At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals facing homelessness and mental health challenges to achieve stability and independence.
- 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 hours in a fast-paced, collaborative setting.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care or a willingness to learn; empathy and teamwork are essential.
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.
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 Edinburgh Support Hub Team primarily engages with people within Edinburgh City Centre, however, we also support people outwith this. Based within our Edinburgh Support Hub, at Holyrood Road, this location offers easy access to people affected by rough sleeping, destitution and homelessness, where they will find the support they need in a place they are comfortable.
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: SVQ3 social care or willing to work towards qualification SSSC registered Ability to work within the parameters of the SSSC Code of Practice.
- Experience: Experience of providing support to people with a ranges of challenges; homelessness, mental health, trauma and addictions.
- Knowledge & Skills: Experience of working with people with a variety of individual and cultural beliefs.
- Personal: 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 Hub employer: Simonscotland
Simon Community Scotland is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals facing homelessness and related challenges. With a strong focus on employee growth, our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, allowing staff to thrive while making a difference in the community. Located in the heart of Edinburgh, our dynamic Hub environment provides easy access to those in need, ensuring that our team can deliver compassionate, person-centred support effectively and efficiently.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker: Edinburgh Hub
✨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 Hub
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.
