At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals facing homelessness and mental health challenges to achieve their goals.
- Company: Join Simon Community Scotland, the largest provider of homelessness services in Scotland.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, supportive team environment, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team dedicated to creating positive change in the community.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while building meaningful connections.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care or willingness to learn; empathy and communication skills are key.
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 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.
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.
- Support 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.
Our Values:
- Inclusion & Participation: We include everyone in the services and resources they need, regardless of their circumstances.
- Personalised & Creative: Each person we support is an individual with unique circumstances, needs and future potential.
- Warmth & Regard: We see beyond a person's current or past circumstances, recognising their inherent value, worth and potential.
- Partnership & Collaboration: We know we need to work positively with others to deliver a truly inclusive and personalised approach.
- Supportive & Ambitious: We encourage and support ambition, building on strengths to foster hope for the people we support.
Core Competencies:
- Planning and Organising: Create and manage personalised support plans for people, prioritising tasks and managing resources effectively.
- Resilience: Advance despite adversity, responding to challenging situations with a calm, professional approach.
- Motivation: Act with care and compassion, demonstrating a clear commitment to the role.
- Problem Solving: Carefully analyse problems, breaking them down into parts to find practical solutions.
- Teamwork: Work with colleagues in a supportive and collaborative way, fostering team togetherness.
- Communication & Digital Enablement: Communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders, adapting your communication style to be clear and respectful.
Person Specification:
- Essential: SVQ 3 social care or willing to work towards qualification, SSSC registered, experience of providing support to people with a range of challenges.
- Desirable: Trauma informed practice, ASIST / MHFA / SafeTalk trained, Naloxone trained.
To be eligible for this position, we require candidates to either hold British citizenship or have the right to work in the UK.
Support Worker: Perth employer: Simonscotland
At Simon Community Scotland, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through ongoing professional development opportunities, while our trauma-informed approach ensures that you will be part of a compassionate team making a real difference in the lives of those we serve. Located in a vibrant community, we offer a unique chance to engage in meaningful work that promotes mental health and well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker: Perth
✨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: Perth
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.
