Values in Action Scotland (VIAS) is recruiting for the newly created post of Development Lead, based in Aberdeen. Reporting to the Chief Executive Office, this exciting opportunity will give the role holder scope to help VIAS reach a wider target audience, and to grow and develop the organisation’s brand and message.

Background

Values in Action Scotland is a small national voluntary organisation who run a Quality Improvement Service. Our vision is for a Scotland where people with learning disabilities and/or autism have the same opportunities as everyone else and are supported to achieve their goals. Through our comprehensive portfolio of supported employment, training, consultancy and evaluation services we build capacity of organisations to ensure that people with learning disabilities and/ or autism live great lives with all the support they need to achieve this.

The Candidate

With a strong background in business development, the successful candidate will be confident in their ability to implement a three-year local business development plan to help grow VIAS and its service capabilities. With previous experience of researching prospective business in targeted markets, the role holder will develop and market a range of products and consultancy packages to attract new business and secure the sustainability of the organisation. The successful candidate will also have the ability to work with a range of stakeholders, demonstrating excellent interpersonal skills and an aptitude for building and nurturing successful partnerships. Ideally with experience of writing and submitting funding applications, candidates may also benefit from previous knowledge and understanding of issues and activities that relate to people with learning disabilities and/or autism.

What We Offer

We offer excellent training and development opportunities, competitive salary, contributory pension scheme and pro rata 32 days annual holiday (including bank holidays).

Further Details

The post is funded initially for 6 months but will be extended subject to application for additional funding.

VIAS will carry out a PVG check on the successful applicant.

For further information or an informal discussion, please call Norma Curran on 0141 212 3395.

Are you a skilled trainer who would like to make a real difference?

Would you love a training role that allows you to support people and faith communities to flourish as they navigate change, conflict, and differences well?

Then this exciting new role might be for you…

Job Summary

In its current 5-year strategy, ‘Choosing Peace in times of fear & division’, Place for Hope identified the growth of its training work as a key strategic goal. The Trainer (Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation) will play a critical role in the ongoing achievement of this goal of equipping more people and faith communities to be peacemakers as we work towards a more peaceful and reconciled world.

The post holder will support all work related to Place for Hope’s Training Programme, internal and external, both online and in-person training. They will develop and maintain delivery and administration elements of this role. They will share the vision and ethos of Place for Hope.

Previous experience of training (including facilitation, mentoring/coaching), collaborating and communicating effectively with different Christian denominations and faiths, as well as excellent organisational and communication skills are essential to the role. The ideal candidate would also have an interest in supporting faith communities to transform conflict and a willingness to engage with CPD which is provided to build your knowledge and skills in this area. This is an exciting time to join Place for Hope and play an important role in equipping individuals and faith communities to choose peace in times of fear and division.

Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau, is an independent and innovative advice organisation providing holistic advice and support to local people.

The Citizens Advice network in Scotland is set to deliver a comprehensive, enhanced support service called Help to Claim. Since April 2019 Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau, has provided the advice and support people need to submit their claim for Universal Credit and support them through to their first payment.

Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau is looking for a client-focused individual with experience of providing specialist level advice, to join as a Help to Claim Adviser (Universal Credit) and to help ensure clients get the support they need. This includes supporting with online forms, the evidence required, and verifying their identity online using face-to-face and telephone advice.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate relevant recent experience and knowledge of the welfare benefit system including Universal Credit. Applicants should also demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills, be well organised and be proficient in using a range of IT tools to carry out their work, including case recording systems, Microsoft Office, benefit check programmes and be able to make and manage benefit claims.

Committed, results-driven and supportive to the needs of others, the successful applicant will be able to work both on their own initiative as well as part of a team and must be willing to follow and develop agreed procedures.

This is a unique opportunity to give citizens access to free, impartial and confidential advice helping them to make informed decisions, whenever they need it and however they choose to access it.

