Are you a creative and motivated individual with the passion and drive to support people with a recent diagnosis of dementia to live well in their community?

If so, you can be part of a National Team of Post Diagnostic Support Link Workers (PDS Link Workers) providing high-quality, person-centred support to people living with dementia and their families for a minimum of a year following diagnosis in line with the Scottish Government’s minimum guarantee.

The aim of the PDS National Service is to enable people to live well with dementia and is centred around Alzheimer Scotland's 5 pillar model so that people move on to a period of supported self- management.

The model includes understanding the illness and coming to terms with the diagnosis, peer support, connecting and maintaining links with their community along with planning for future care and decision making to develop an outcome focused plan to support their future hopes, desires and aspirations.

Supporting our East Renfrewshire locality, the post will be based within the Community Mental Health Team. Alzheimer Scotland’s PDS Link Workers are required to be effective team workers and have the skills to build and maintain relationships with colleagues both within Alzheimer Scotland, the NHS and other stakeholders.

Skills in using digital platforms are essential as we use a blended approach to support people that involve some virtual meetings and on-line groups.

Applicants must hold a recognised relevant professional qualification, have a good understanding of dementia and how it affects people and their families along with excellent communication skills, a warm flexible approach, combined with skills in empathy and relationship building.

In addition, you should have skills and knowledge at the Enhanced Level of the Promoting Excellence Framework or be able to evidence you are working towards its completion.

This post requires a full driving licence and access to a car.

We are offering an exciting opportunity for a new member of staff to join our team and be part of a ground-breaking approach to mental health services!

Thrive Edinburgh brings together a collaboration of partner organisations who work together to improve the mental health and wellbeing of people across the city, with the aim of supporting people to live well and fulfil their potential.

We are looking for an experienced Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner to join our North-West Edinburgh Thrive Welcome Team, someone with at least two years of experience in delivering mental health support. This role is part of a multidisciplinary team, including Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioners, Peer Workers, Mental Health Nurses, Occupational Therapists and Social Workers. Together we deliver a multi-disciplinary approach, so people can access support when and how they need it.

You will support the delivery of regular Thrive Drop Ins in North-West Edinburgh. You will also deliver short-term individual support, improving people’s mental health and wellbeing, supporting self-management and community connections through the person-centred support you offer.

If you have experience of delivering mental health support and are interested in this opportunity, we’d love to hear from you!

Change Mental Health is a leading national mental health charity providing unique support to people with severe and enduring mental ill health. With over 50 years’ experience across Scotland, we believe people affected by poor mental health and illness deserve the highest quality of support in the community and that every person has the right to be valued and to share in the opportunities, challenges, and joys of everyday life.

As a Senior Practitioner, you will be responsible for one-to-one support including carrying a case load and developing and reviewing personal support plans; you will work autonomously, being able to judge when to refer to your manager and you will take a lead role in developing the service.

You will work mainly on a one-to-one basis in the community and/or in people’s homes; and you may support group and other activities in the Change Mental Health Resource Centre – although one to one support will be your main focus.

You will support the Locality, Service, and Area Managers in their strategic role to meet national and funder criteria. You will work closely with partners in the community to identify gaps in the service when and where they arise and implement solutions in partnership with your line manager.

An exciting position has become available for a Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) Worker based in our small established team covering West Lothian. The service provides swift access to a compassionate response and provision of short-term support to assist people to deal with their experience of distress. The service is part of the national Scottish Government DBI programme and works in keeping with their policies and guidelines.

Organisation:

We are a Lanarkshire based charitable company with over 40 years’ experience providing a range of community based mental health and wellbeing services. We currently provide a range of services across Lanarkshire and West Lothian, as well as an information resource, charity shop, café and wellbeing centre. We are a Gold accredited IIP organisation.

Role Requirements:

An understanding of mental health issues.

Ability to treat people in a non-judgemental and supportive manner.

Experience of working with people in challenging situations.

Excellent communication skills and a positive can-do attitude.

Ability to build rapport easily and maintain positive and effective communications.

Able to work independently in a proactive manner.

Confident in working closely with other professionals, G.P.’s, and community agencies.

Able to contribute to and work in conjunction with fellow staff to support organisational initiatives and developments in a uniform and positive manner.

Basic IT skills, working knowledge of office 365 desirable.

Why should you apply?

The chance to join a well-established company.

Opportunity to join a fantastic team.

Fully funded SVQ qualification to meet SSSC requirements.

Ongoing support for personal development needs.

PVG Fees reimbursed.

Annual performance related reward scheme in operation.