We are seeking a new member of staff to join our team delivering community mental health and wellbeing services within West Lothian.

Our community mental health and wellbeing service in West Lothian supports people aged 55 and over in a variety of ways to live the life they want to live. Our approach is recovery focussed and works alongside people; drawing on their personal strengths and assets within their local communities.

Extensive travel should be expected as part of this role, and as such a driving licence/access to your own transport would be advantageous.

If you have experience in development work, supporting people with their mental health and wellbeing and are passionate about enabling people to fulfil their potential, we’d love to hear from you!

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 centered support to people living with dementia and their families for a minimum of a year following diagnosis in line the Scottish Government’s minimum guarantee.

The aim of the PDS National Service is to enable people to live well with dementia and is centered 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 Lothian locality, the post will be based within the Older Adult Community Mental Health Team, East Lothian Community Hospital, Haddington, EH41 3PF. 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.

The successful candidate for this post will be subject to a criminal check through Disclosure Scotland.

As a Senior Practitioner, I take responsibility for my own work and have a responsibility in assisting or supervising others in the team to achieve the overall team/service outcomes. I have a lead role in developing my part of the service/project.

I am responsible for one-to-one support including carrying a case load and developing and reviewing personal support plans; I work autonomously being able to judge when I refer to my Manager and I take a lead role in developing the service.

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

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

What I do and what I achieve

· I work closely with the Project Manager, Locality Manager or Area Manager to achieve strategic outcomes

· I compile and review service user development plans ensuring outcomes are being achieved

· I establish supportive relationships with each individual, encouraging individual responsibility and decision-making to maximise choice, control and self-management.

· I ensure that people I support are connected to other Change Mental Health services in the area as appropriate

· I provide advice and guidance to new or less experienced employees in my own area of responsibility

· My focus is ensuring continuity of service within the context of Change Mental Health values and strategic outcomes

· I ensure that careful and ongoing review systems are in place and maintained

· I build positive working relationships with local partners to better support our service users and to promote the work of Change Mental Health

· I develop new services/approaches in response to unmet need

· I collate information and prepare agency reports for line management as required

· I have a lead role to oversee that all Health and Safety responsibilities within practice settings are fulfilled

Who I am

· I am educated to SVQ 3 level or have experience working in mental health

· I work well in a team setting but can also work autonomously

· I have a sound theory base of social care interventions including risk assessment

· My value base is consistent with the aims and objectives of Change Mental Health

· I apply an analytical approach to problems in order to find solutions

· I am competent in planning and reviewing development plans and taking appropriate action if needed

· My I.T skills are of a good standard

· I recognise the importance of providing professional support and supervision to practitioners

· I have a sound knowledge of Health and Social care policy in Scotland and can apply this to my role

· I am keen to develop my knowledge and skills and attend training as required

I may also have

· Experience of delivering a Registered Service and meeting SSSC requirements

General Duties

· Act in accordance with General Data Protection Regulation legislation. Ensure all records, personal, staff and client data are managed in line with Data Management and Information Governance policies

· Comply with legal and regulatory requirements such as provisions set out in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

· As with all employees, workers and volunteers; to encourage people to join Change Mental Health as a member, donor or activist

· To act in accordance with the charity’s Health & Safety and Safeguarding policies and to notify your line manager promptly if there are any concerns

· To participate in regular supervision and appraisal and undertake any relevant training as appropriate to the role

· To support and enable our dedicated teams of volunteers in the delivery of the charity’s aims

· To work in accordance with the charity’s national policies and local operating procedures and those of external regulators or professional bodies

· This job profile and list of duties is not exhaustive and serves only to highlight the main requirements. The line manager may stipulate other reasonable requirements and projects commensurate with the general profile and grade of the post.

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 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 Highland locality, the post will be based within the Community Mental Health Team at Nairn Town & County Hospital, Nairn. 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 license and access to a car.