We are looking for an experienced Mentor Support Worker to join our team developing Down’s Syndrome Scotland’s ‘Ready, Willing and Able’ new Inclusive Employment Programme for adults with Down’s syndrome seeking meaningful employment to reach their fullest potential.

The Mentor Support Officer will play a key role in the success of this new Inclusive Employment Programme by providing direct support to two employed mentors with Down’s syndrome. This position is dedicated to empowering the mentors, offering guidance, encouragement, and practical assistance to ensure they thrive in their roles and are equipped to support programme participants effectively.

The role requires someone with experience of supporting individuals with Down’s Syndrome and/or learning disabilities, the ideal candidate will have a strong background in mentoring/coaching adults, familiarity within the employability sector would be beneficial. A proactive approach to problem-solving and mentorship is key.

About us

At Sense Scotland we deliver vital support that makes a real positive impact to vulnerable individuals, and we value the work each staff member provides to ensure key goals are supported for those we care for. Our vision is for the people we support to live meaningful independent lives in a world that supports them to achieve their own ambitions. We do this by committing to our core values in practice and align this to all we do. We want our colleagues to feel valued and recognised for the life-changing work that they deliver. By joining our team, you'll not only help us achieve the delivery of high-quality care and support, but you’ll also be a key player with supporting and maintaining a developing, high performing and valued workforce.

About the team

The learning and development team is dedicated to providing a high-quality and innovative blended learning programme for all staff. It is their primary goal to ensure that, through the Sense Scotland L&D framework, they continually develop and maintain highly skilled staff who can meet the needs of the people we support. The team develop and oversee the training and development across all areas of the organisation, from face-to-face and virtual delivery as well as eLearning modules and ongoing development through focused, service-specific support.

The team continually develop learning and development initiatives based on ongoing need. They are committed to exploring using digital methods to deliver training while improving digital literacy. By keeping abreast of changing healthcare and communication training strategies, as well as the rapidly evolving digital landscape which promises to revolutionise learning, Sense Scotland maintains a pioneering approach to learning and development and we want you to be apart of that.

About you

Are you already a trainer within Health & Social Care, or a nurse or Senior Care Worker looking to develop into the role of a trainer? If so, we are looking to recruit a trainer to join our skilled Learning and development team.

The main focus of the role is to deliver health and social care courses to staff across our services, which are all over Scotland. This role can be based at either our Glasgow, Dundee, or Kirkcaldy office, with travel required across Scotland and the option to work from home.

You will be working in partnership with experienced training colleagues and operational managers and be responsible for delivering high quality and engaging training face to face and occasionally via Microsoft Teams. In addition to delivering training, you will also be assessing competence and coaching new and existing colleagues, and be expected to help nurture and form long-term relationships with new and existing staff, supporting their continuing professional development and training. You should be able to adapt your communication and training style depending on the trainees and naturally build rapport with new people.

Some of the topics you would be required to deliver training in (but not limited to):

• Organisational induction
• Safeguarding
• Epilepsy and rescue medication
• Moving and assisting
• First Aid
• Administration of medication

Expected qualifications and experience

• Minimum SCQF 7 qualification in a care related subject or a qualification that would allow registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
• Experience in training delivering within a health or social care setting
• A minimum of 1 years’ experience within a setting that would develop a detailed knowledge of current issues affecting health and social care.
• Be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of current training and qualification requirements in relation to SSSC registration, organisational policy and procedures, National Health and Social Care Standards and the SSSC Codes of Practice.
• Extremely confident and have a good grasp of IT applications such as Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, MS Teams.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral are required, as well as excellent organisational skills and to be able to work on your own initiative.
• Be passionate and caring about what you do.
• Be able and willing to work flexibly in terms of locations across Scotland and times of day to accommodate staff shift
• patterns and service needs – including overnight stays and unsocial hours (evenings and weekends).
• You must have a full UK driving licence and the use of a car (business mileage is reimbursed), as travel will be frequent and include travel to services all over Scotland.

What would make you stand out?

• Hold or be working towards a learning and development qualification.
• Be qualified to support at least one of the core courses (Epilepsy, Moving and Assisting, First Aid) and be prepared to undertake additional training for trainers’ courses as required.

Working for us

We offer a rewarding role with the opportunity to develop your skills and future career in an enriching environment, some of these include:

• Retention payment of £500 – we reward our people
• 100’s of discount options to use at high street stores, events, cinemas, restaurants and more!
• Earn £250 by referring a friend
• Training and development – opportunities to expand your skills and knowledge via our e-learning packages and so much more
• Generous annual leave entitlement – 24 days annual leave plus 12 Public Holidays which increases with length of service
• Pension scheme to help you save for the future
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme which offers practical, impartial support on issues impacting your life
• Cycle to Work scheme and HSF Health Plan, your health and wellbeing is important to us.

Our full list of benefits can be found here.

Please note that Terms and Conditions and/or qualifying criteria apply to the benefits listed above.

