Apex Scotland is the leading employment and training organisation specialising in work with people with convictions.

We believe in a future beyond your past.

Apex Scotland offer a diverse range of services for young people and adults to help them break down barriers to employment, engage in education, or integrate into their communities.

We are looking for a full time Practitioner to join our team in our National Upside Service at 35 hours per week, covering the Tayside area.

The post will present an opportunity to cover our service we deliver in partnership with Access to industry, Action for Children, Barnardo’s, Circle, Families Outside, Sacro and Turning Point Scotland. Upside is a national throughcare service, available in all parts of Scotland. Throughcare provides people in short-term custody or remand with the practical and emotional support they need to transition to community life. The Service will achieve this by working in partnership with the Scottish Prison Service, Community Justice Social Work and other agencies across Scotland to ensure our approach of focusing on meeting people where they are, addressing immediate challenges, and helping them build sustainable futures within their communities are met.

The successful applicant will have experience of working in a community environment and an understanding of Throughcare support would be an advantage. There will be some travel throughout the country therefore a driving license or access to a means of transport is essential.

The right candidate will have an aptitude for working collaboratively with participants, prison workers, SPS, social work and other partners. Offer a tailored and responsive engagement experience to our participants in a person-centred way. The candidate must be able to complete dynamic and robust risk assessments and follow safeguarding practices. An understanding of Prison Throughcare would be an advantage, as would knowledge and experience in working with databases. You would need to demonstrate flexibility and the ability to work in partnership. Some travel may be required therefore a driving licence and/or access to a means of transport would be an advantage. A full description will be available.

This post is funded until end of March 2028 and may require some evening or weekend working.

Membership of the Prevention of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme is required.

We offer some great benefits, including family friendly policies, flexible and hybrid working and work-life balance. We also have generous annual leave entitlement, employee wellbeing scheme (Perkbox), pension scheme and death in service, company sick pay.

We welcome applications from individuals who share Apex Scotland’s aims and values and value diversity from all sections of the community.

The post of Health Improvement Coordinator offers an exciting opportunity to improve the lives of people living with HIV and plays a vital role in Waverley Care and Scotland's ambition to reach Zero HIV Transmission by 2030.

This post will provide support services for all people living with or affected by Blood Borne Viruses (BBV) in the Glasgow area, through community-based interventions focusing on reducing HIV stigma and improving wellbeing. As part of the role, the post holder will manage a caseload and work with individuals to better understand their needs and identify opportunities for them to develop.

This role would collaborate with other members of the health improvement team to develop learning, skills and best practices to support individuals. The post holder will also take part in prevention work such as BBV testing and awareness raising at events aimed at engaging those at higher risk of BBV transmission.

You will:

• Manage key worker responsibilities for a caseload of service users, who are people living with HIV that need additional support to access treatment and care, maintain good health, or improve their wellbeing
• Work with service users to create a personal plan, using the Waverley Care baseline assessment tool, with identified outcomes and carry out regular reviews of these plans
• Provide one-to-one emotional support to service users to identify and overcome barriers to improving their health and well-being
• Facilitate opportunities for one-to-one and group peer support
• Work with colleagues to identify opportunities for volunteer input and contribute to the training and supervision of volunteers
• Promote the value of testing to different communities at risk of a BBV and offer BBV testing where appropriate
• Deliver BBV and sexual health advice and support through support interventions, events and outreach activities

About You

We are looking for a dynamic and motivated individual who:

• A demonstrable interest in, and passion for, improving the lives of people affected by blood-borne viruses (BBVs), in particular people disproportionately affected by HIV and Hepatitis C
• Demonstrable experience in working with vulnerable groups, particularly those who are at heightened risk of HIV transmission
• Experience working with vulnerable people with multiple complex needs who face barriers to accessing care, including people affected by substance use disorders, at heightened risk of homelessness and the criminal justice system
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to develop positive relationships with a range of stakeholders
• Experience in project management and leading in an area of work
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills appropriate for a wide range of audiences
• Be a strong team player, able to use your initiative and reflect on your practice
• Interested in development opportunities and further training

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a progressive organisation at a pivotal moment in Scotland’s public health journey. You’ll have the chance to influence real change, working alongside passionate colleagues committed to making a lasting impact on people’s lives.

We offer a supportive working environment with hybrid working options, professional development opportunities and a generous annual leave entitlement.

The post of Peer Support Worker offers an exciting opportunity to improve the lives of people living with HIV and plays a vital role in Waverley Care and Scotland's ambition to reach Zero HIV Transmission by 2030.

This post will provide support services for all people living with HIV in the Lothian area, through community-based and peer support interventions focusing on reducing HIV stigma and improving wellbeing. The role will involve participating in presentations to community groups and organisations to raise awareness of HIV and to enable audiences to better understand what it is like to live with HIV. This includes working in conjunction with clinicians at various health settings to provide accessible peer support. Waverley Care peer support training is available for any applicants who have previously not undertaken full peer mentor training.

You will:

• Manage key worker responsibilities for a caseload of service users, who are people living with HIV that need additional support to access treatment and care, maintain good health, or improve their wellbeing
• Be involved in the training and development of our peer support services, as well as using their own lived experience to address HIV stigma.
• Work with service users to create a personal plan, using the Waverley Care baseline assessment tool, with identified outcomes and carry out regular reviews of these plans
• Provide in-clinic peer support to people at different health clinical settings across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
• Provide one-to-one peer support to service users to identify and overcome barriers to improving their health and well-being
• Facilitate opportunities for one-to-one and group peer support
• Promote the value of testing to different communities at risk of a BBV and offer BBV testing where appropriate
• Deliver BBV and sexual health advice and support through support interventions, events and outreach activities

About You

We are looking for a dynamic and motivated individual who:

• A demonstrable interest in, and passion for, improving the lives of people affected by blood-borne viruses (BBVs), in particular people disproportionately affected by HIV
• Living with HIV and experience of delivering peer support, which demonstrated good boundaries and support knowledge.
• Demonstrable experience in working with vulnerable groups, particularly those who are at heightened risk of HIV transmission
• Able to use their personal life experiences to influence positive change by offering support and guidance to others who might be dealing with similar challenges
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to develop positive relationships with a range of stakeholders
• Experience in project activity and leading in an area of work
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills appropriate for a wide range of audiences
• Be a strong team player, able to use your initiative and reflect on your practice
• Interested in development opportunities and further training

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a progressive organisation at a pivotal moment in Scotland’s public health journey. You’ll have the chance to influence real change, working alongside passionate colleagues committed to making a lasting impact on people’s lives.

We offer a supportive working environment with hybrid working options, professional development opportunities and a generous annual leave entitlement.

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.