Can you work with a local community to encourage their explorations of the Christian faith?

We are looking for someone with a deep and mature Christian faith who has experience of working across communities, and working with families and Under-40s to join our Christian Outreach Leadership team and work alongside a vibrant and enthusiastic team of volunteers.

Our Full-Time Christian Outreach Leader who will play a key leadership role within the Dunblane Church of Scotland Grouping (DCG), to reach out across the community of Dunblane (Perthshire, Scotland). With a strong focus on those under the age of 40, the post holder will explore, coordinate and deliver ways in which connections can be made to those in the community who might be encouraged to explore the Christian faith. The role holder will undertake a range of Community Outreach duties that will look at, and deliver, patterns of worship more relevant to this age group.

Please note that this role is currently funded through an award received from Seeds For Change and is for a 3 year period in the first instance after which other funds to support the role will need to be found.

Organisation profile:

The Dunblane Church of Scotland Grouping (DCG), Dunblane Cathedral and St. Blane's wish to consolidate and further develop previous outreach work in the parishes, which started to draw the Churches in the grouping together in a new way. The Dunblane community covers parishes of around 13,000 people of which approximately 41% are under the age of 40yrs and 42% of the population state they have no religion. There is a strong and cohesive sense of community expressed by residents, a variety of opportunities available, often at cost, and excellent uniformed organisations in the area. However, there are also issues of isolation, lack of youth space and a desire to form new worshipping communities.

The Christian Outreach Leader will work within the existing ministry team within the DCG, supported by the Leadership Team (LT), which comprises seven elders and members from Dunblane Cathedral & St. Blane’s, and existing volunteer groups within the grouping to deliver on the aims and objectives of this role. The role holder is expected to participate, on an agreed basis, in worship at churches within the DCG.

The role holder will report to the LT on a quarterly basis to monitor progress and steer direction of the Christian Outreach Activities. The LT will then report to the respective Kirk Sessions of the two churches.

Please note that it is an essential requirement of this role that the post-holder is a committed Christian with a live church connection, which is a Genuine Occupational Requirement in terms of the Equality Act 2010.

About Simon Community Scotland

Simon Community Scotland is the largest provider of homelessness services in Scotland.

Our vision is for everyone to have a safe place to live with access to the support they need. Every day we help make positive things happen for people facing extremely difficult circumstances.

Everything we do is about and for people: the people we support, our staff, our partners and everyone affected by homelessness.

Our values are built into every area of activity and tell the story of how people remain at the heart of the Simon Community.

Job Summary

The Simon Community is Scotland's leading homeless charity. We are creative and innovative. We get things done with care and compassion that make a difference to our community, being true to our values. We are a community of staff, volunteers and the people that we support.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about changing expectations and experiences of people we support, many of whom have experienced significant trauma, exclusion and stigma. They often engage in risk taking behaviours that put their physical and mental health, and their lives at risk. Despite the challenges they face they have incredible resilience, survival skills and a wicked sense of humour. They know what a good, and not so good service looks like.

As a residential support worker you will:

- support the development of life skills and homemaking in preparation for a tenancy,

- provide emotional support,

- help to reduce harm caused by homelessness and trauma.

Job Purpose

As a support worker it will be your job to work with a team to:

- Help people in our community to manage and recover their mental health

- Support people who use drugs and alcohol to do so as safely as possible

- Support people who choose to reduce or stop their drug and alcohol use to do so safely

- Help people in our community to build a positive network of connections that will help them to gain and sustain their own housing

- Provide emotional and practical support to our community

- Any other duties directed by your service lead

Key Responsibilities

Our values support:

- Warmth and positive regard

- Inclusion and participation

- Innovation and personalisation of care and support

- Ambition

- Partnership

- Learning and leadership

Your key responsibilities to support those values will be:

- Developing honest and open relationships with our community that foster trust

- Using our training and reflective practice to develop additional skills to support and respond appropriately to our community who have experienced trauma

- Working with people in our community with a wide range of experiences and cultural backgrounds with dignity, respect and kindness

- Working as part of a team with a range of experiences and knowledge to the benefit of our community

- Supporting our community to influence their care and support to meet their goals - Fostering connection, hope, a positive identity and meaning in life and a sense of control for our community

- Working with other teams in SCS and with partners to support good outcomes for our community

- Seeking opportunities that will make a difference to our community

- Ensuring that our places reflect the respect we hold for our community

Person Specification

Training and Qualifications:

Essential:

- SVQ 3 social care or willing to work towards

- SSSC Registered or willing to become so

Desirable:

- Trauma informed practice

- Assist/MHFA/SafeTalk trained

- Naloxone trained

- Mental health or addictions qualifications

Experience

Essential:

- Experience of providing support to people with a range of challenges including homelessness, mental ill health and addictions

- Experience of working in a fast paced environment which requires quick decision making

Desirable:

- Lived experience of homelessness

- Experience of working with a range of agencies as a team

- Networking and connecting skills

Knowledge and Skills

Essential:

- Experience of working with people with a variety of individual and cultural beliefs

- Ability to use empathy and relational skills to build positive relationships with our community and colleagues

- Understanding of and ability to work within ethical and relational boundaries

Desirable:

- Knowledge and understanding of homelessness, addictions and mental health

- Understanding of services that support homelessness,addictions and mental health

- Evidence of good communication skills, written, verbal and digital

Personal

Essential:

- Able to lead by example.

- A team player.

