Support Worker - Edinburgh West -Carrick Knowe

Support Worker Service: Housing & Community Support Services (HACSS)

Location: The Action Group, The Prentice Centre, 1 Granton Mains Avenue, Edinburgh (or regional base as set by line manager)

Line managed by: Practice and Wellbeing Leader

Salary: Unqualified - £27,351.61 – £27,921.01 per annum pro rata; Qualified - £27,921.01 – £28,409.07 per annum pro rata; Casual rate £13.45 per hour; Sleepover rate £107.60 per night.

Role: Support a man in his early twenties on a 1:1 basis within his own accommodation, providing 24/7 support, including sleepovers. The role focuses on promoting independent living skills, building confidence, and encouraging greater independence in daily life. Carrick Knowe area of Edinburgh (Edinburgh West).

Hours: Full‑time and Part‑time to be discussed with the post holder. Due to visa restrictions and our shift requirements, candidates on restricted visas may be offered a maximum of 15 hours per week. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship.

The Action Group values diversity in our workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. As a Disability Confident Leader organisation, we particularly encourage applications from people with disabilities, and offer a guaranteed interview for anyone who meets the essential criteria for the role. We also strongly encourage and welcome applications from people from minority ethnic backgrounds and other underrepresented groups. If you require any adjustments to take part in the recruitment process, please let us know and we will do our best to support you.

This is a regulated role and requires PVG Disclosure Scotland membership for adults and children. As part of our recruitment process, candidates who have lived outside the UK for more than 12 months in the last 10 years will be required to provide a Criminal Convictions Certificate (or equivalent) from the relevant countries. Please note that the cost of obtaining this certificate will be the responsibility of the candidate. Since this is a registered service with the Care Inspectorate, all applicants must be at least 18 years old.

Contact: recruitment@actiongroup.org.uk (email); 0131 285 5207 (phone).

Main Purpose: The main purpose of this post is to provide a caring, efficient and effective 24/7 support service to people who use The Action Group’s Services. This will include assisting people to develop their skills by supervising and participating in various support activities in a way that enriches their opportunities and promotes choice.

Specific Duties:

• Practice the TAG Key Worker system, for example organising support plans and case reviews as required for individual people we support with all relevant stakeholders, ensuring effective handovers between staff, and maintaining records, case files etc.
• Promote the physical and emotional wellbeing of the people we support at all times (e.g., supporting people to maintain acceptable and adequate levels of self‑care, carrying out risk assessments, etc).
• Actively develop meaningful and trusting relationships with the people we support (e.g., helping people to gain insight into their own behaviour, attitudes and reactions).
• Encourage independence in all daily living activities wherever possible, and support them with this only when necessary (e.g., housework, food preparation, household admin etc).
• Promote people’s hobbies, interests and activities, and encourage participation in all aspects of community life.
• Directly assist with personal care as required.
• Work with the people we support to maximise their ability to communicate effectively and promote self‑advocacy wherever possible.
• Advocate on behalf of the people we support when needed (e.g., liaising with external organisations regarding benefits, education, tenancy and employment etc).
• Work with relatives and carers of people we support (e.g., arranging support plans, dealing with complaints and frustrations, etc) and help to ensure that relatives have a significant role in the person’s life wherever possible and appropriate.
• Find out about the wide range of local services, amenities and organisations available to people we support.
• Work with both individuals and groups of in all of the above, according to need.
• Participate flexibly in the various shift work patterns required by the needs of the people we support (including regular working outwith weekday office hours; for example, in the evening and at weekends, where applicable).
• Regularly undertake ‘sleepover’ or ‘waking night’ duties where required.
• From time-to-time, the postholder may be asked to cover short‑term absences of Support Workers in other teams.

General Duties (applicable to all The Action Group staff):

• Read, and work in accordance with, TAG’s Mission, Aims & Objectives, and current Business Plan.
• Manage own work time effectively.
• Keep on top of own paperwork and maintain effective and organised filing systems, as appropriate to the specific job role.
• Treat everyone with consideration and respect.
• Ensure prompt, polite and clear communication (whether responding to a query from a member of staff or a complaint from person we support).
• Keep up to date and comply with all applicable TAG policies and procedures (covering everything from personal Health & Safety to Care Commission Standards).
• Promote and respect individual rights and responsibilities at all time.
• Retain the highest standards of confidentiality, as appropriate to the specific role.
• Assist your manager and other work colleagues as appropriate and whenever possible.
• Take charge of own CPD (Continuous Professional Development) and contribute to TAG maintaining the Investors In People standard.
• Be responsible for own work life balance (e.g., taking annual leave at regular intervals, etc).

Required Criteria:

• Shares our values – Equality, Inclusion, Flexibility, Person‑Centred Support, Respecting differences.
• Practically‑Minded – Can budget and manage a home – Assesses Risk Well – Plans stuff in advance – Responds well to challenging situations.
• A nice person – Listens – Interested in people – Patient and Calm – Fun – Caring and considerate.
• Good in a Team – Communicates well – Takes responsibility – Asks for advice – Helps others.
• Get the details right – Punctual – Consistent – Follows procedures – Finds out and remembers stuff – Completes paperwork.
• Not afraid to think – Reflects on practice – Learns from experience – Puts self in other’s shoes – Suggests ideas.

This post requires registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC). Applicants who are not registered with the SSSC when starting will have 6 months in which to register. Applicants already registered with the SSSC must inform that body of their employment with The Action Group. This post requires PVG clearance. Applicants who are not members of the PVG scheme should be prepared to join before commencing employment.

Closing Date: Monday 1st June 2026

Contract Type: Full time

Salary: Based on experience