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- Tasks: Support individuals facing homelessness with mental health and addiction recovery.
- Company: Join Simon Community Scotland, the largest provider of homelessness services in the country.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, training opportunities, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Flexible hours available; ideal for students seeking meaningful work.
- 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.
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
We are the leading homeless charity in Scotland. We are creative and innovative, and we get things done with care and compassion that make a difference to our community, staying 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 affect their physical and mental health and safety. Despite challenges, they show resilience and humour, and they know what good and not-so-good service looks like.
Job Purpose
As a support worker, you will 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 to build a positive network of connections that will help them gain and sustain their own housing
- Provide emotional and practical support to our community
- Undertake 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 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 for 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 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) Staff · 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) Staff ·
✨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 valuable insights into the role and share experiences that can help you prepare for potential questions during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your understanding of trauma-informed care. Be ready 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 a key aspect of the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Support Worker: Relief (Edinburgh, Glasgow and North Lanarkshire) Staff ·
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Organisation: Familiarise yourself with Simon Community Scotland's mission and values. Highlight your alignment with their vision of supporting individuals facing homelessness and trauma in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Ensure your CV reflects relevant experience in social care, particularly with vulnerable populations. Emphasise any qualifications like SVQ 3 or training in trauma-informed practice that align with the job requirements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for helping others and your understanding of the challenges faced by the community. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your skills and commitment.
Showcase Relevant Skills: In your application, highlight key skills such as empathy, communication, and teamwork. Provide examples of how you've successfully built relationships and supported individuals in challenging situations.
How to prepare for a job interview at Simonscotland
✨Show Your Passion for the Cause
Make sure to express your genuine passion for supporting individuals facing homelessness and mental health challenges. Share any personal experiences or motivations that drive you to work in this field, as it will resonate with the values of Simon Community Scotland.
✨Demonstrate Empathy and Understanding
Prepare to discuss how you would approach building relationships with people who have experienced trauma and stigma. Use examples from your past experiences to illustrate your ability to empathise and connect with diverse individuals.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
Be ready to talk about your previous roles where you provided support to individuals with various challenges, such as mental health issues or addictions. Specific examples will help showcase your skills and understanding of the complexities involved in this work.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with a team, share instances where you successfully collaborated with others to achieve positive outcomes. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively and contribute to a supportive team environment.