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.

Who we are

Alzheimer Scotland is Scotland’s national dementia charity. Our aim is to make sure nobody faces dementia alone. We provide support and information to people with dementia, their carers and families, we campaign for the rights of people with dementia and fund vital dementia research.

What you’ll do

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Organisation and provide a key contribution to the work of Brain Health Scotland which is the prevention arm of Alzheimer Scotland. This role will support and evaluate evidence-based initiatives which aim to improve brain health across the life course. This role provides the opportunity to contribute to the developing evidence base around dementia prevention. Additionally, the role will provide a strong research contribution to the overall work of Alzheimer Scotland with the post holder being a key resource for people with lived experience, colleagues and external stakeholders. The role will offer varied experiences including evidence reviews, data collection and analysis, dissemination of findings and partnership working with people with lived experience and networks.

What you’ll have

The successful candidate will be educated to at least degree level in a relevant subject area, and will be able to work in a collaborative, innovative, committed and flexible approach.

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.