Are you passionate about helping people to live a better life? Do you want to work for a charity where your health and wellbeing matter just as much as the people you support? Do you want to be part of a trauma-informed team where you will be supported to develop creative and flexible ways of working?

You don’t need to have previous experience or qualifications in this field. If you share our values, this could be the role for you!

At LinkLiving, our values and people are at the heart of everything we do including how we recruit our staff. It is important for us to find people who share our values, which are:

• Empathy (listen to and understand an individual’s needs and circumstances)
• Respect (treat others the way they wish to be treated)
• Integrity (be honest and have strong moral principles
• Caring (show kindness and concern for others)

LinkLiving is a Scottish health and wellbeing charity that supports people to manage or overcome the effects of negative life experiences (including trauma, mental health challenges, poverty and inequality) so that they can build on their strengths and aspirations in order to live their best possible lives. We support people through a range of models including:

• Personal development and employability programmes

• Self-help coaching

• Supported accommodation

• Care at home

• Housing support

• Befriending

• Social cafes

The Service

Our Edinburgh Mental Health Services is made up of five teams of support workers who provide visiting tenancy support across Edinburgh to people experiencing mental ill health. The service also has a Core and Cluster accommodation service which provides more intensive support to people who have spent time in long-term hospital care. Our support enables the people we work with to live as independently as possible in their own home and improve their mental and physical health.

The Job

We have an exciting opportunity for ambitious and motivated Support Workers to join our team and improve the lives of people supported by our Edinburgh Mental Health Services.

In this role, you will be supported to work using a person centred and trauma informed approach and develop effective relationships with people affected by a range of mental health problems, supporting them to cope in difficult times and working towards recovery and a good life. You will provide emotional, practical and social support to enable people to live as independently as possible and make informed choices in all aspects of their lives.

This role involves the administration of medication to some of the individuals we support. Full training will be provided for this.

For a comprehensive list of the essential and desirable criteria required for this post, please refer to the Job Specification in the Job information Pack above.

What’s in it for you?

The benefits of being a LinkLiving employee (subject to the policies and benefit terms and conditions) include:

• Competitive salary, reviewed annually, and opportunity for annual performance related salary increases and discretionary non-consolidated pay awards, subject to terms of the scheme

• 35 days’ holiday per year (inclusive of public holidays) pro rata plus additional 3 days pro rata after 3 years’ service

• opportunity to buy and sell holiday

• enhanced company sick and family friendly pay

• access to paid SVQ qualifications and a wide range of learning and development opportunities

• funded Disclosure Scotland and Scottish Social Services Council memberships

• defined contribution pension scheme with generous employer contributions plus salary exchange and additional voluntary contribution options

• access to an Electric vehicle leasing scheme, subject to the terms of the scheme

• life assurance scheme providing death in service benefits to named beneficiaries

• healthcare cash plan for employees (and dependents) to support health and wellbeing plus discounts on shopping, restaurants, and other services

• employee assistance programme for employees and their immediate household dependants to support health, mental and financial well-being

• annual flu vaccination

• access to a savings and borrowing scheme

• cycle to work scheme

• monthly bus pass scheme

• season/travel ticket loan and much more!

For a full list of benefits available to employees, please see the following link - linkliving.org.uk/work-with-us

Successful applicants will be required to apply for registration with SSSC within 3 months of their start date and be registered within 6 months.

This post is subject to Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme registration. Link will meet the cost of any new PVG scheme membership or scheme record update.

Further Information

Interested? If you have any questions about the role, please email jobs@linkhaltd.co.uk and we can arrange for someone from the service to call you for an informal chat.

To find out more about what LinkLiving do and to view the generous pay and benefits package, please visit our website at linkliving.org.uk

If you’re thinking about working in adult social care, download the Guide to adult social care jobs in Scotland for in-depth information on everything you need to know to get started. In addition, you can enrol on a free, online 6 week part-time tutor-supported ‘Introduction to a Career in Social Care’ course. The course introduces the area of social care and can be a stepping-stone to employment or further training.

Are you passionate about helping people to live a better life? Do you want to work for a charity where your health and wellbeing matter just as much as the people you support? Do you want to be part of a trauma-informed team where you will be supported to develop creative and flexible ways of working?

At LinkLiving, our values and people are at the heart of everything we do including how we recruit our staff. It is important for us to find people who share our values, which are:

• Empathy (listen to and understand an individual’s needs and circumstances)
• Respect (treat others the way they wish to be treated)
• Integrity (be honest and have strong moral principles)
• Caring (show kindness and concern for others)

LinkLiving is a Scottish health and wellbeing charity that supports people to manage or overcome the effects of negative life experiences (including trauma, mental health challenges, poverty and inequality) so that they can build on their strengths and aspirations in order to live their best possible lives. We support people through a range of models including:

• Personal development and employability programmes
• Self-help coaching
• Supported accommodation
• Care at home
• Housing support
• Befriending
• Social cafes

The Service

The Link Academy team works primarily with people with complex backgrounds. The service works hard and creatively to maintain the early engagement of participants. We support people by offering mental health and wellbeing programmes, independent living skills and a wide range of qualifications to support their progression including employability, tenancy, personal development and leadership award qualifications.

The Job

The purpose of the job is to support people to achieve their goals and aspirations through group work by providing opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills. You will be responsible for recruiting, training and supporting the programme participants. You will support the achievement of high standards and provide monitoring information in relation to the project’s outcomes.

You will ensure that opportunities are provided to people equipping them with the skills to make a valuable contribution to the service and their wider community. You will support people into a positive destination whether that be re-engagement with education, training or employment. The Project Worker will provide support and offer guidance to programme participants, develop relationships with other agencies and services and actively promote LinkLiving’s programmes and services.