- A desire to learn and to develop innovative practice

- Honest, ethical and keen to overcome obstacles

- Flexible, responsive

About Simon Community Scotland

People are at the heart of who we are and what we do. Day-by-day, person-to-person, we tailor what we offer to what people need. We’re here to provide consistent, friendly and informed support so that people can explore options and take ‘the next step’ towards a positive future. We welcome people with a wide range of skills and experiences to our team – including those who have lived through homelessness. To make a difference we need to work flexibly, with everyday-leadership, humour and a ‘can do’ spirit. We want to make it easy, make it right, and make it happen – not only for the people we support, but also for each other. Our #OneTeam ethos is core to who we are, and it means caring for and supporting each other regardless of our role, service or location. This is how we roll. We want people who share these values to join us and become a part of the Simon Community Scotland family.

Job Summary

The Simon Community is Scotland's leading homeless charity. We are creative and innovative. We get things done with care and compassion that make a difference to our community, being true to our values. We are a community of staff, volunteers and the people that we support.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about changing expectations and experiences of people we support, many of whom have experienced significant trauma, exclusion and stigma. They often engage in risk taking behaviours that put their physical and mental health, and their lives at risk. Despite the challenges they face they have incredible resilience, survival skills and a wicked sense of humour. They know what a good, and not so good service looks like.

Job Role

Working in pairs and supported by a team of volunteers, our RSVP Street Outreach Team has a 365 day presence across Glasgow City Centre. The team provides practical and emotional support to people who are currently or are at risk of sleeping rough in Glasgow including those who are/have been subject to immigration control. This includes refused asylum seekers, people awaiting settlement under the EUSS, and recently granted refugees.

We support people to access accommodation, engage with health and wellbeing services as well as a wide range of support services.

The team work to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with a range of external partners (local authorities, support providers, emergency services, the home office etc) to ensure the support we provide is co-ordinated and minimises the number of nights an individual sleeps rough.

We adopt a harm reduction approach in our practice and an element of this includes providing harm reduction equipment, advice and Naloxone. Full training is provided.

This service primarily engages with people in Glasgow City Centre, however, we also support people in the South and West of the City. We are supported by our volunteer led StreetCycles Service to engage with and support these individuals.

The 3 teams within RSVP (The Access HUB, Street Outreach Team & Intensive Outreach Support Service) work closely together to provide joined-up, cohesive support for the Individuals we support. These roles require the flexibility to work across all RSVP services if necessary and availability to work shifts 7 days per week, 365 days per year.

These roles also require a level of visibility, promotion of Simon Community Scotland, interaction with members of the public and the ability to walk a number of miles in all weather conditions.

The Vacancy: As a skilled Social Care Manager, you will be joining a team of five other Support Advisor’s who are dedicated to supporting the people we work for to live their good lives. Across the Lanarkshire area, we support around 30 people who receive varying support from committed and dedicated teams, supporting people to live in their own home and be a valued part of their community. You will work alongside your Area Lead to manage and develop highly bespoke services designed with the people we work for at the centre.

The Brief: Support people we work for to live their good life…To achieve this, you will be part of a friendly and supportive team of experienced Support Advisors who walk alongside people we work to manage their support. You will ensure each person we work for receives high quality, personalised and aspirational support which keeps them at centre of everything. You will ensure that people we work for are empowered to enjoy everyday living and are part of the community they live in. You will be outcome focused and have a keen eye for detail to ensure people we work for have the high-quality support they deserve.

About You:You will have a proven track record in Social Care Leadership, including management of team members and supporting people to achieve their outcomes. You will be authentic, flexible, patient and be able to plan ahead. You will be assertive, confident, resilient and be able to think outside the box to solve problems that may arise. You need to be a team player and a self-starter all at once who thrives on doing good work. You will be able to adopt a supporting and coaching management style with the team members you line manage to get the best out of support teams working with people we work for as well as experience of performance management.

Your Skills: Experience of working with adults with additional support needs is essential as is a knowledge of Self Direct Support. If you have knowledge of Individual Service Funds, this is also desirable. It is essential that you can demonstrate excellent communication skills, be IT savvy, and be able to plan & prioritise your workload independently. You will have an in-depth knowledge of Person Centred Planning and developing detailed Care Plans. You should also have experience of working alongside a wealth of multi-disciplinary colleagues and be able to build positive relationships with families and loved ones of the people we work for. At heart, you will be a people person who can connect people we work for to their communities and have a ‘can do’ approach.

A relevant qualification in line with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) (an SVQ 3 in Health & Social Care) or a willingness to undertake study to achieve this is a requirement of this role.

The Reward: Be part of a dynamic, forward-thinking organisation working actively to promote and implement a human rights-based approach and active citizenship, supporting people to live their best lives and being a key player in teamwork.

This role is to cover the Motherwell Locality in North Lanarkshire but may include work in other localities when required. This role is hybrid, working from our base in Bellshill, the communities where people we work for live, and some home working. Occasional travel to other areas to attend training/meetings can be a requirement of the role.

Perks of the Post:

• Paid PVG and SSSC fees
• 30 days annual leave - rising to 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Life Assurance
• Access to Discount Scheme
• Cycle to Work and Tech Scheme
• Credit Union Affiliation
• Health Plan
• Flexible working options

Next Steps:

For an informal chat or further information, contact Ryan (Area Lead) on 07885803772 or if you feel ready to apply now, click the link.