At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals facing homelessness by providing tailored, trauma-informed care and assistance.
- Company: Join Simon Community Scotland, the largest provider of homelessness services in Scotland, dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive work environment with opportunities for training and personal development.
- Other info: Must be registered with SSSC and uphold their standards.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while working with resilient individuals and a passionate team.
- Qualifications: SVQ 3 in social care or willingness to work towards it; experience in support roles preferred.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ 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 the Simon Community.
Job Summary
The Simon Community is Scotland\'s leading homeless charity. We are creative and innovative. We get things done with care and compassion that make a difference to our community, being true to our values. We are a community of staff, volunteers and the people that we support.
We are looking for someone who is passionate about changing expectations and experiences of people we support, many of whom have experienced significant trauma, exclusion and stigma. They often engage in risk taking behaviours that put their physical and mental health, and their lives at risk. Despite the challenges they face they have incredible resilience, survival skills and a wicked sense of humour. They know what a good, and not so good service looks like.
In Housing First we work with people who have current and previous experiences of roughsleeping into their own tenancies to support them in fostering safety, choice and control in their lives. You’ll be based in the community, working one to one with individuals to provide person-centred, trauma informed support linking in with other agencies and partners as required.
As part of our Housing First team you’ll contribute to the development of our Service, provide support to colleagues and work to improve outcomes for the people we support.
You’ll report to one of our Service Leads and have regular reflective practice sessions with ourClinical Psychologist.
Job Purpose
Key activities will include:
- Responsibility for a caseload providing key worker assessment, planning, delivery andevaluation of person centred support
- Supporting those we work with to access housing and other services as may requiredincluding healthcare, support for substance use and social inclusion
- Developing effective relationships with those we support by listening, interacting and responding to their needs and requirements
- Ability and willingness to meet people where they are at - physically, emotionally, socially- to build stickable relationships
- Working effectively with internal and external partners to maximise the effectiveness ofsupport available to those we work with
- Maintaining accurate case notes and records
- Other such related activities which may arise as the role develops
Key Responsibilities
Our values support:
- Warmth and positive regard
- Inclusion and participation
- Innovation and personalisation of care and support
- Ambition
- Partnership
- Learning and leadership
Your key responsibilities to support those values will be:
- Developing honest and open relationships with our community that foster trust
- Using our training and reflective practice to develop additional skills to support and respond appropriately to our community who have experienced trauma
- Working with people in our community with a wide range of experiences and cultural backgrounds with dignity, respect and kindness
- Working 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 -Fostering connection, hope, 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
- Ensuring that our places reflect the respect we hold for our community
Frontline staff must be registered with SSSC and uphold the standards and values of the SSSCCode of Practice.
Person Specification
Training and qualifications:
Essential:
- SVQ 3 social care or willing to work towards
- SSSC Registered or willing to become so
Desirable:
- Trauma informed practice
- Assist / MHFA / SafeTalk trained
- Naloxone trained
- Mental Health or Substance Use qualifications
Experience:
- Essential: Providing support to people with a range of experiences including homelessness, mental ill health and/or substance use
- Working in a fast-paced environment which requires quick decision making
- Desirable: Lived experience of homelessness
- Experience of working with a range of agencies as a team
- Networking and connecting skills
Knowledge and Skills:
- Essential: Experience of working with people with a variety of individual and cultural beliefs
- Ability to use empathy and relational skills to build positive relationships with our community and colleagues
- Understanding of, and ability to work within, ethical and relational boundaries
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Desire to reflect, learn and develop innovative practice
- Desirable: Knowledge and understanding of homelessness, addictions and mental health
- Understanding of services that support homelessness, substance use and mental health
- Evidence of good communication skills; written, verbal and digital
Personal:
- Essential: Being a positive person who leads by example
- Have a willingness to learn and adapt to each situation
- Honest, ethical and committed to our values at SCS
Support Worker: Housing First (Edinburgh) employer: Simonscotland
At Simon Community Scotland, we pride ourselves on being a compassionate and innovative employer dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of those facing homelessness. Our supportive work culture fosters personal and professional growth, offering regular training and reflective practice sessions to enhance your skills. Located in Edinburgh, you will be part of a passionate team that values inclusion, partnership, and the well-being of both our staff and the community we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker: Housing First (Edinburgh)
✨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: Housing First (Edinburgh)
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.
