As part of our succession planning the Social Enterprise Academy are looking to recruit up to 3 new volunteer Board members who are interested in supporting our vision and being part of making amazing change happen and are able to commit to a minimum of 45 hours per year.

We are particularly interested in applications from those with expertise or experience in any of the following areas:

• Connecting us - someone who is commercially minded and who can support us in connecting with future funders and corporate partners
• Promoting us - a digital marketeer who can help us build our reach
• Being a True Entrepreneur - understands what we do and can bring entrepreneurial thinking

As well as having the wider professional skills and experiences that we need on the board we also want a board that reflects and understands the people that we serve.

We will choose candidates who, overall, offer the best contribution and fit with our values. Relevant skills and experience are important but previous board experience is not essential, nor is a long career at a senior level. Applications from first-time board members are welcomed. All board members will be given a full induction and will be supported to maximise the value of their contribution.

Through this recruitment process, we will also be considering whether some applicants who are not chosen for a board role might be open to a committee or advisory role with the Academy.

What does being a board member mean?

As a board member you will work with our Chair, fellow board members and our Chief Executive to contribute towards the future of the organisation. Your work will help ensure that we continue to deliver a high-quality service and encourage innovation in learning and enterprise. You will be legally responsible for the organisation and will be supported in fully understanding how to carry out your role. You will provide ideas, insight, feedback, and positive challenge in order to help increase our reach and impact.

The responsibilities of the board include:

• Overall good governance of the organisation
• Overall strategy of the organisation
• Overall sustainability of the organisation and ensuring finances are well-managed and reported
• Ensuring the organisation acts in accordance with its charitable aims
• Ensuring the organisation fulfils its legal obligations in relation to its charitable and company status

As well as fulfilling these responsibilities the Academy board is a creative and strategic group, engaging with the sector and the wider staff team to support the success of the organisation and its people. It is a supportive and collaborative board with individuals committed to the values of social enterprise and learning and who all bring a wealth of knowledge, expertise and perspectives.

All new board members will undertake an induction process to get to know the Academy, the team and your fellow board members.

Why join the Social Enterprise Academy Board?

This is a unique opportunity to join a motivated and committed board who are working together to shape the future of a leading learning and development organisation supporting social change. Given the Academy’s role in national policy discussions and its international replication, you will have influence considerably beyond the immediate reach of the Academy.

Through your board role you will expand your contacts, knowledge and skills and you will connect with a vibrant and committed group of staff, facilitators and learners in the fast-growing space around social impact.

Interested?

For more information about the role and how to apply please download the recruitment pack from our website.

We are offering opportunities for you to engage with us before applying. You can arrange an informal phone/Skype/WhatsApp/Zoom conversation with our Chief Executive or Chair. Please find details about how to contact us in the recruitment pack.

Organisation profile:

At the Social Enterprise Academy, we believe social entrepreneurs play an essential role in changing the world.

We strengthen their role in local communities through transformational learning programmes that will increase their community impact.

Our programmes are accredited, responsive to learner needs, and are delivered by experienced facilitators who are social change leaders themselves.

Since 2004, we have delivered over 1,900 learning programmes to 28,000+ learners in over 30 countries. We have also engaged over 55,000 young people around the world, using social enterprise as a tool to help them reach their full potential and create positive change in their communities.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to change young lives across Edinburgh, by enabling young people to imagine and build their own positive futures.

This role will form part of the leadership team of Scran Academy, leading one of our core services, the Scransitions Employability Programme. The post holder will take ownership of the programme, planning and delivering structured and responsive employment and independent living support to young people facing challenges with their next steps in life.

The Scransitions programme works with young people aged 15+ who often have a wide range of unmet needs, supporting them with a blend of one-to-one mentoring, employment placements and skills-based group work. Each young person gains opportunities to access direct work placements over an 8-week development programme, with flexible one-to-one lead-in and follow-on support to design their learning pathways and reflect on their progress. Key emphasis is placed on this one-to one support, which can be as long or as short as the young person needs.

Essential to the programme’s success is a person-centred approach, and a core part of the role involves building positive, trusting relationships with young people. These relationships are the foundation of any ‘push’ needed for the development of confidence, skills, and the unlocking of aspirations and ambitions. As the role works with vulnerable young people, many of whom may have been let down by authorities and leaders in their lives, there is a balance to be struck to achieve this. A compassionate approach is essential in this regard, providing safety, non-judgement and complete acceptance. Also essential is a willingness to safely challenge young people to step outside their comfort zone and use their imagination to form their aims. Finally, working with vulnerable young people requires setting and communicating professional and personal boundaries clearly and transparently.

This role also entails skilled partnership work, building wider connections which support young people with opportunities both in and out of Scran, and sustains their next steps with collaborative follow-on work. These could be with the business community, the statutory sector, or wider community opportunities.

