The vacancy

The impact of vision loss is huge. Too often, it leads to people lacking or losing confidence and independence. People with vision loss are at higher risk of unemployment, isolation, mental health problems, and financial challenges. It can have an enormous emotional toll. But with the right support, people with vision loss can gain the skills to remain independent and active in their communities – to thrive. That’s why we’re here.

For 230 years, Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans have been supporting people impacted by vision loss. We believe we play an important role in continually shifting the conversation around sight loss, and contributing to achieving a fair, equitable society. Over the years, we’ve seen a positive shift in expectations, with individuals and communities increasingly empowered to live lives the way they choose, free of discrimination.

And we’ve had to transform too, so that our services reflect the times we live in and meet the changing needs of the people we support. We’re now looking at how we continue to evolve, considering how we contribute now and what we could do differently in the future.

Our Activity Centre’s provide innovative and person-centred services and support to veterans struggling with sight loss. This job exists in order to provide tailored support to veterans carrying out woodworking projects. You will work alongside the veterans to identify abilities, share ideas and plan projects within the activity Centre. You will ensure that the support provided is person-centred, tailored to their needs and is the right support for them. You will support the leadership team to coordinate and manage the activities provided within and from the Activity Centre which will support the overall wellbeing of the veterans and their families. You will work closely with colleagues across the organisation and external stakeholders to ensure that veterans can access the relevant support.

About us

We're one of Scotland's oldest charities - for more than two centuries, we've been supporting and empowering people with sight loss to live fulfilling lives. We're proud of all we've achieved in the past - but we have our sights set firmly on the future.

We're determined that no-one should face sight loss alone. We're committed to improving, diversifying and growing our services to make sure we can reach many more people with sight loss - when and where they need us.

The individual in this role is accountable for ensuring that Mainstay Trust Ltd provides the highest quality of care for the people we support, seeking at all times to achieve and improve on the Care Inspectorate standards within the care at home and housing support service.

The individual in this role will be expected to provide leadership and operational management of each of the services within the registered service, including responsibility for the delivery of all care and support, clinical, operational, financial and administrative functions consistent with Mainstay Trust Ltd policies and procedures for operating.

This role is part of the leadership team for Mainstay Trust Ltd and the individual in this role will work closely with the rest of the leadership team of the organisation to ensure there is a consistent and transparent approach to achieving the aims and objectives of the organisation as a whole.

The key deliverables are:

• Motivational and inspirational leadership for employees and teams to enable and encourage them to perform at their best, acting as a role model for Mainstays values and leadership behaviours.

• Effective employee engagement and development so that all employees are encouraged to understand the aims and objectives of the organisation and how their role fits within this structure. Nurturing and encouraging employees to achieve to their best ability fulfilling careers with the organisation.

• Effective management of risk across all services with the registered service, ensuring all employees are aware and manage risk within guidelines.

• Responsible for driving up quality within all services in the registration to attain Care Inspectorate requirements and in the event issues arise, develop, implement and complete appropriate remedial action plans.

• Ensure that structures, processes, systems and procedures are coordinated, effective and efficient in meeting business requirements to comply with contractual obligations.

• Work in conjunction with other Registered Managers, Operations Manager, Service Development Manager, Operational Directors and support functions (HR, IT, Finance) to ensure that all activities undertaken are carried out effectively to promote a positive view of Mainstay Trust Ltd for the general public, people we support, carers and family members, employees and local authority representatives.

The person we are looking for to fill this role will have

• SVQ Social Services and Healthcare at SCQF level 9 & SVQ Care Services Leadership and Management at SCQF level 10

• Legacy qualifications that will be considered: SVQ 4 Health and Social Care SVQ 4 Care ,SVQ 4 Management, SVQ 4 Leadership and Management for Care Services , SVQ 4 Registered Manger in Health and Social Care (RMA)

• Previous managerial experience (at least 2years)

• Full Drivers Licence

• Evidence of working with vulnerable groups

• Working knowledge of Health and Social Care Standards

• Working knowledge of personalisation, person centred planning and self directed support

• Ability to manage personal and staff team workloads

• Ability to compile and support other to write outcome based support plans

• IT Skills

• Ability to manage staff rota system

• Excellent communication skills

• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise work load

The best part of my job is the people. I became a Support Worker as I wanted to help make a difference to someone’s life, however big or small.’

