Charity registered in Scotland SC003076
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.
Our Preventing Migrant Homelessness programme works with people who are destitute and subject to immigration control, as well as refugees who are at risk of homelessness. 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.
You will be part of a new service being rolled out in North Ayrshire, Saffron which is currently running in Glasgow and has had some very good outcomes for young people so to take this model across another local authority will be an excellent opportunity for all involved.
You will work directly alongside our UASC service, Saffron, to provide specialised support to unaccompanied young people. Using a trauma-informed approach, you will deliver practical housing support—helping young people to adjust to living independently, navigate tenancy responsibilities, and build key life skills as they work towards sustainable, independent living. You will also collaborate closely with partner charities and external agencies to offer a safe, holistic support network tailored to the needs of the people we work alongside.
To be part of this team, you will be passionate about changing expectations and experiences of people we support, many of whom have experienced significant trauma and continue to experience exclusion, stigma and racism in Scotland. You will understand the differential impact of race on their experience of services and support. As part of our Preventing Migrant Homelessness team you’ll contribute to the development of our service, provide support to colleagues and work to improve outcomes for the people we support.
This post is part time, working 18.75 hours per week.
Days to be arranged but will be in the Monday - Friday 9.00 am - 5.00 pm perimeter
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.