Care Support Scotland

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. Guided by our values of Respect and Compassion, we empower both the people we support and our colleagues to Thrive every day.

Why work with us?

At Care Support Scotland caring isn’t just a job — it’s who we are. Join our dedicated team and help transform lives while growing your own career.

• Pension contributions matched up to 6%

• Financial Flexibility – Access your wages as you earn them with our Earned Wage Access benefit.

• Employee Assistance Programme through HSF

• Contribution to HSF Health Plan – supporting your everyday health needs

• Generous annual leave – 33 days including public holidays, increasing with service

• Supportive absence policies to help when you need time off

• Death in Benefit Cover – 2x annual salary

• Support with funded qualifications

• Career development and progression opportunities

About the Role

We are delighted to offer this 3-year fixed-term post, made possible thanks to National Lottery Fairer Life Chances fund.

Due to the personal nature of the role, this post is restricted to female applicants in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1, which permits an occupational requirement for specific genders in such circumstances.

• We are seeking a Community Connector to join our new Women’s Homelessness Service in Midlothian. This is an exciting opportunity to support women who have experienced homelessness and multiple disadvantage.

• Working alongside support workers, the Community Connector will focus on helping women to build recovery capital – their personal resilience, social networks, and community connections. The role brings additional capacity for group work, community engagement, and peer-led activities, complementing the direct support already provided by the team.

• You will support women to set goals, explore their strengths and aspirations, and access opportunities that promote wellbeing, recovery, and inclusion. By co-designing groups and activities, and linking women into local services, volunteering, and community resources, you will play a key part in reducing isolation and repeat homelessness.

Who we are looking for?

• Experience of supporting people facing disadvantage or exclusion.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to build trust, deliver 1:1 support, and facilitate group sessions.

• Understanding of the impact of homelessness and multiple disadvantage on women.

• Compassionate, resilient, and committed to inclusion and empowerment.

• A driver with access to a car is essential for this role.

What You will Do

• Provide 1:1 relational support, using tools such as Outcome Star (Home Star) to set and review goals.

• Facilitate co-designed group activities that promote wellbeing, creativity, and peer support.

• Support women experiencing multiple disadvantage to strengthen their recovery capital.

• Build connections with local partners (e.g. Women’s Aid, recovery networks, community groups) to expand opportunities for women.

• Advocate alongside women to ensure their voices are heard and rights are respected.

• Work in a trauma-informed, gender-responsive, and strengths-based way.

(Experience in women’s services, homelessness, or recovery is desirable but not essential. Lived experience is valued.)

Care Support Scotland

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. Guided by our values of Respect and Compassion, we empower both the people we support and our colleagues to Thrive every day.

Why work with us?

At Care Support Scotland caring isn’t just a job — it’s who we are. Join our dedicated team and help transform lives while growing your own career.

• Pension contributions matched up to 6%

• Financial Flexibility – Access your wages as you earn them with our Earned Wage Access benefit.

• Employee Assistance Programme through HSF

• Contribution to HSF Health Plan – supporting your everyday health needs

• Generous annual leave – 33 days including public holidays, increasing with service

• Supportive absence policies to help when you need time off

• Death in Benefit Cover – 2x annual salary

• Support with funded qualifications

• Career development and progression opportunities

Who we are looking for:

The Learning Disability and Neurodiversity team is looking for Senior Support Worker to join our team. The service provides practical and emotional support to adults who have a mental health diagnosis in our visiting support services in Edinburgh. We are looking for a hard working an experienced support worker who is interested in progressing in their career and taking on additional responsibilities, or a senior support worker looking to take on a new challenge. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone passionate about a career in social care who wants to gain valuable hands-on experience and enhance their skillset. Above all we want someone that shares in our values. Our mission is to provide positive, life changing support, delivered by inspiring, professional staff.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Apply your knowledge of best practice, codes of practice and current regulations in the social care sector and ensure the provision of a high quality and socially inclusive service
• Manage and co-produce support plans and contribute to support reviews
• Assist Service Managers and Team Leaders with service referrals and staff interviewing & selection procedures
• Take on the role of shift leader in the absence of the Service Manager
• Assist in managing a team of Support Workers by reviewing the delivery of support and ensure staff are following the correct policy and procedures.

Essential experience, qualifications and skills:

• Experience of providing support to people who have experienced homelessness, mental ill health, and drug and alcohol use.
• Experience of working in a fast-paced environment which requires a dynamic approach to problem solving.
• SVQ3 in Social Care or willing to work towards.
• SSSC registered or willing to become so.
• Ability to use empathy and relational skills to build positive relationships within our community and with colleagues.
• An understanding of and ability to work within ethical and relational boundaries.

Desired experience, qualifications and skills:

• Experience of working with a range of agencies as a team
• Networking and skills making meaningful connections
• Awareness around Trauma Informed Practice
• ASSIST/Mental Health First Aid trained
• Naloxone trained
• Knowledge and understanding of the causes of homelessness, substance use and mental health including Attachment Theory and Adverse Childhood Experiences.
• Understanding of services that support homelessness, substance use and mental health.
• Experience in line managing a team.

Additional Notes

• Shift work, weekend work may be a requirement of this role.
• PVG scheme membership
• SSSC registration are requirements of this post
• Please note, you will be asked to provide evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK.
• We reserve the right to bring the closing date forward if a suitable candidate is identified.

Care Support Scotland is an equal opportunities employer and always welcomes applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy and maternity