At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals facing homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges on their journey to recovery.
- Company: Join Simon Community Scotland, the largest provider of homelessness services in Scotland.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, training opportunities, and be part of a supportive team.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while building meaningful connections in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care or a willingness to learn; empathy and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 11.7 - 14.3 £ per hour.
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.
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.
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.
Our Edinburgh Street Team responds to people sleeping rough, meeting them where they are and providing the crucial first link to care. The street team are out in all weathers, actively reaching out to people on foot, e-bikes, or in cars, and walking alongside them to find solutions out of rough sleeping and begging. Supporting someone through the initial steps of the journey from rough sleeping to more settled arrangements is challenging but incredibly rewarding.
In this role, you will have the opportunity to work with those furthest removed from society and show them that they matter. The Street Team relies on relationships with internal and external services to create plans with individuals, with the goal of not only surviving but thriving. The street team works together, drawing on each team member's experience and individual working style to reach as many people as possible.
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 & Participation: We include everyone in the services and resources they need, regardless of their circumstances and ensure each person's voice and influence are heard and felt in everything that we do.
- Personalised & Creative: Each person we support is an individual with unique circumstances, needs and future potential which requires a uniquely tailored response.
- Warmth & Regard: We see beyond a person's current or past circumstances, recognising their inherent value, worth and potential as human beings.
- Partnership & Collaboration: We know we need to work positively with others to deliver a truly inclusive and personalised approach, improve our response and add value to the experience of the people we support.
- Supportive & Ambitious: We encourage and support ambition, building on strengths to foster hope for the people we support as well as deliver growth and development for staff and volunteers.
Core Competencies
- Planning and Organising: Create and manage personalised support plans for people, prioritising tasks and managing resources effectively to help them achieve their goals.
- Resilience: Advance despite adversity, responding to challenging and difficult situations with a calm, professional, and composed approach.
- Motivation: Act with care and compassion, demonstrating a clear commitment to the role and its importance in empowering individuals to live independently.
- Problem Solving: Carefully analyse problems, breaking them down into parts to find practical, person-centred solutions.
- Teamwork: Work with colleagues in a supportive and collaborative way, fostering team togetherness and a positive, problem-solving vibe.
- Communication & Digital Enablement: Communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders, including service users, partners, and other colleagues, adapting your communication style to be clear, empathetic, and respectful.
Person Specification
- Training & Qualification: Essential: SVQ 3 social care or willing to work towards qualification, SSSC registered, Ability to work within the parameters of the SSSC Code of Practice.
- Experience: Essential: Experience of providing support to people with a ranges of challenges; homelessness, mental health, trauma and addictions.
- Knowledge & Skills: Essential: Experience of working with people with a variety of individual and cultural beliefs.
- Personal: Essential: A good team player with the ability to lead by example.
To be eligible for this position, we require candidates to either hold British citizenship or have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor applications from candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.
Support Worker: Edinburgh Street Team employer: Simonscotland
Simon Community Scotland is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being of both its clients and staff. With a strong commitment to inclusion and compassion, employees benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages personal and professional growth, while making a meaningful impact in the community. Working in Edinburgh, you will enjoy the unique advantage of engaging directly with those in need, fostering resilience and trust in a dynamic and rewarding environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker: Edinburgh Street Team
✨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 Simonscotland.
✨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 Simonscotland!
✨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 Simonscotland, 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 Simonscotland 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 Street Team
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 Simonscotland:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Simonscotland! 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 Simonscotland
✨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.
