About Simon Community Scotland

People are at the heart of who we are and what we do. We tailor our support to what people need. We offer consistent and informed support so that people can exploreoptions 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’ attitude. We want to make it easy, make it right, and make it happen.

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 form a community; of staff, volunteers and the people that we support.

Job Summary

Simon Community Scotland is working collaboratively with the University of Edinburgh to recruit 400 people from sites across Scotland to the Phoenix for severe and multiple disadvantage study. You will be working in various sites across Edinburgh to support the research team and the people we support that are participating in the study.

We are looking for someone with a non-judgemental approach that will be embedded in one of our new exciting projects: Beggars and Choices or Creating Safer Communities. These projects engage with people who are homeless, roofless or street begging across the city. The work will take place wherever people are at; on the streets, in services or community settings as required.

Job Purpose

• Support people rough sleeping, begging and or engaged in harmful street lifestyles to access the services and support they need
• Offer assertive outreach to people facing homelessness and rooflessness
• Offer trauma informed care offering a holistic healthcare model
• Bring services to people that are unable to engage in building based services
• Identify eligible participants to the study and liaise with the research team regarding this
• Conduct face-to-face interviews with participants supporting the research team
• Reduce barriers for people that are facing multiple marginalisation through offering a person centred, trauma informed relational model of care

Could you be part of something different? We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to use their gifts, skills and experience to make a difference to the lives of the people in our parishes and communities.

We are looking for someone to be part of a new chapter in ministry in this enlarged parish where a deferred union is happening, re-establishing worship and outreach by developing deeper connections with the community at the refurbished building in Newtongrange reopens as a community hub.

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.

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Homelessness and Prevention

Turning Point Scotland is the biggest provider of services to people experiencing or at risk of Homelessness across Scotland, delivering support to around 2000 individuals on any given day, 4500 per year.

We believe that in many cases, Homelessness is entirely preventable. Where Homelessness is not or cannot be, prevented the experience should be brief and non-recurring.

We provide support to people who are;

• Experiencing Homelessness
• At risk of Homelessness; and / or
• Need some support to protect their home

Around two thirds of our work is with people who are experiencing Homelessness.

We believe a menu of options should be available to individuals to prevent, or support someone to move on from Homelessness. This ensures we use a ‘no wrong door’ approach to accessing service and behind this door, people should be met with a ‘Whole System Approach’ to support.

We deliver a range of outreach services including Housing Support (Short and Long Term / Intensive); Housing First and Crisis Support.

Our ambitions are high for those we help; we want everyone to reach their full potential, to become active and valued members of their community, to acquire the life skills and decision-making capabilities to lead a stable productive and fulfilling life. We will challenge, coach and encourage to help achieve this, sometimes involving the peer support of others who have shared similar personal journeys.

We are also active members of the European Federation of National Organisations with the Homeless (FEANTSA) and founding Members of the Housing First Europe Hub.

The Housing First Project was established in spring 2010 and is based upon the Housing First model developed and implemented in the United States as a method for reducing and preventing chronic homelessness. The premise of Housing First is that housing is a basic human right and is an integral part of a holistic support package offered to individuals. The premise of Housing First is that housing is a basic human right and is an integral part of a holistic support package offered to individuals.

Our Housing First service supports individuals over 18 years of age who are statutory homeless with multiple and complex needs; however, they still want to have a tenancy of their own. Support staff will provide support to transition into a tenancy of their choice and to live there. We provide support around maintaining the tenancy, problematic alcohol and other drug use, mental health, social inclusion, life skills and employability. This support is non time limited.

We deliver a high-fidelity service which means we stick closely to the 7 principles of Housing First.

The service is based in Kintyre House 209 Govan Road and support is available on a 24/7 basis, with the office being staffed from 9am to 7.30pm.

The service is person centred with the individual choosing their own priorities in their recovery and flexibility in support.

The support we provide is always person centred, we do this by involving people who know the person well, this includes family and friends, other health and Social Work professionals, Advocacy services and our own staff members.

As a Lead Practitioner, you will work with individuals who have a wide range of support needs, providing them with practical and emotional support and encouraging them to achieve their own personal outcomes in all aspects of their daily lives e.g. keeping safe, meaningful activities, community involvement, physical health, relationships, emotional health and wellbeing.

Please note that IT skills are required for all our vacancies.

Where applicable, successful candidates will be required to register with the SSSC within 6 months of start date.