MECOPP is Scotland’s leading Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) carers’ organisation providing a variety of care and support services to carers from BME and other marginalised communities.

The postholder will join a established Community Health Team – ‘Community Health Matters’ – to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities amongst Scotland’s Gypsy/Traveller community. The Community Health Team is part of a wider programme of work supporting the Gypsy/Traveller community which includes carer support, support for the cared for person, financial resilience, addressing food insecurity, men and women’s engagement and building digital capacity.

Our newly established community mental health and wellbeing team sits within the wider remit of the Gypsy/Traveller Community Health Team. At full complement the mental health and wellbeing team will comprise of: 1 x team leader (children & young people focus); 2.5 x family support workers (1 x adults/older people + 1.5 x children/young people). The development worker for adults and older people is already in post.

Our ambition is to pilot a confidential and trusted Scottish-wide service, employing people who understand/have empathy with the culture and traditions of the community. This service will be accessible to young Gypsy/Travellers and their families wherever they are living and available online, via telephone and face to face. It will link to local specialist services as appropriate. It will promote accessible and culturally appropriate information about mental health and well-being to Gypsy/Travellers and provide a single point of contact so that when young people move their service provider would remain a constant and involved presence to aid transitions.

lead on the development of a pilot training programme for mental health practitioners.

We anticipate that significant travel may be required so the location of the post is flexible although some attendance at the office will be required.

Delivery of all tasks and activities will be commensurate with the number of hours secured for the post.

MECOPP is Scotland’s leading Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) carers organisation providing a variety of care and support services to carers from BME and other marginalised communities.

This postholder will have lead responsibility for the following:

• Providing direct advocacy and casework support to members of the Gypsy/Traveller community;
• Raising awareness of housing/accommodation rights and entitlements within the Gypsy/Traveller community;
• Building the capacity of housing practitioners/providers to better understand and respond to the housing/accommodation needs of Gypsy/Travellers; and
• Identifying housing/accommodation issues to assist local and Scottish national government in the development of policy and practice.
• Policy- (working with/Influence future policy/strategies-ie SG/Las/Housing associations)
• Being part of relevant networks to advocate on behalf of MECOPP and the GT Community
• Working closely with wider team

The postholder will be part of a larger team currently delivering the following areas of work: carer support (adult and older people); young carer support; community health improvement including mental health and wellbeing and food insecurity; men and women’s participation; and, digital inclusion.

The geographic focus of the post is Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Perth & Kinross, Highlands, Moray and Angus.

Delivery of all tasks and activities will be commensurate with the number of hours secured for the post.

As a Learning & Events Coordinator you will have key role in the successful design, delivery and evaluation of the Children in Scotland Learning Programme. This includes jointly creating a sector-leading, innovative and financially sustainable programme that supports and connects the children’s sector workforce.

As a Learning & Events Coordinator you will take a lead on the logistics of the delivery of the programme, ensuring that everyone has a good learning experience that is in alignment with Children in Scotland’s values and approach to accessibility.

This is an exciting opportunity to work for a national children’s charity, focused on making a positive difference to the lives of children across Scotland through the learning opportunities we provide.

We are looking a positive, proactive and motivated team player to work with us on the development and delivery of our Learning Programme.

Working in a busy, values-driven environment, this role provides a fantastic opportunity to work with Children in Scotland staff, partners across the sector, practitioners and children and young people themselves to support all our work and deliver our learning and events activity.

Underpinned by our values, our work is focussed on us achieving our vision that all children have an equal chance to flourish. Our Strategic Plan and annual Delivery Plans provide the detail of how we go about achieving this.

Because this is a maternity cover, you will need to be ready to hit the ground running but we will offer you an excellent induction, support and development opportunities.

You will join a brilliant group of supportive staff who are passionate about making a difference to children’s lives and work hard to achieve this.

About Children in Scotland

Giving all children in Scotland an equal chance to flourish is at the heart of everything we do.

By bringing together a network of people working with and for children, alongside children and young people themselves, we offer a broad, balanced and independent voice. We create solutions, provide support and develop positive change across all areas affecting children in Scotland. We do this by listening, gathering evidence, and applying and sharing our learning, while always working to uphold children’s rights.

Our range of knowledge and expertise means we can provide trusted support on issues as diverse as the people we work with and the varied lives of children and families in Scotland.

Diversity

Children in Scotland values the contribution of all our staff, whatever their background. Our recruitment decisions are based on fair, open processes, with appointment on merit. We welcome applications from everyone.

Further information

For an informal chat about the job, please contact Lizz Toomey, Senior Learning & Events officer, by email on ltoomey@childreninscotland.org.uk

The role of the Polish Community Link Worker involves supporting the Polish community in Edinburgh by providing access to public and other support services. This position plays a crucial role in connecting individuals with activities, services, and support to meet their physical, emotional, and social needs, thus promoting self-care and empowering community members.

Key Responsibilities:

• Information and Support: Provide advice and guidance to Polish and other Central and Eastern European (CEE) community members to help them access support and eliminate barriers to their rights and entitlements.
• Service Access: Support individuals in engaging with prescribed services, including accompanying them to appointments when necessary.
• Liaison and Advocacy: Work with healthcare professionals, social services, and community organisations to uphold clients' rights and inform colleagues about emerging issues.
• Awareness and Communication: Raise awareness about rights and available support through social media and other platforms.
• Case Management: Maintain accurate case notes and ensure data security in line with GDPR.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Track the impact of interventions, collect data for reports, and contribute to the organisation’s and Trustees' funding reports.
• Networking: Participate in events to build professional links and raise the organisation's profile.
• Other Duties: Perform other job-related duties as required.

Essential Criteria:

• Education: Educated to SCQF Level 6 or equivalent.
• Experience: Minimum of two years in a role involving direct engagement with marginalised or hard-to-reach groups.
• Skills: Strong interpersonal, communication, and ICT skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
• Language: Fluent in English and Polish.
• Attributes: Passionate about equality and human rights, emotionally resilient, and flexible in approach to work.

Desirable Criteria:

• Professional Qualifications: Relevant qualifications in fields such as social work, healthcare, psychology, or community development.
• Charity Experience: Experience working in a charity environment.
• Specialist Knowledge: Understanding of issues affecting the Polish community, including mental health, domestic abuse, and immigration.
• Additional Languages: Ability to communicate in other Central/Eastern European languages.

About Feniks:

Founded in 2007, Feniks has grown from a small charity to a thriving organisation supporting the well-being and rights of Edinburgh's CEE migrant communities. With a range of services including counselling, psychotherapy, and outreach activities, Feniks responds dynamically to the evolving needs of the communities it serves.

Additional Information:

• Support and Supervision: The role includes access to in-house clinical supervision due to the emotional demands of the work.
• Flexible Working: While many services operate on a hybrid basis post-Covid-19, this role requires some office and face-to-face engagement.
• PVG Membership: Membership in the PVG Scheme is required due to the nature of the role.