Support Worker

** APPLICATIONS WILL BE VOID WITH NO APPLICATION FORM ATTACHED – CVs NOT ACCEPTED**

Support Worker at withYOU
Post: Support Worker - Housing First
Service: More information on our service provisions can be found here: Services - withYOU
Location: Midlothian (On the Road - Desirable access to own vehicle)

Hours: Full Time
Shifts: Various – Rota Basis, Day Shift & Night Shift
Salary: £12.50 p/h
Contract: Permanent

Are looking for a new challenge, or want to share your skills in a new post?

We are looking for a new Housing First Worker to join our team, delivering Housing First Across Midlothian. 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 rough sleeping 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.

Key Tasks:

• To promote choice, well-being and the protection of service users from the risk of danger, harm or abuse
• To work with service users to develop and deliver person-centered support plans that achieve the best possible outcomes for people who use the service.
• To encourage people who use services to take an active role in their support and in all decisions relating to them or their support.
• To work with people who use services to match their individual needs to the effective use of community resources in order to maximize independence and quality of life
• To provide support to service users and respond positively to challenging behaviour
• To provide practical assistance for domestic and personal needs to people as required, whilst encouraging personal responsibility and maximization of personal choice
• To act as an advocate, or facilitate advocacy, where appropriate by acting on behalf of people who use the service
• To promote effective communication and joint working with partnership agencies to ensure the best possible outcomes for service users
• To establish and maintain effective links with local community services
• To participate in the monitoring and evaluation of services provided to people who use the service
• To record and report information in accordance with operational guidelines and regulatory requirements
• To promote, monitor and maintain health, safety and security within the working environment
• Attend and contribute effectively to meetings as required

Training and qualifications:
Essential:
- SVQ 3 social care or willing to work towards
- SSSC RegisteredDesirable:
- 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 innovate 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

withYOU

We are a charity with decades of experience supporting people across Scotland, providing those who need us with support that ranges from Mental Health, Learning Disability and Neurodiversity, Youth and Adult homelessness and Older People services.

Why work with us?

We have the following benefits to help attract and retain the best talent, ensuring we provide high quality care to those we support, this includes:

· 6% employer pension contribution· Death in benefit cover (2 times salary)· Enhanced Sick Pay· Fully funded qualifications

· Career development and progression opportunities

Additional Notes
PVG scheme membership and SSSC registration are requirements of this post.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £12.50 per hour

Expected hours: 36 per week

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Life insurance
• Referral programme

Shift:

• Day shift
• Night shift

Education:

• GCSE or equivalent (preferred)

Experience:

• Home care: 1 year (preferred)

Language:

• English (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 13/05/2024