- Margaret, Visualise Support Worker

Successful candidates who have passed their probationary period, will get the chance to work towards an SVQ2 or SVQ3.

Do you want to join a team that is making a real difference to people’s lives? If so, Visualise Scotland are looking to recruit committed and passionate individuals for Support Worker positions that will allow you to work as part of a close knit, skilled and talented team.

Working for Visualise involves supporting adults living with disabilities to have the best quality of life possible, supporting their independence and choice. This can be in our housing support, day services or care at home. This includes supporting people with their day-to-day life- getting them ready in the morning, supporting them with personal care and hygiene, preparing food and meals, getting out and enabling them to take part in hobbies and leisure activities, using public transport, administering medication, attending appointments, managing their finances and accompanying them to social events. We are looking for someone who thrives on building relationships and working in a fast-paced environment where two days are never the same.

Good interpersonal skills, patience and a willingness to learn are essential. Experience of working with people with disabilities is desirable but not essential as full training and support will be provided. Visualise provides quality support. We were graded 5 (very good, by Care Inspectorate in 2020).

About Visualise Scotland

Visualise is a small Edinburgh based charity providing support to adults who have complex support needs. The people we support are treated and respected as individuals with personalised care at the heart of what we do. We have a good record of providing high-quality support.

We are proud of our role as a local employer, and we pay over the Scottish living wage. We also offer a great staff benefits package, including Sick Pay, Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Pay, Life Insurance and access to the Hospital Saturday Fund and a Credit Union.

We provide a comprehensive induction and a variety of training including epilepsy, first-aid, and manual handling. We are passionate about developing our employees and helping them achieve their career goals.

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Sick pay
• BHSF Rise- Free Confidential Advice and Support
• AIG Smart Health- Mental Health Support and Access to GP 24/7
• Hospital Saturday Fund- Contributory Scheme that covers Optical and Dental Expenditure, Physiotherapy, Hospital Stays and surgery.

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Edinburgh: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person

Are you a creative, dynamic and skilled leader who can champion change whilst taking others with you?

Scottish Autism is dedicated to enabling autistic people to lead happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. We believe in the power of relationships to transform the lives of the people we support. We help build a more caring, compassionate, and inclusive Scotland, relationship by relationship. As the largest provider of autism specific services in Scotland our responsibility is to champion the voices and rights of autistic people.

This is an exciting time to join Scottish Autism as a senior leader with responsibility for our commissioned and regulated services for autistic adults and young people. Our diverse range of services include education, day, and vocational opportunities, residential, supported living, outreach, and specialist transition support. Our people play an important role in delivering quality services and creating a world where autistic people are valued and empowered to fulfil their potential. Part of the role will include focusing on growth and development of the services.

Our service colleagues work in teams, supporting each other through the challenges and triumphs that happen every day. You will be a valued member of the Regional Leadership Team working collectively to shape and deliver our strategy and play a pivotal role in helping us achieve our mission. You will lead on the delivery of diverse and innovative high-quality services, as well as identify service development and growth opportunities.

With the focus on ongoing delivery, consolidation, and development of new services, we require an individual who is innovative and creative to develop these effectively. This will be in partnership with key stakeholders, supported individuals, parents and health professionals. Our leadership culture is about creating a positive, constructive, and supportive environment for the people we support, and our staff whom they depend on. You will also lead and influence partnership working, with Local Authority Commissioners, Care Inspectorate and SSSC to ensure all contractual obligations are fulfilled while meeting care standards.

The suitable candidate will lead our West of Scotland and Orkney services, with a mixture of Housing Support and Outreach Support Services. You will have a relevant professional qualification in a related discipline and management experience. You will be responsible for overseeing the services provided within this area and as such will be an effective leader, coach, communicator, negotiator with the ability to influence and challenge, building strong relationships across multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring advanced autism practice.

This is a great opportunity to build a role with both strategic and operational responsibilities and influence across an amazing organisation and sector. For an informal discussion or more information about the role and what Scottish Autism can offer you, please contact Caroline Shirlaw, People & Culture Business Partner Recruitment & Early Retention – caroline.shirlaw@scottishautism.org