We’re looking for a Youth Service Co-ordinator with a passion for diversity and inclusion to join our team. Could that be you?

Who are we?

Deaf Action is a deaf-led charity, supporting and celebrating deaf people. We were established in 1835 and work with deaf people across Scotland and the South of England. Our work is geared towards empowering all deaf people to achieve their potential and fully participate in society, with equality of rights, access and opportunity.

You can find out more about us at deafaction.org.

About you

Our Youth Service supports deaf and hard of hearing young people to build confidence, develop life skills, improve wellbeing, connect with peers and explore a positive deaf identity.

To co-ordinate and deliver Deaf Action’s Youth Service for deaf and hard of hearing young people, primarily aged 10–18.

The postholder will deliver youth work activity funded by Young Start and Gannochy Trust, supporting young people to improve wellbeing, build community connections, develop life skills and access leadership, enterprise and employability opportunities.

The role includes direct youth work delivery, supporting the Youth Council, co-ordinating sessional youth workers and volunteers, building partnerships, and gathering evidence of impact for funders.

The ideal candidates will be fully committed to our values, which can be found on our website.

Main duties

• Plan, co-ordinate and deliver accessible youth clubs, social events, workshops, trips, residentials and community activities.
• Support deaf and hard of hearing young people to build confidence, resilience, independence, communication skills and positive peer relationships.
• Establish and support a Youth Council, enabling young people to shape activities, influence priorities and take part in decision-making.
• Support young people to access skills, training, leadership, volunteering, enterprise and employability opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with schools, Teachers of the Deaf, audiology services, youth services, families and community partners.
• Develop referral pathways and promote the Youth Service to young people, families and partner organisations.
• Co-ordinate Sessional Youth Workers and Volunteers to ensure safe, inclusive and high-quality delivery.
• Ensure safeguarding, child protection, PVG, GDPR, consent, health and safety, and risk assessment procedures are followed.
• Maintain accurate records of attendance, feedback, outcomes and case studies.
• Contribute to reports for Young Start, Gannochy Trust and other funders.
• Work closely with the Project Manager to monitor delivery, budget use, outcomes and service development.
• Represent Deaf Action at meetings, events and forums as required.
• Carry out other appropriate duties as requested by the Project Manager.

Person specification

Essential

• Experience of delivering youth work with children and/or young people.
• Experience of planning and delivering group activities, workshops, events or youth programmes.
• Experience supporting young people to build confidence, wellbeing, independence and life skills.
• Experience involving young people in decision-making, activity planning or service development.
• Understanding of safeguarding, child protection, GDPR, consent and risk assessment.
• Strong organisational, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to build positive relationships with young people, families, schools and partners.
• Ability to work independently and manage a varied workload.
• Good administration and IT skills.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends and occasional residentials.
• Willingness to undertake British Sign Language training if not already proficient.
• PVG scheme membership, or willingness to apply.

Desirable

• Professional qualification in Youth Work, Community Learning and Development, Social Work, Social Care, Social Science or another relevant field.
• Experience working with deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind or disabled young people.
• Experience supporting a Youth Council, youth forum or peer leadership group.
• Experience co-ordinating volunteers or sessional workers.
• Experience supporting employability, digital skills, enterprise, volunteering or work placements.
• British Sign Language.
• Full clean driving licence.
• Outdoor activity skills.

Knowledge, skills and attributes

• Good understanding of youth work principles and inclusive practice.
• Knowledge of issues affecting deaf and hard of hearing young people and their families.
• Ability to create safe, accessible and culturally appropriate spaces for young people.
• Commitment to youth voice, participation and young people’s leadership.
• Flexible, proactive and able to adapt to young people’s needs.
• Committed to equality, inclusion, safeguarding and accessible communication.
• Able to work collaboratively as part of a wider team.
• Able to motivate young people and support them to recognise their strengths.

Other requirements

• Regular evening and weekend work will be required.
• PVG checks will be required before appointment.
• British Sign Language training will be provided if required.

The role is funded through Young Start and Gannochy Trust until May 2027, subject to continuation funding.

What’s on offer?

• Occupational pension scheme with employer contributions of 6%
• 32 days leave pro rata (inc bank holidays) pro rata for part time
• Long service benefits
• Day off on your birthday
• 24/7 access to an Employee Assistance Programme provided by Health Assured
• In-house Mental Health First Aiders
• Death in service benefit
• Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and IT Voucher Scheme
• Ongoing support for learning and development through our PDR process
• BSL course, if required

We are currently looking to recruit support workers to join our small team within Inclusion Alliance. The role involves supporting people with learning disabilities to be included in the community and lead an ordinary life. Your work would involve helping people to access educational, social, leisure and work or volunteering opportunities in the community.

No experience or formal qualifications are necessary for the role although a caring nature, positive attitude and a sense of fun are important characteristics to have. New staff will receive paid training and undertake shadow shifts with experienced staff members during induction. We want new staff to feel ready and able to work prior to working on their own for the first time.

We have various vacancies available including part time and relief/casual positions in various locations throughout Edinburgh.

Working hours are based between the hours of 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

We have various permanent and casual vacancies available.

Relief/Casual pay rate- £13.45

Candidates must be caring, motivated and have excellent communication skills whilst being committed to working in a person-centred way ensuring that support is built around the supported person’s wishes and needs.

Benefits include

• Employer contributory pension scheme
• Funded SVQ 3 qualification and learning opportunity
• Paid annual leave entitlement
• Regular paid supervision sessions
• Regular paid training and development opportunities
• Daytime Monday to Friday working
• Working for a well-established small organisation where person centred values are at the core.Free 24/7 access to employee support app

Job Purpose:

Established in 1924 St Joseph’s Services has over 100 years’ experience of supporting adults with learning disabilities within Midlothian and surrounding areas. We need confident, professional, inspirational leaders to support staff teams, the people who use the services and their families and stakeholders.

We provide Care at Home services to adults living in their own homes. This post represents an opportunity for the right person to inspire and lead a team, creating the best possible environment for the people we support to live independent, fulfilling lives as part of their local community.

Along with your Practice Development Leader, you will be part of a Circle of Best Practice and you will be expected to contribute to the Organisational strategy and operations of the Circle and St Joseph’s Services as a whole.

The post-holder will uphold St Joseph’s Services Christian Principles and Vincentian Philosophy and Values.

Requirements:

• An ability to demonstrate and put into practice St Joseph’s Services core values of trust, respect, choice, friendship, inclusion, skills and hope
• To have obtained or be prepared to work towards SVQ Social Services and Healthcare at SCQF Level 3 or equivalent
• PLUSwilling to undertakeSupervisory or Management Qualification (minimum 15 credits at SCQF 7)
• (please refer to SSSC qualification requirements for registration
• Ability to meet registration requirements for supervisor for SSSC.
• A passion for and knowledge of person centred support particularly as it applies to working with people with a learning disability
• Good communication skills
• IT Skills and ability – confident and self-sufficient using IT and a working knowledge of Microsoft office
• Ability to motivate self and others
• Ability to work on own initiative, lead a team and work as part of a team.
• Knowledge of key worker system
• Able to provide personal care/support
• Able to work flexibly (our staff work a variety of hours, including overnight shifts or sleepover, depending on the role).
• Participate where necessary in social activities, outings/holidays with people using the service.
• Be respectful and supportive of individuals religious and cultural heritage
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in relation to all aspects of your work
• Full driving licence