At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals facing homelessness with mental health and addiction recovery.
- Company: Join Simon Community Scotland, the largest provider of homelessness services in Scotland.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, training opportunities, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Be part of a compassionate team dedicated to transforming lives and fostering community connections.
- Qualifications: SVQ 3 in social care or willingness to work towards it; experience in support roles preferred.
- Other info: Ideal for those passionate about social change and personal development.
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.
Job Purpose
As a support worker it will be your job to work with a team to:
- Help people in our community to manage and recover their mental health
- Support people who use drugs and alcohol to do so as safely as possible
- Support people who choose to reduce or stop their drug and alcohol use to do so safely
- Help people in our community to build a positive network of connections that will help them to gain and sustain their own housing
- Provide emotional and practical support to our community
- Any other duties directed by your service lead
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
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 addictions qualifications
Experience
Essential:
- Experience of providing support to people with a range of challenges including homelessness, mental ill health and addictions
- Experience of 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
Desirable:
- Knowledge and understanding of homelessness, addictions and mental health
- Understanding of services that support homelessness, addictions and mental health
- Evidence of good communication skills, written, verbal and digital
Personal
Essential:
- Able to lead by example.
- A team player.
- A desire to learn and to develop innovative practice
- Honest, ethical and keen to overcome obstacles
- Flexible, responsive
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Support Worker: Relief (Edinburgh, Glasgow and North Lanarkshire) employer: Simonscotland
Contact Detail:
Simonscotland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker: Relief (Edinburgh, Glasgow and North Lanarkshire)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the values and mission of Simon Community Scotland. Understanding their commitment to compassion, inclusion, and innovation will help you align your approach during interviews and discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former support workers in the organisation. They can provide insights into the role and share experiences that could be beneficial for your application and interview preparation.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your understanding of trauma-informed care. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply this knowledge in practice, as it’s crucial for supporting individuals who have faced significant challenges.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you had to make quick decisions while providing support, as this is essential for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Support Worker: Relief (Edinburgh, Glasgow and North Lanarkshire)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, take time to thoroughly read the job description. Understand the key responsibilities and values of Simon Community Scotland, as this will help you tailor your application to demonstrate how you align with their mission.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any experience you have in supporting individuals facing challenges such as homelessness, mental health issues, or addictions. Use specific examples to illustrate your skills and how they relate to the role.
Showcase Your Values: Simon Community Scotland places a strong emphasis on values like warmth, inclusion, and partnership. Make sure to reflect these values in your application by sharing personal anecdotes or experiences that demonstrate your commitment to these principles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should not only summarise your qualifications but also convey your passion for supporting vulnerable communities. Explain why you want to work with Simon Community Scotland and how you can contribute to their goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Simonscotland
✨Show Your Passion for Support Work
Make sure to express your genuine passion for helping others, especially those facing challenges like homelessness and mental health issues. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to making a difference in people's lives.
✨Demonstrate Empathy and Understanding
During the interview, showcase your ability to empathise with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Discuss how you would approach building trust and rapport with clients who have experienced trauma, and provide examples of how you've done this in the past.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in support roles, particularly with vulnerable populations. Mention any specific training or qualifications you have, such as SVQ 3 social care or trauma-informed practice, and how they relate to the role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the organisation and its values. This shows your interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute to their mission. Inquire about team dynamics, training opportunities, and how they measure success in supporting their community.