Sistema Scotland’s vision is to improve lives and strengthen communities. Working with children, young people and their families, we focus on early intervention and stimulating generational social change. By playing music together in ensembles and orchestras, we aim to grow confidence, respect, teamwork and aspiration in the children, young people and communities we work with.
We deliver our work through six Big Noise programmes: in Raploch & Fallin in Stirling, Govanhill in Glasgow, Torry in Aberdeen, Douglas in Dundee and Wester Hailes in Edinburgh.
As Head of Communications, you will work with the Chief Executive Officer and wider Leadership Team to enhance and protect Sistema Scotland’s reputation as a leading voice within its sector across Scotland. You will also develop and deliver the organisation’s Communications Strategy, alongside mentoring and line managing the Communications & Marketing Team. As part of the Leadership Team, you will also support the smooth running of the organisation and delivery on strategic outcomes.
You will bring experience of working in a senior communications role in the charity or public sector, along with robust knowledge of the Scottish political and funding landscape. Experience of working with and managing successful relationships with multiple partners is also essential, along with knowledge of current issues regarding music education, community development and tackling inequalities in Scotland.
*Hybrid working between our Big Noise centres and home working (contractual base can be any of our Big Noise centres). Travel to all our Big Noise centres across Scotland (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling, Dundee & Aberdeen) will be required.
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 Simon Community.
Day by day, person-to-person, we tailor what we offer to what people need. We are here to provide consistent, friendly and informed support so that people can explore options and take 'the next step' towards a positive future. We offer support across a range of service delivery points; Street Outreach teams, Housing First initiatives, Floating Support, Information Hubs, Managed Alcohol Program (MAP), Supported Accommodations, Emergency Accommodation, Rapid Access Accommodation, and our own rented properties. These services are delivered across many local authorities within Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, Edinburgh and Perth.
We welcome people with a wide range of skills and experiences to our team. To make a difference, we need to work flexibly, with everyday leadership and a 'can-do' approach. We want to make it right and make it happen –not only for the people we support, but also for each other.
Our #OneTeam ethos is core to who we are, and it means caring for and supporting each other regardless of our role, service or location. Find out more about our services here.
Job Purpose
The Support Worker role is to support and engage with people to manage and recover their mental health, in line with our trauma-informed approach. You will help people with safer substance use and assist them with the process when they choose to stop. You will assist our people to build a positive network of connections to enable them to gain and sustain their own housing.
As a Support Worker, you will provide work alongside people impacted by homelessness, addiction, mental health challenges and trauma. You will provide guidance and assistance to the people we support to achieve their goals of securing safe housing and accessing the necessary support to feel secure, manage their challenges and live an independent life free from harm or abuse.
Supported Accommodation services in North Lanarkshire operate on a 24-hour basis to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone we support. Continuous cover is provided through a rolling rota, and staff are expected to work flexibly across this rota, which includes day shifts, late shifts, waking night shifts. 2 of our services are covered by nightly sleepovers. This ensures that support is always available when needed. Staff play a key role in maintaining a safe and supportive environment, responding appropriately to incidents or emergencies, and providing reassurance and practical support at all times. This 24-hour model enables consistent, person-centred support, promotes stability within the service, and ensures that the needs of individuals are met both during the day and overnight, in line with safeguarding responsibilities and organisational policies.
The shift patterns are 5 days over 7, day shift 8-4, Late shift 1-9 Nightshift 9pm-8am sleepover 12pm-2pm the following day. Although you may be initially based at a service, you could be moved to another service to ensure we meet the needs of service delivery.
Job Summary
You will be passionate about supporting and changing expectations and experiences of people we support, many of whom have experienced significant trauma, exclusion and stigma.
As a Support Worker in homelessness services, you'll be instrumental in empowering individuals affected by homelessness, addiction, challenging mental health and trauma. You'll provide compassionate, person-centred support, guiding them towards securing safe and stable housing and developing tools to manage their challenges. Your role is vital in helping people access essential resources, build resilience, and ultimately live a life free from harm and abuse.
As part of our Team, you will be at the forefront of supporting people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. You will work collaboratively with partner agencies in a supportive environment. The role involves providing both practical and emotional support, helping individuals to secure accommodation, access benefits, and connect with a wide range of health, wellbeing, and advocacy services.
Our team builds strong professional relationships with local authorities, support providers, and other external partners to ensure our support is coordinated and effective. You will adopt a harm reduction approach, providing advice and Naloxone trained as needed.
People are at the heart of who we are and what we do. Day-by-day, person-by-person, we tailor what we offer to what people need. We’re here to provide consistent, friendly and informed support so that people can explore options and take ‘the next step’ towards their future.
We welcome people with a wide range of skills and experiences to our team – including those in recovery and those who have lived through homelessness. To make a difference, we work flexibly, with everyday leadership, humour and a ‘can do’ spirit. We want to make it easy, make it right and make it happen – not only for the people we support, but for each other. We care for and support each other regardless of our role, service or location.
Job Purpose
The Head of Service - Harm Reduction & Service Development will provide strategic leadership across a portfolio of innovative and developing services, including Harm Reduction, Digital Lifelines, Human Rights, Recovery, Gambling Harm, the Managed Alcohol Project, and Safer Services (our high-tolerance harm reduction model).
This is a senior leadership role with a national remit, responsible for driving forward service innovation, development and system change. The postholder will lead diverse teams and programmes across the organisation, ensuring that practice is aligned with policy, evidence and organisational values.
You will play a key role in shaping and promoting models of best practice, strengthening partnerships locally, nationally and internationally, and influencing wider systems to improve outcomes for people experiencing severe and multiple disadvantages.
This role will balance strategic development, partnership leadership and oversight of emerging service models, ensuring they are sustainable, impactful and grounded in trauma-informed, person-centred approaches.