Fair Deal is an award-winning Social Enterprise providing assistance and support for people with learning disabilities, older people and young people. Established over 30 years ago we have been recognised for our groundbreaking work in valuing the people we support and supporting their needs. Based in Glasgow, we work alongside the people who use our support, to help them have the kind of life they want. At Fair Deal we are committed to personalised individual support arrangements enabling people to build and maintain the life they choose.

As a Support Worker, you will work within one of our highly motivated service teams to ensure delivery of a personalised individual support plan for people we support. The role is designed to enable people who use Fair Deal services to lead full and inclusive lives by meeting their support needs and working with them to achieve their wishes and aspirations.

Main Responsibilities

• To support individuals with all identified areas in their support plan
• To support individuals in areas of their lives including relationships, employment, appointments, education and social activities
• To support individuals to understand and fulfil their rights and responsibilities in all aspects of their lives
• To support individuals when engaging with external agencies and third parties as an advocate
• To support and promote healthy eating
• To encourage and support individuals to maintain or develop a full, inclusive social life
• To provide emotional support to individuals in challenging times
• To support people with intimate self-care tasks and encourage individuals towards greater self-sufficiency in these areas
• To support individuals to effectively manage any behavioural challenges they may present
• To promote independence
• To provide support allowing individuals to manage their own finances and medication

The main responsibilities are listed above, however, this list is not exhaustive, and the employee would be expected to perform any other duties that may reasonably be required in line with your main duties. Employees will be expected to apply for and maintain their Registration with the SSSC at the appropriate time, as specified by the SSSC, and to ensure they comply with the SSSC Code of Conduct

Qualifications/Skills key to the role

• Commitment to the ethos and values of Fair Deal
• Experience in a Social Care environment (desirable)
• A commitment to the rights and dignity of the people we support
• To have a flexible, positive and creative approach to working with people
• Having a holistic and respectful view of support
• Being reliable, dependable and approachable
• The ability to approach difficult situations calmly and efficiently
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work both individually and as part of a team
• Full Driving licence and access to own car for business purposes (desirable)
• Good IT Skills
• A willingness to undertake any training or learning required to carry out the duties of the post

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Glasgow: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience:

• support worker: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• NVQ Level 2 Health & Social Care (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Responsible to: Team Leader

In addition to a rewarding career, with competitive rates of pay, Fair Deal can offer a wide range of staff benefits including, competitive holiday entitlement, company sick pay scheme, workplace pension scheme and enhanced maternity/paternity benefits.

The RSSW is a key role within Fair Deal which has been developed in order to provide skilled direct support to individuals with very complex and varied needs, including behaviour that challenges. The RSSW will work in services where alternatives to traditional models of care may be explored and implemented.

In addition to working directly with individuals with complex and varied needs, the RSSW will play a pivotal role in working in partnership with a multi-disciplinary team, families and those being supported to ensure a robust and outcome focussed support plan and guidelines are agreed and implemented.

Reporting to the Team Leader, the RSSW will provide day-to-day support to people within Fair Deal’s services, ensuring that all support provided is of the highest quality. They have a responsibility for ensuring that they fully understand and are able to deliver support as per the individual’s Support Plan and able to follow and develop robust guidelines and Risk Assessments in collaboration with families and other relevant agencies.

Key Responsibilities:

• To provide direct support to service users with very complex needs who display stress and distressed behaviour/behaviours that challenge.
• To uphold organisational values and to ensure good working practice including understanding and awareness of health and safety
• To promote the independence and develop the skills of the people we support and assist with all tasks necessary to support the person(s) to fulfil potential and have a valued life.
• To work positively with the team, other agencies, parents, carers, and other services to ensure a quality provision of care in line with the national health and social care standards – my support, my life.
• Develop and contribute to the maintenance of records, risk assessments and support plans and act as a key worker when required.
• To ensure that the living environment is safe and appropriate to meet each individual’s needs.
• To participate in regular and ongoing training relevant to the needs of the people we support and maintain SSSC registration.

The Individual:

• Willing to work towards SSSC registration requirements
• Good Practical Skills
• Good Observational Skills
• Flexibility, Empathy and Approachability.
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to reflect on your own practice.
• Ability to form positive relationships with people we support, colleagues, parents, and other professionals.
• Sensitivity and understanding of discrimination and health and wellbeing issues.
• Flexible approach to work patterns.
• Ability to respond appropriately in difficult or challenging situations.
• Ability to work effectively as part of the support team and in multi-disciplinary settings.
• The ability to engage people we support in activities and participation within their home and in the local community.
• Ability to carry out duties that may involve personal care of people we support.
• Ability to carry out duties in line with health and safety regulations and risk assessments.

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Glasgow, Glasgow: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience:

• support worker: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• NVQ Level 2 Health & Social Care (preferred)

Work Location: In person

In addition to a rewarding career, with competitive rates of pay, Fair Deal can offer a wide range of staff benefits including, competitive holiday entitlement, company sick pay scheme, workplace pension scheme and enhanced maternity/paternity benefits.

Please note the post is for permanent night shift however there is an expectation that the post holder will be available for some initial training in daytime hours for the first few weeks in post. There may be a requirement beyond this for occasional daytime training course planned in advance.