Employee benefits

Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau offers excellent terms and conditions, including a total of 25 days (pro rata) annual leave plus public holidays and a pension scheme with a 6% employer contribution (min. 1% employee contribution). Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau is an inclusive employer considering flexible working arrangements where appropriate.

We take wellbeing seriously and have regular opportunities for wellbeing lunches and networking to support resilience in the work place.

Ark has been successfully supporting people with Learning Disabilities, Autism, Mental Health, and Complex Support needs to live good lives and make their home in their communities for 47 years. Providing over 16,000 hours of support a week, we currently support over 400 people across Scotland in 12 Local Authority areas.

Ark has a long history of supporting people using Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) approaches and we want to build on this by making a step change in the way we support staffs’ understanding and development, placing PBS at the heart of our service delivery.

To support our PBS strategy, we now have an exciting opportunity to join Ark’s newly established Practice Development Team as a Care & Support Practice Leader. Reporting to the Practice Development Manager, Care & Support Practice Leaders will promote a learning culture and lead on embedding a coaching and mentoring practices within their area.

This is a newly established team that will have a national reach within Arks services across Scotland.

You will play a key role in staff and managers’ development through building knowledge, capacity, and resilience within their teams. This role will mainly be based out in our services allowing you to support with identifying potential areas for improvement and work with managers and teams to find appropriate solutions while maintaining consistency of care for our supported people. You will be innovative and committed to continuous improvement, actively engaging in proactive reflective practice and feedback in your work activity. You will ensure that all developments are based on evidence and best practice.

There will be a focus on the implementation of our Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Strategy within this role. You will ensure PBS personal planning processes are carried out and based on appropriate assessments and understanding of behaviours, risk assessments and developed with the supported person, family, and other professionals.

As this is a new role for Ark there will be a real emphasis on ensuring that we review, adapt, and improve our processes regularly to ensure that Practice Leaders are providing the right support to managers, team members and supported people.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience of working with people who have a wide range of support needs and personal outcomes in a person-centred way in social care.
• Experience of working with people who have experienced trauma and may have been marginalised and with people with behaviours of concern, supporting them to better quality of life outcomes and access wider opportunities.
• Experience of taking a lead role within a team.
• Demonstratable experience of applying evidence and knowledge to decision making processes.
• Strong report writing skills.
• Demonstratable experience that shows the ability to coach and mentor others and successfully transferring embedded knowledge to others.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in order to communicate well with supported people and colleagues at all levels.
• Be able to demonstrate an accomplished level of skill used when directly supporting people.
• Willingness to travel to Arks Services throughout Scotland.

Does this sound like the perfect fit for you?

If you’d like to discuss the opportunity and find out more about the role, please contact Calum Robson, Practice Development Manager via email calum.robson@arkha.org.uk .

Find out more, download the Job Outline at arkha.org.uk/work-with-us

Please note this post will include travel across Ark services and while there will be some hybrid working flexibility within the role the majority of your working week you will be working within Arks services across Scotland.

Why Ark?

Hybrid Working: While mainly based in Arks services across Scotland there will be some flexibility for Hybrid working.

Flexible Working Times: Not a 9am - 5pm person. Arks allows you to flex your start & finish time in agreement with your line manager.

Employee Assistance Program: Arks Employee Assistance program (EAP) gives all employees access to counselling sessions. There is also support available through weekly webinars and the EAP Website & App.

Employee Discounts: Employee Discounts Portal with 1000s of discounts on your favourite brands including Supermarkets, Cinema Tickets, Gym Membership and Holidays.

In return for your valuable contribution, Ark will also offer you:

• Up to 36 days paid holiday per year pro rata
• 4% Contributory pension scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme

Ark is a major provider of Care and Support to people with long term and enduring conditions including learning disability, mental health issues, dementia and autism. As a Housing Association, we provide a range of accommodation much of which has been designed or adapted to meet the needs of people with disabilities.

Our aim is to create the best possible customer outcomes through our highly skilled people, the provision of high-quality affordable homes and excellent care.