Jobs in Tranent, Wallyford and Macmerry, East Lothian

This is a fantastic opportunity for a motivated and positive individual to help people using our foodbank to access our emergency food provision. The Service Co-ordinator is at the frontline of our crisis service. As the first point of contact for our service users and referral partners you must be a confident communicator who can work well managing multiple tasks in an extremely busy environment.

Duties will include processing requests for emergency food support received via phone, email and online. You will be taking care of day-to-day contacts and building relationships with partners, service users with regards to our crisis service.

Key responsibilities:

The Service Co-ordinator will:

• Manage referrals for all food bank parcels from agencies and partners via telephone and email
• Act as the main point of contact for service users. Gather any special requests, or information relating to specific needs so volunteers can tailor parcels accordingly
• Signpost service users to other support services, as appropriate
• Plan and co-ordinate daily deliveries including organising drivers, notifying service users and scheduling routes
• Collate all referral paperwork so data can be logged efficiently and in compliance with Trussell guidelines
• Liaise with referral agencies to help resolve any issues as they arise
• Onboard new referral partners
• Maintain and create records on our data collection system relating to referrals
• Collate articles and issue a regular newsletter for our referral partners
• Ensure referral partner contact information and user data is reviewed and updated regularly (usually on a quarterly basis)
• Bringing to the attention of your line manager any safeguarding concerns regarding the day-to-day referrals
• Undertake any other duties that may be reasonably expected to fulfil the role

About you

To succeed in this role, you must have the following skills and experience:

• Experience of engaging with and supporting partnership work with other organisations
• Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience in handling difficult conversations
• A willingness to work flexible hours
• Understanding of confidentiality practices and GDPR guidelines
• Ability to work to tight timescales under pressure
• Ability to multitask
• Demonstrable professionalism
• A positive and proactive team-player actively contributing to a strong and committed staff and volunteer team
• Demonstratable empathy, non-judgemental, and committed to always preserving the dignity of clients and in every interaction
• As an emergency food service, you may be dealing with people who are often in distress so the ability to deal with people sensitively and with compassion is required

Key Competencies

• Highly organised and self-motivated
• Adaptable and proactive
• Good IT skills – including google suite and office packages/excel
• Committed to the values and mission of East Lothian Foodbank

Reporting to: Operations Manager.

Benefits

• Accredited real Living Wage Employer offering competitive salary
• Annual leave: 32 days including 9 bank holidays (pro rata)
• Pension: ELFB is a member of the NEST Pension Scheme. The successful candidate would be enrolled within the pension scheme 3 months from the joining date. Further information about Employer Pension obligations can be found at nestpensions.org.uk/schemeweb/nest/aboutnest/pensions-are-changing/auto-enrolment.html
• Employee assistance programme - the successful candidate will be enrolled into our assistance programme provided by Hospital Saturday Fund on completion of probation. This gives access to a range of employee welfare, mental health and financial support. Including money towards specific private health treatments and access to a range of discounts through Perk Box.
• Business travel: 45p per mile paid for business travel
• Financial contribution to activities that support your health and wellbeing

Ark is a major provider of Housing, Care and Support to people with long term and enduring conditions such as learning disabilities, mental health issues, dementia and autism.

Ark supports people to live independently in their own homes providing everything from a few hours a week social and life admin support to 24/7 care supporting with personal care, medication, household tasks, attending appointments and leisure activities.

We have lots of opportunities across Scotland for our Support Worker roles. As we provide full training no previous is experience is required.

If you are enthusiastic about supporting people to live their best lives, then apply now to join our team!

Your main duties will include but not be limited to:

• Working with colleagues as part of an effective and efficient team to support vulnerable people.
• Communicate and work well with our supported people to provide individual care and maintain appropriate relationships.
• Being responsible in supporting individuals throughout the activities, giving positive feedback and encouragement.
• Updating and maintaining accurate records using a tablet on Arks Information Management system.

Previous experience of the following is an advantage but not essential as Ark will provide full training: Care Worker, Social worker, Home Carer, Case Worker, Care Assistant, Autism Support Worker, Personal Care Assistant , Social Care Worker.

View our job outline, find out what you working week could look like and hear from our current Support Workers on Arks website arkha.org.uk/work-with-us

Why Ark?

• No Previous Experience Required - Ark provide full training so no previous experience is required making our Support Worker roles the perfect place to start your career in Adult Social Care.
• Get a qualification while you work - Ark fully fund your SVQ2 in Health & Social Care which you complete with the support of our in house SVQ team.
• Employee Discounts - Employee Discounts Portal with 1000s of discounts on your favourite brands including Supermarkets, Cinema Tickets, Gym Membership and Holidays.
• Career Progression -Over 75% of all Managers within Care & Support have been promoted internally.
• Employee Assistance Program - Arks Employee Assistance program (EAP) gives all employees access to counselling sessions. There is also support available through weekly webinars and the EAP Website & App.
• Contracted hours to suit you-We have Full-time, Part-time and Relief Support Worker roles available at our services throughout Scotland.

In return for your valuable contribution, Ark will also offer you:

• Up to 36 days paid holiday per year pro rata
• 4% Contributory pension scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Fully funded PVG & 1st year SSSC registration paid by Ark

Our employees told us in a recent survey that they stay with Ark because they believe in our values, we have supportive managers who continually appreciate their staff and they love making a positive difference in our supported peoples lives, helping them to achieve their dreams.

Ark would love to hear from you whether you are an experienced Support Worker or new to Social Care.