, friendly and informed support so that people can explore options and take "the next step" towards a positive future. We offer support across a range of service delivery points; Street Outreach teams, Housing First initiatives, Floating Support, Information Hubs, Managed Alcohol Program (MAP), Supported Accommodations, Emergency Accommodation, Rapid Access Accommodation, and our own rented properties. These services are delivered across many local authorities within Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, Edinburgh and Perth.
We welcome people with a wide range of skills and experiences to our team. To make a difference, we need to work flexibly, with everyday leadership and a 'can-do' approach. We want to make it right and make it happen - not only for the people we support, but also for each other. Our #OneTeam ethos is core to who we are, and it means caring for and supporting each other regardless of our role, service or location.
Our Support Services Job Purpose
The Support Worker role is to support and engage with people to manage and recover their mental health, in line with our trauma-informed approach. You will help people with safer substance use and assist them with the process when they choose to stop. You will assist our people to build a positive network of connections to enable them to gain and sustain their own housing.
As a Support Worker, you will provide work alongside people impacted by homelessness, addiction, mental health challenges and trauma. You will provide guidance and assistance to the people we support to achieve their goals of securing safe housing and accessing the necessary support to feel secure, manage their challenges and live an independent life free from harm or abuse.
The Women's Homelessness Accommodation Support Worker provides safe, compassionate, and trauma-informed support to women experiencing homelessness. Working within a psychologically informed environment (PIE), the role focuses on building trust, promoting stability, and supporting women to move towards greater independence, safety, and wellbeing.
This is a frontline role within a 24/7 accommodation service, requiring flexibility, emotional intelligence, and a strong commitment to women-centred, strengths-based practice. This is a hands-on role that requires compassion, patience, and the ability to stay calm in difficult situations. Shift patterns are: Day, Mid, Late, Sleepover (emergency accommodation only) and night shift. Our shift patterns vary from service to service and some services have an element of lone working throughout the shifts.
This is a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010, as the role involves providing personal and emotional support to women who have experienced trauma, violence, and homelessness, within a women-only accommodation service.
Job Summary
You will be passionate about supporting and changing expectations and experiences of people we support, many of whom have experienced significant trauma, exclusion and stigma. As a Support Worker in homelessness services, you'll be instrumental in empowering individuals affected by homelessness, addiction, challenging mental health and trauma. You'll provide compassionate, person-centred support, guiding them towards securing safe and stable housing and developing tools to manage their challenges.
Your role is vital in helping people access essential resources, build resilience, and ultimately live a life free from harm and abuse. As part of our Team, you will be at the forefront of supporting people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. You will work collaboratively with partner agencies in a supportive environment.
The role involves providing both practical and emotional support, helping individuals to secure accommodation, access benefits, and connect with a wide range of health, wellbeing, and advocacy services. Our team builds strong professional relationships with local authorities, support providers, and other external partners to ensure our support is coordinated and effective.
You will adopt a harm reduction approach, providing advice and Naloxone trained as needed.
Key Responsibilities
- Developing honest and open relationships with our community that foster trust.
- Exercise our training and reflective practices to develop additional skills to support and respond appropriately to our community who have experienced trauma.
- Working with people with a wide range of experiences and cultural backgrounds with dignity, respect and kindness.
- Work as part of a team with a range of experiences and knowledge to the benefit of our community.
- Supporting our community to influence their care and support to meet their goals.
- Provide emotional and practical support as required.
- Fostering connection, hope, and a positive identity and meaning in life and a sense of control for our community.
- Working with other teams in SCS and with partners to support good outcomes for our community.
- Seeking opportunities that will make a difference to our community.
- Any other duties directed by the Service Lead.
Our Values
Inclusion homelessness, mental health, trauma and addictions. Experience of working in a fast paced environment which requires quick decision making. Experience in managing and resolving conflict in a safe, calm manner.
Desirable Experience of working across multi-agencies. Networking and connecting skills.
Support Worker: Women's Accommodation - 470836 employer: Simon Community Scotland
Simon Community Scotland is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those facing homelessness and related challenges. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and personal growth, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered. Located in vibrant communities across Scotland, we offer flexible working patterns and comprehensive training opportunities, allowing you to develop your skills while making a real difference in the lives of women experiencing homelessness.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker: Women's Accommodation - 470836
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Simon Community Scotland and understand their values and mission. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn, attend relevant events, or join community groups. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for situational questions! Think about how you'd handle real-life scenarios related to supporting individuals facing trauma or homelessness. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our #OneTeam and making a positive impact.
We think you need these skills to ace Support Worker: Women's Accommodation - 470836
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your experiences and what drives you to support others.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for the Support Worker role. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with our values and the specific needs of the women we support. Show us why you’re a great fit!
Show Your Passion:We love seeing candidates who are genuinely passionate about making a difference. Share your motivations for wanting to work in homelessness services and how you can contribute to our mission at Simon Community Scotland.
Check Your Details:Before hitting send, double-check your application for any typos or errors. A polished application shows attention to detail and professionalism, which is super important in our line of work. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
How to prepare for a job interview at Simon Community Scotland
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand Simon Community Scotland's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their services and how they support individuals facing homelessness and trauma. This will show your genuine interest in the role and help you connect your experiences to their needs.
✨Showcase Your Empathy
As a Support Worker, empathy is key. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've demonstrated compassion and understanding, especially in challenging situations. This will highlight your ability to build trust and rapport with those you’ll be supporting.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and emotional intelligence. Think of scenarios where you had to manage conflict or support someone through a tough time. Practising these responses can help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few questions ready about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or how they measure success in supporting individuals. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and your commitment to being part of a collaborative team.
