Are you passionate about helping people to live a better life? Do you want to work for a charity where your health and wellbeing matter just as much as the people you support? Do you want to be part of a trauma-informed team where you will be supported to develop creative and flexible ways of working?

At LinkLiving, our values and people are at the heart of everything we do including how we recruit our staff. It is important for us to find people who share our values, which are:

• Empathy (listen to and understand an individual’s needs and circumstances)
• Respect (treat others the way they wish to be treated)
• Integrity (be honest and have strong moral principles)
• Caring (show kindness and concern for others)

LinkLiving is a Scottish health and wellbeing charity that supports people to manage or overcome the effects of negative life experiences (including trauma, mental health challenges, poverty and inequality) so that they can build on their strengths and aspirations in order to live their best possible lives. We support people through a range of models including:

• Personal development and employability programmes
• Self-help coaching
• Supported accommodation
• Care at home
• Housing support
• Befriending
• Social cafes

The Service

The Link Academy team works primarily with people with complex backgrounds. The experiences of these young people often result in low self-esteem and confidence, poor mental health and a pattern of destructive behaviours. Because of this, these young people find it difficult to manage key transitions such as moving into work or training, into a tenancy or leaving care. The service works hard and creatively to maintain the early engagement of participants. By offering mental health and wellbeing programmes, independent living skills and a wide range of qualifications to support their progression, we give young people the tools to better manage their own mental health. Doing so helps them break negative and destructive cycles of behaviour and thinking, with the aim of putting them on the path to having the best life possible. Staff are trained in using a trauma-informed approach to support young people to build confidence, develop resilience and realise their goals for the future.

The Job

The Pause, Think, Grow (Navigating Positive Futures) is a preventive programme which focuses on supporting young people at risk of becoming involved in the criminal justice system through the provision of one-to-one and group-based support. The Development Worker will have a background in criminal justice and will support young people facing issues including youth crime, antisocial behaviour, family breakdown and school-related difficulties, to achieve their goals and aspirations, providing them with practical tools and techniques to overcome the challenges they are facing. We welcome applications from people with lived experience and professional experience.

The Development Workers will also provide support to parents and caregivers, as well as lead a team of peer mentor volunteers (16-24) who will use their own experiences of the criminal justice system to positively influence young people supported through the programme.

About You

You are passionate about supporting young people to overcome challenges and achieve positive outcomes, particularly those involved in or affected by the criminal justice system. You will be educated to SCQF Level 7 (HNC or equivalent); however, we actively welcome applicants with relevant lived experience who may not hold formal qualifications, as training and qualifications will be supported within the role. In these cases, you must have demonstrable experience of working with this client group.

You will have a minimum of three years’ professional experience in youth work, including direct experience of working with young people in a criminal justice setting. You are skilled at developing, shaping, and delivering engaging programmes that respond to the current challenges facing young people, using a trauma-informed and relationship-based approach.

You are confident in building positive, trusting relationships with young people and have experience creating or identifying resources for one-to-one work and group delivery, including the effective use of digital tools and resources. You will also have experience of building and sustaining partnerships with a range of stakeholders.

You bring a good understanding of current Scottish policies and the social, economic, and systemic challenges affecting young people and families in Scotland. You are highly organised, with excellent planning skills, and are an effective communicator, confident in both oral presentations and written reporting. A good working knowledge of ICT is essential.

You are a collaborative team player with a flexible, can-do attitude, willing to work across different areas as required. Occasional evening or weekend work may be necessary to support specific training programmes or events, although this sits outside normal delivery hours.

For a comprehensive list of the essential and desirable criteria required for this post, please refer to the Job Specification in the Job information Pack above.

What’s in it for you?

The benefits of being a LinkLiving employee (subject to the policies and benefit terms and conditions) include:

• Competitive salary, reviewed annually, and opportunity for annual performance related salary increases and discretionary non-consolidated pay awards, subject to terms of the scheme
• 35 days’ holiday per year (inclusive of public holidays) pro rata plus additional 3 days pro rata after 3 years’ service
• opportunity to buy and sell holiday
• enhanced company sick and family friendly pay
• access to paid SVQ qualifications and a wide range of learning and development opportunities
• funded Disclosure Scotland and Scottish Social Services Council memberships
• defined contribution pension scheme with generous employer contributions plus salary exchange and additional voluntary contribution options
• access to a Salary Exchange car leasing scheme, subject to the terms of the scheme
• life assurance scheme providing death in service benefits
• healthcare cash plan for employees (and dependents) to support health and wellbeing plus discounts on shopping, restaurants, and other services
• employee assistance programme for employees and their immediate household dependants to support health, mental and financial well-being
• access to purchase annual corporate clothing vouchers
• annual flu vaccination
• access to a credit union savings and borrowing scheme
• cycle to work scheme
• access to discounts on mobile airtime plans and much more!

For a full list of benefits available to employees, please see the following link - linkliving.org.uk/work-with-us

This role is subject to PVG membership under the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020. Individuals who are barred from working with children or protected adults will not be considered for this position. Link will meet the cost of any new PVG scheme membership or membership update.

Are you looking for a new challenge and an opportunity to shape the next phase of Ark’s ambitious strategy ?

Ark’s mission to create the best possible customer outcomes through our highly skilled people, the provision of high-quality affordable homes and excellent care will be achieved through creating inclusive communities where quality of housing and care enable people to thrive and live a good life.

Established in 1977 Ark provides 450 tenancies and supports over 400 people through our dedicated and highly skilled workforce of 700+ staff. We operate in 12 Local Authority areas in the North and East of Scotland, and we also have services in The Western Isles.

The Ark Group is made up of three companies:

1. Ark is a registered charity and registered social landlord (RSL) that provides housing and care and is the parent company within the group structure.

2. Ark Services Limited is a private company limited by guarantee and a wholly owned subsidiary of Ark.

3. Ark Commercial Investment Limited (ACIL) is a private limited share company and wholly owned subsidiary of Ark.

Although a housing association, the majority of Ark’s activity relates to the provision of care and support for people with long term and enduring conditions such as learning disability, mental health issues, dementia and autism. Our aim is to ensure that those who use our services receive the very best support from Ark to enable them to live a good life. For further information see Ark’s website: arkha.org.uk.

We currently have vacancies for Non-Executive Board members on both the main board as well as the group subsidiary board, at a very exciting time for Ark. We are about to launch a stakeholder engagement exercise across the business to consult on our new corporate strategy as well as celebrate our 50th anniversary. As a new Board Member, you will play a key part in developing and enabling the delivery of the strategy for the next 5-10 years and improving the governance framework to effectively monitor performance. This will be clearly focussed upon delivery of high-quality Housing and Care & Support services.

Ark Group Board

We are seeking 2-3 recruits to fill non-exec positions on Ark’s parent Board: Ark Housing Association.

This Board meets 6-7 times per year in a hybrid approach and will require some attendance face to face. We welcome applications from people with experience in Care & Support, Housing/Asset, Finance or Digital Improvement, and understanding of governance in an RSL would be an advantage, however not essential.

Ark Subsidiary Board

We are seeking to strengthen our governance by appointing non-executive directors to our Subsidiary Board and separate from the Ark Group Board to ensure independence. This Board is completely independent from the parent Board. Your role will be to serve both subsidiary companies with meetings being held consecutively, 4 times per year. This board meets on a remote basis and will be the perfect opportunity for people seeking their first Board role, with the opportunity for exposure to two very different businesses; one a commercial/private company and one a registered Charity. We will provide you with a full induction and an opportunity to be mentored by an experienced Board member and we do not expect you to have any previous board experience. Overall, we are looking for dynamic, forward-thinking and enthusiastic people from a variety of backgrounds to contribute to Ark’s emerging future.

An exciting opportunity has become available to join Families Outside as our Regional Family Support Coordinator. If you are passionate about making a difference for families impacted by imprisonment and working to tackle and reduce stigma, we want to hear from you. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Regional Family Support Coordinator (RFSC) to support and promote the work of Families Outside in Edinburgh & the Lothians.

Role Summary:

• Hours: 28 hours per week

• Contract: 2-year fixed term contract (renewal subject to funding)

• Starting salary: Families Outside Scale Points 29-34 and updated annually subject to appraisal and where funds allow. Starting salary £29,467 pro rata (0.8FTE)

• Probation period: A probationary period of 6 months will apply.

• Location: Based in Edinburgh, with some work in the Lothians

Staff Benefits:

• 25 flexible leave days plus 10 public holidays (pro rata)

• 4% matched contribution workplace pension scheme

• Hybrid & flexible working

• Employee Assistance Programme (Health Assured)

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• Laptop and mobile phone for all staff

The Role:

At Families Outside, we're the only national charity in Scotland working solely to support families affected by imprisonment.

Joining the East of Scotland regional team, within our national Family Support Team, the Regional Family Support Coordinator will support people living in the Edinburgh and Lothians area who have a family member in prison. They will:

• Support families at home and in their community via 1:1, family, and/or peer support

• Work closely with key professionals including prison staff and prison visitors centre staff to provide advice, information, and guidance on a range of issues

• Raise awareness with key professionals within the local community about the impact of imprisonment and our work to improve outcomes for families

• Work closely with HMP Edinburgh, contributing to meetings and events that support the rights of children and families affected by imprisonment

About You:

We are looking for an individual who is:

• Experienced in working with, and alongside families in a creative and flexible way

• Rights-focused in their work and all they do

• Trauma-informed and is willing to understand the impact of imprisonment upon families

• Skilled and knowledgeable in working with people to overcome challenges they face in their day-to-day life

• A confident and effective contributor to working in partnership with others to meet families’ needs.

If you are an experienced professional with social work, community work, family support, or other appropriate experience and are passionate about making a difference for families impacted by imprisonment, then we want to hear from you.

About Us

Families Outside is the only national charity in Scotland that works solely to support families affected by imprisonment. Imprisonment can often have a huge impact on the things that matter most to families: money and secure housing, safe and connected relationships at home and in the community, and the emotional health and wellbeing of families. Families Outside is dedicated to providing a range of practical, social, and emotional support to people with someone in prison that are relationship-based, prison-aware, and family-focused.

Help us make sure no family faces the impact of imprisonment alone.

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.