The role will lead the delivery of our Scransitions Programme, a carefully designed model with a clearly articulated developmental approach. The programme’s success is tried and tested, and hinges on adaptability – it has developed iteratively over time to reflect the changing needs of young people. Record keeping is therefore critical to the success of both the programme and the role.

Young people’s journeys are personal and unique, but we need to capture them in effective ways to ensure any development is reflected and celebrated. Moreover, young people’s voices shape the

approach and structure of our delivery, so intelligent feedback and evaluation is integral to sustaining the programme and achieving the best outcomes for young people.

It is expected that the successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to excellence in all aspects of the job, and demonstrate the values of Scran Academy.

This role embodies our values: We Love, We Trust, We Unite and We Lead:

We Love – the successful candidate will nurture young people. They will care deeply and see all behaviour as communication that deserves a dignified response. They will be non-judgemental and take a trauma-informed approach.

We Trust – the successful candidate will believe in the potential of young people. They will trust them to be the expert of their own life and circumstance. They will support young people to take responsible steps in learning, work and life.

We Unite – the successful candidate will courageously bring young people together. They will aim to create safe spaces where stepping outside comfort zones is supported and encouraged.

We Lead – the successful candidate will see all young people as leaders in their own lives. They will be ready to both lead and be led by young people. They will listen and provide a platform for young people to lead their learning and thrive.

The Larder delivers a range of training, employability and youth justice programmes in West Lothian and other local authority areas, supporting young people and adults with complex barriers to take their next steps into training, learning, or work.

Our approach is strengths-based and human rights-informed, recognising that everyone’s circumstances are different and adapting our courses to meet individual needs. We support learners to identify their strengths, build confidence, overcome barriers, and move into positive destinations, when the time is right for them. We value the dignity, rights, and agency of each learner, including those with additional support needs and neurodiverse learners, and we work to ensure that all learners can fully participate and have their voices heard.

As a self-employed Trainer/Assessor, you will play a key role in delivering a range of training, employability, and youth justice programmes across West Lothian and potentially neighbouring local authorities. Delivery will take place in our bespoke Training Academies in Livingston, in schools, and in community settings.

You will design and deliver high-quality, inclusive learning experiences tailored to the needs of young people and adults with complex barriers. Our approach is strengths-based and human rights-informed, recognising that everyone’s circumstances are different and adapting our courses to meet individual needs.

Ark is a major provider of Housing, Care and Support to people with long term and enduring conditions such as learning disabilities, mental health issues, dementia and autism.

Ark supports people to live independently in their own homes providing everything from a few hours a week social and life admin support to 24/7 care supporting with personal care, medication, household tasks, attending appointments and leisure activities.

We have lots of opportunities across Scotland for our Support Worker roles. As we provide full training no previous is experience is required.

If you are enthusiastic about supporting people to live their best lives, then apply now to join our team!

Your main duties will include but not be limited to:

• Working with colleagues as part of an effective and efficient team to support vulnerable people.
• Communicate and work well with our supported people to provide individual care and maintain appropriate relationships.
• Being responsible in supporting individuals throughout the activities, giving positive feedback and encouragement.
• Updating and maintaining accurate records using a tablet on Arks Information Management system.

Previous experience of the following is an advantage but not essential as Ark will provide full training: Care Worker, Social worker, Home Carer, Case Worker, Care Assistant, Autism Support Worker, Personal Care Assistant , Social Care Worker.

View our job outline, find out what you working week could look like and hear from our current Support Workers on Arks website arkha.org.uk/work-with-us

Why Ark?

• No Previous Experience Required - Ark provide full training so no previous experience is required making our Support Worker roles the perfect place to start your career in Adult Social Care.
• Get a qualification while you work - Ark fully fund your SVQ2 in Health & Social Care which you complete with the support of our in house SVQ team.
• Employee Discounts - Employee Discounts Portal with 1000s of discounts on your favourite brands including Supermarkets, Cinema Tickets, Gym Membership and Holidays.
• Career Progression -Over 75% of all Managers within Care & Support have been promoted internally.
• Employee Assistance Program - Arks Employee Assistance program (EAP) gives all employees access to counselling sessions. There is also support available through weekly webinars and the EAP Website & App.
• Contracted hours to suit you-We have Full-time, Part-time and Relief Support Worker roles available at our services throughout Scotland.

In return for your valuable contribution, Ark will also offer you:

• Up to 36 days paid holiday per year pro rata
• 4% Contributory pension scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Fully funded PVG & 1st year SSSC registration paid by Ark

Our employees told us in a recent survey that they stay with Ark because they believe in our values, we have supportive managers who continually appreciate their staff and they love making a positive difference in our supported peoples lives, helping them to achieve their dreams.

Ark would love to hear from you whether you are an experienced Support Worker or new to Social Care.