Around since 1923, SAMH is Scotland’s national mental health charity. We have represented the voice of people most affected by mental health problems in Scotland for almost 100 years. Today, in over 60 communities we work with adults and young people providing mental health social care support, services in primary care, schools and further education, among others.

These services together with our national programme work in See Me, respectme, suicide prevention and active living; inform our policy and campaign work to influence positive social change. SAMH is dedicated to mental health and wellbeing for all: with a vision of a society where people are able to live their lives fully, regardless of present or past circumstances.

About the Role

At this crucial time for young people’s mental health in Scotland, our work influencing policy at the highest level and shaping our own services has never been more important. The Youth Engagement Officer will be responsible for developing and delivering a range of opportunities and activities to build and engage networks of young people across Scotland.

You will support young people working with SAMH to have a say on the things that matter most to them, involve them in the design and delivery of our work, and help them to become active citizens creating positive change. A key element of this will be coordinating SAMH’s first ever Young People’s Panel and working with our Youth Activists.

What we are looking for

This is a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about improving outcomes for young people and ensuring they are at the centre of our work. You will need to have the skills, knowledge and sensitivity to work productively with young people who may be at a vulnerable point in their lives. You’ll have experience of working with volunteers and a wide range of stakeholders, and you’ll be a good communicator with experience engaging with and building communities.

If that’s you and striving to achieve positive change in children and young people’s mental health sounds like a good way to spend your working day, please consider applying.

What we will provide for you

You will work in a supportive environment and will be provided with a full induction and training opportunities. You will be given the chance to develop your knowledge and skills, as well as develop professionally. Some of our benefits include:

• Funded continuous learning and development opportunities, access to over 100 courses online in addition to classroom and virtual training sessions

• 30 days annual leave rising to 33 after five years’ service

• Four public holidays

• Two paid wellbeing days off per year to use on what matters to you.

• Team wellbeing budgets

• Workplace pension scheme

• Life Assurance policy

• Employee Assistance Programme.

We are recruiting – come and join Scottish Families!

We are seeking a Senior National Family Support Practitioner (Job Share, 0.5 FTE) to lead the development of our national family support services and provide day-to-day management of the Scottish Families national support team, providing appropriate support, personal development review and performance management to ensure the delivery of high-quality services, the safety and well-being of the staff and effective use of resources.

The Senior National Family Support Practitioner will work together with their job share partner to manage and participate in the day-to-day operational delivery of Scottish Families national support services. Scottish Families’ innovative national family support programme ensures a positive and empowering support approach that respects and recognises individuals’ needs, and balances these with the ethos and capacity of the service. Scottish Families national support services are branded and promoted as Helpline; ‘Click & Deliver’ take-home Naloxone; one-to-one Ripple Family Support; My Family, My Rights; and Bereavement Support.

The post is based at Edward House, Glasgow – Scottish Families’ national office. (Note that staff are currently working between home and office). This is a national post which includes some travel across Scotland. Hours worked will be in line with service delivery requirements, including occasional evenings and weekends when required. The post will be part of the Scottish Families’ staff team and be supervised by the Head of Programmes.

Together with their job share partner, the post-holder will line manage the national family support team; effectively manage the workflow within the national family support team, including caseloads, to ensure that family members’ support needs are met appropriately within a timely manner; directly participate in delivering national support, including scheduling and delivering virtual one-to-one structured evidence-based intervention sessions (includes delivering CRAFT; Community Reinforcement & Family Training); Helpline contact handling; and providing initial bereavement assessment and support, facilitating referrals to bereavement counselling where appropriate. The role includes overseeing the ongoing development of these services, as required, and quality assuring the work of the team by a range of means. The role also focuses on strengthening family support practice and resource development, advancing specialist skills and expertise, developing consistency of approach, and promoting information-sharing and peer support between team members.

We are seeking applicants who are educated to degree level or equivalent, with experience of direct client work, direct work with families, relationship-based practice, and group work. Applicants should have experience in identifying and managing risk; working in partnership; and the development of services; as well as knowledge of issues affecting families affected by substance use and bereavement. We are seeking an excellent listener, with the ability to support individuals from diverse demographics, and to identify and evaluate risk. Applicants must be organised and efficient with excellent written and verbal communication skills and a high degree of competence in MS Office programmes, including MS Excel. You should be available to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends