Who we are

Alcohol Focus Scotland (AFS) is Scotland’s national alcohol charity, committed to preventing and reducing harm to individuals, families, communities and Scotland as a whole.

Scotland had been making progress in reducing alcohol consumption and harm from record levels, not least due to the positive effects of minimum unit pricing of (MUP). Unfortunately, alcohol deaths have risen significantly since 2020, due to the effect of the pandemic on consumption by heavier drinkers, combined with reduced access to services. Research suggests levels of harm will continue to rise for some time.

This is an exciting time to join us, as we advocate for renewed efforts to implement evidence-based alcohol policies and for access to high quality treatment and recovery support, in response to Scotland’s alcohol crisis.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking a skilled policy professional to join our team. You will have a varied and challenging role, providing policy and research support across a number of policy areas. You will have the opportunity to lead national coordination work and chair strategic groups to support consistent implementation of evidence-based practice, making a tangible impact on Scotland's approach to reducing alcohol harm. You will coordinate Scotland's national approach to alcohol death reviews, bringing together stakeholders, convening networks and supporting partners to influence change. Your excellent analytical, organisational and communication skills will be vital in ensuring we meet our goal of reducing alcohol harm and improving lives.

We are looking for a candidate with:

• Experience of analysing, synthesising and communicating evidence and research to support policy and practice development

• Experience of working collaboratively and strategically with external organisations and agencies to effect change

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience working in a fast-paced policy or practice environment

What we offer

Flexible and Hybrid Working

We offer flexi-time to give you more control over your working hours. We work a mixture of office and home-based days to meet the needs of the post and to accommodate the needs of the postholder.

Annual Leave

26 days paid annual leave, increasing after five years’ service. 10 days public holiday (incorporating closure between Christmas and New Year). An additional Celebration Day that may be taken at any time. Staff may purchase up to one week’s additional annual leave per holiday year.

Well-being support

We provide an Employee Assistance Programme which offers round the clock support for all staff.

Pension and Death in Service Insurance

4-6% matched employer pension contribution, rising to 7% after five years’ service. Death in Service insurance is calculated as two times salary.

Company Sick Pay

After completion of probation you can qualify for up to five months full pay then five months half pay, inclusive of SSP, in year one, increasing annually for five years.

Transport support

AFS is based in central Glasgow, close to transport hubs. We offer a Travel to Work loan to spread the cost of season tickets and access to the tax efficient benefits of the Cycle to Work scheme.

Learning

We offer a range of formal and informal training and learning opportunities to support your development.

Enhanced leave

Maternity leave and paternity leave are enhanced above statutory to help you and your family, after a qualifying service period.

Social Connection

As well as the satisfaction of working with a skilled, friendly and dedicated team to make change happen, we support formal and informal opportunities to take part in different activities and get to know your colleagues.

Alcohol Focus Scotland is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Phoenix Futures Team at our North Lanarkshire Family Service. We are looking for a Family Outreach Worker who is passionate about supporting loved ones affected by someone else’s alcohol or drug use. The North Lanarkshire Family service is a standalone family support service that provides community based support and interventions across the 6 localities of North Lanarkshire to anyone over 16 affected by someone else’s alcohol and/or drug use.

The Role

As a Family Outreach Worker, you will support loved ones who are concerned about someone else's alcohol and/ or drug use using a range of 1:1 and group interventions including but not limited to CRAFT. As an Outreach worker you will provide community based support to loved ones in their own community and where appropriate conduct home visits. You will carry a caseload of family members and assess risk appropriately to ensure that appropriate support is given. You will promote the Whole Family Approach and Family Inclusive practice across the 6 localities of North Lanarkshire.

The role is part time 21.5 hours per week. You will be part of a passionate and skilled team, contributing to the provision of tailored family interventions and recovery approaches.

About You

To join us as a Family Outreach Worker at The North Lanarkshire Family Service, you will need:

• Relevant experience of working in health and social care, ideally within the field of working with family members or those impacted by drug and alcohol use, problematic substance use, mental health or another comparable field
• Evidence of effective partnership working and the ability to network for the benefit of the client and service
• Evidence of managing a busy caseload or tasks and excellent organisational skills
• To be proficient in the use of Microsoft Outlook and Word and be familiar with database management systems
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Understand complex issues that family members and individuals impacted by alcohol and/or drug use face
• Determined, with a drive to succeed and a willingness to learn
• Passionate and enthusiastic about making a real difference to the lives of people we support

Full driving license and own transport necessary

So, if you’re seeking your next challenge as a Family Outreach Worker, please get in touch or apply today.

Your Rewards

• Starting salary of £24,637 pro-rata (£14125.21) with opportunity to access potential yearly salary increments subject to appraisal
• Committed to providing a Real Living Wage for you, through accreditation with the Living Wage Foundation
• 25 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing each year to a maximum of 30 days)
• Benefits including season ticket loan, pension scheme and life assurance
• Support through occupational sick pay, eye-care vouchers and regular wellbeing talks and activities
• Continuous training and career development via PXL our dedicated learning management system
• Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance programme including telephone and online access
• A rewarding role with the opportunity to help us support people on their journey to recovery and change their lives for the better.
• We’ll ensure you get all the support you need to thrive and succeed in your role and find your place amongst our incredible and collaborative team.

The Service - Building Futures North Lanarkshire

We have a passionate and experienced team who support people and families who are affected by drug and/or alcohol use. We work across the 6 localities of North Lanarkshire. We provide support from our base in Coatbridge and also in Airdrie, Bellshill, Cumbernauld, Motherwell and Wishaw. We support people and families to overcome any barriers they may face and help to reduce social isolation. We promote recovery and challenge stigma. We believe in showing people that not only is recovery possible, it is happening every day across North Lanarkshire. We offer a wide range of services to help provide support. These include 1:1 and group work, Peer Mentoring, CBT Counselling, Recovery Through Nature, Family Support and general advice and signposting.

About Phoenix Futures Phoenix Futures Group is a charity with over 50 years’ experience and a leading provider of drug and alcohol treatment. We use our expertise to support people in their personal recovery and to improve their lives. We are dedicated to advocating for people who are often overlooked and stigmatised,

to ensure they have a fair chance to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Our aim is for everyone to be able to achieve their potential for themselves, their families and communities.

We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and believe it is important to include people with lived experience to ensure the needs of the people we support are represented. We are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where everyone is free to be themselves and we ensure equity of opportunity.

Interview Process We want you to feel comfortable to be your best during the interview process, so that you can get to know Phoenix and we can get to know you. If shortlisted, you will be contacted for a face to face interview. All details will be provided in advance so that you can feel adequately prepared and we can support you with reasonable adjustments as required.

SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health) supports the aim of Scottish Government and COLSA for any child, young person or adult who has thoughts of taking their own life, or are affected by suicide, to get the help they need and feel a sense of hope.

Around since 1923, SAMH is Scotland’s national mental health charity. We are a committed and lead member of the Suicide Prevention Scotland delivery collective, ensuring that lived and living experience is at the forefront when delivering Scotland’s national suicide prevention strategy, Creating Hope Together.

About the Role

The Lived and Living Experience Panel (LLEP) is a group of people from across Scotland who have lived experience of suicide. The purpose of the LLEP is to ensure that the voice of people with experience of suicide is at the heart of Creating Hope Together: Scotland’s Suicide Prevention Strategy 2022-2032. The panel plays a central role in co-producing Suicide Prevention Scotland’s programme of work to deliver the strategy.

SAMH hosts the LLEP on behalf of Suicide Prevention Scotland, a delivery collective established by SG and COSLA.

The Lived and Living Experience Panel Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating LLEP engagement with all organisations involved in the delivery of Creating Hope Together.

The postholder will establish and manage effective relationships with panel members, national and local stakeholders and partners, coordinate meetings and engagements, and support provision of ongoing emotional and wellbeing support and guidance to LLEP members.

What we are looking for

To be successful in this post you will need experience of working in suicide prevention and working with people or groups with lived experience. You will have experience of providing emotional support, guidance and advice to people, and strong project management, coordination and administrative skills.

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 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.