About You

You will have a good standard of education with standard grade passes (or equivalent) in core subjects such as English and Maths. Your background includes a proven track record of co-ordinating training courses, showcasing your organisational and logistical skills. You are knowledgeable about the Trauma Skilled Practice Framework (NES Framework) and understand its application. Additionally, you have experience working with individuals who have complex needs or backgrounds, demonstrating your ability to handle diverse and challenging situations.

Proficiency in using the Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, is essential. You possess a solid understanding of the employability sector and volunteering initiatives, enabling you to contribute effectively to our mission. Your excellent written and oral communication skills allow you to convey information clearly and effectively.

You have experience in developing and delivering training programmes, showing your ability to educate and inspire others. Understanding and applying evaluation methods to ensure the effectiveness of training is another of your strengths, ensuring continuous improvement. You possess a non-judgemental attitude and a willingness to embrace diversity, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.

Adaptability is one of your key traits, allowing you to thrive in new environments and challenges with ease. You work openly and honestly within a team setting, contributing to a collaborative and supportive work culture. Your ability to prioritise and plan your workload, as well as that of team members, ensures efficient and effective task management.

You are skilled in creating and maintaining relationships and partnerships with other voluntary, employability networks, and statutory agencies. Possessing a valid driver's license, you are willing and able to travel between services as required.

For a comprehensive list of the essential and desirable criteria required for this post, please refer to the Job Specification in the Job information Pack.

What’s in it for you?

The benefits of being a LinkLiving employee (subject to the policies and benefit terms and conditions) include:

• Competitive salary, reviewed annually, and opportunity for annual performance related salary increases and discretionary non-consolidated pay awards, subject to terms of the scheme
• 35 days’ holiday per year (inclusive of public holidays) pro rata plus additional 3 days pro rata after 3 years’ service
• opportunity to buy and sell holiday
• enhanced company sick and family friendly pay
• access to paid SVQ qualifications and a wide range of learning and development opportunities
• funded Disclosure Scotland and Scottish Social Services Council memberships
• defined contribution pension scheme with generous employer contributions plus salary exchange and additional voluntary contribution options
• access to an Electric vehicle leasing scheme, subject to the terms of the scheme
• life assurance scheme providing death in service benefits to named beneficiaries
• healthcare cash plan for employees (and dependents) to support health and wellbeing plus discounts on shopping, restaurants, and other services
• employee assistance programme for employees and their immediate household dependants to support health, mental and financial well-being
• annual flu vaccination
• access to a savings and borrowing scheme
• cycle to work scheme
• monthly bus pass scheme
• season/travel ticket loan and much more!

This post is subject to Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme registration. Link will meet the cost of any new PVG scheme membership or scheme record update.

Are you passionate about working with people in a person-centred way? Do you want to make a big difference to the lives of people in recovery?

If so, then our Key Worker role may be the one for you.

About LEAP out of Hours Care service

We support up to 11 participants at a time to live within our therapeutic community, where we provide a supportive and safe space.

During the day, participants attend the NHS Lothian and Edinburgh Abstinence Project (LEAP). This is an intensive programme for those who want to stop drinking or using drugs. The programme is delivered over 12 weeks and participants attend a structured programme Monday to Friday.

In the evenings and on weekends we provide support, a friendly ear, and therapeutic activities to the community.

About the role

As part of a small, dedicated team you will work to ensure the community is a homely, welcoming and safe space that supports participants in their recovery journey: Your main duties will involve:

• Providing emotional support to participants

• Encouraging participants to take part in activities

• Providing and receiving handovers from colleagues and the core programme therapy team

• Your shifts will involve lone working and sleepovers at our Marchfield property

The shift pattern for this role is Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9:45pm-9:45am (plus 1 hour team meeting)

About You

We are looking for someone who is great at building relationships and maintaining strong professional boundaries. You should also be:

• Confident making decisions and working on your own

• An excellent communicator with great organisational skills

• Knowledgeable or have lived experience of the issues that lead to or affect addiction

How we’ll support you

You’ll be joining an experienced and knowledgeable team who will give you full training on all aspects of your role. You’ll also have access to wider Cyrenians support, including our learning and development programme, and staff wellbeing services.

Read more about our values.

The Supported Housing Worker role requires assisting in the management of the development thus ensuring the tenants are able to enjoy an acceptable standard of living in an environment which is clean, safe and friendly. You will be responsible for overseeing the wellbeing of the tenants and for assisting them in maintaining their independence.

As Housing Care Worker your role will involve working with our tenants to ensure they receive the support and personal care identified in their care plans. You will directly support tenants in their homes by providing individual advice, practical housing support assistance and personal care.

Both roles are to ensure that we are able to offer the best service to our tenants and make it possible for our tenants to continue enjoying as much independent living as they’re able.

As well as a competitive annual salary, our valued team also benefits from:

• competitive hourly rates of £12.25 - £12.50 per hour
• guaranteed rota hours working between 7.30am & 10pm
• generous annual leave entitlement
• a choice of pension scheme with employer contributions
• flexible working policies
• access to extensive paid training and development opportunities
• a supportive and inclusive culture.

We also have opportunities with our Trust Staff Agency - for employees who want to work across different locations, in various roles, with highly flexible hours to suit family commitments - it's a great opportunity with the same training and development that our other roles benefit from.

Previous experience working in social care or the housing sector would be an advantage but this is not always necessary. Our ideal candidate is someone with enthusiasm, a caring nature and willingness to learn as full training, support and ongoing development will be provided.