This role is a new exciting initiative to support disabled people who face cross service barriers affecting their ability to live independent lives.

Are you passionate about helping people access the support, services and opportunities they need to live well and independently? The Independent Living Association is looking for a motivated, flexible and knowledgeable Community Navigator to work with individuals across rural Clackmannanshire, helping them overcome barriers, build confidence and connect with the right support at the right time.

About the role

Working predominantly in Clackmannanshire and rural areas of Forth Valley, the Community Navigator will provide person-centred support to individuals who need help accessing local services, community resources and statutory funded support. You will work closely with health, social care, voluntary sector and community partners, including our SDS Forth Valley service and Supporting in the Right Direction Project, to help people experience a more joined-up approach to independent living and wellbeing.

What you will do

You will:

• Provide one-to-one, person-centred support to individuals, helping them identify their needs, priorities and life outcomes.
• Offer information, guidance and practical support to help people access services such as housing, benefits, healthcare, mental health support, training and social groups.
• Support people to navigate complex systems and overcome barriers including digital exclusion, lack of confidence or lack of information.

Community engagement and partnership working

• Build and maintain strong relationships with local support networks, voluntary groups, statutory services and community organisations.
• Work collaboratively with partner organisations to provide coordinated, holistic support.
• Work closely with SDS Forth Valley to support individuals to understand and challenge barriers to social care and independent living.
• Support awareness raising through community events, meetings and outreach activity with the Supporting in the Right Direction team.

Advocacy, casework and professional practice

• Support individuals to advocate for themselves, make informed decisions and have their voices heard.
• Manage a caseload effectively, maintaining accurate and confidential records using agreed systems.
• Monitor progress, gather feedback and contribute to evaluation and reporting.
• Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns in line with local policies.
• Participate in supervision, training and continuous professional development.

About you

We are looking for someone who has:

• A full driving licence and access to a car are essential as you will be travelling throughout Clackmannanshire and the Forth Valley area
• Knowledge of social care legislation and the ability to interpret related legislation in practice.
• Experience working with individuals or communities in a support, guidance, advocacy or outreach role.
• •Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust with a diverse range of people.
• An understanding of local services, social issues and the barriers affecting vulnerable people and their families.
• The ability to manage a caseload, prioritise effectively and work independently.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusive practice.
• Good IT and administrative skills, including accurate record keeping.

It would also be helpful if you have:

• Community Brokerage Award
• Experience within the voluntary or community sector.
• Knowledge of health and social care systems.
• An understanding of trauma-informed or strengths-based approaches.
• Experience of constructively challenging barriers, inequalities or service gaps.

Our values

• Compassionate, respectful and person-centred.
• Solution-focused, creative and adaptable.
• Collaborative, with a commitment to working well with partners, colleagues and communities.
• Committed to continuous learning, improvement and inclusive practice.

Use your welfare rights expertise to tackle poverty and create lasting change

Edinburgh Food Project is seeking an experienced Welfare Rights Adviser to join our Money Advice Service.

Our outreach model delivers advice in food bank and community settings, helping us reach people who may not otherwise access support. You'll work directly with individuals experiencing financial hardship, providing high-quality advice, advocacy and casework that helps address both immediate needs and the root causes of poverty.

We're seeking a skilled adviser who can confidently navigate complex welfare, debt and housing issues, manage a varied caseload and maintain high standards of case recording and reporting. You'll combine technical expertise with a person-centred approach, building trust with clients and supporting them to take positive steps towards greater financial stability.

At Edinburgh Food Project, you'll join a supportive, values-led organisation where staff feel genuinely appreciated. We offer flexible and hybrid working, 34 days annual leave, enhanced family-friendly policies, generous sick pay, employer pension contributions, life assurance, wellbeing support and a commitment to learning and development.

If you're passionate about social justice, skilled in welfare rights advice, and motivated by helping people achieve lasting change, we'd love to hear from you.

The postholder will be expected to operate in line with our values which are: Justice, Equity, Trust, Collaboration and Compassion.

Overview:

All roles at OPFS contribute to our mission of working with and for single parent families, providing support that enables them to achieve their potential and help create lasting solutions to the poverty and barriers facing many single parents and their children. Our core values of Justice, Equity, Trust, Collaboration and Compassion are at the heart of everything we do and underpin all aspects of our work.

The Childcare Connector will contribute to the organisation’s vision of a Scotland in which single parents and their children are valued and treated equally and fairly, by supporting the delivery of various components which contribute to the Edinburgh service, including proactively supporting single parents to find, secure and access flexible childcare that meets their needs, allowing single parents to progress within their current employment, enter employment or enrol in education or training.

The role will include direct work with single parents to understand their needs, their current childcare limitations, and their current barriers to work, education or training. Liaising with childcare providers within Edinburgh, helping single parents access flexible childcare options and know and understand flexible payment options at local and national level is a key element of this role.

This role will include networking and events to promote the Childcare Connector service and will include outreach work with single parents, stakeholders, and partners in and around Edinburgh.

All roles at OPFS contribute to our mission of working with and for single parent families, providing support that enables them to achieve their potential and help create lasting solutions to the poverty and barriers facing many single parents and their children. Our core values of Justice, Equity, Trust, Collaboration and Compassion are at the heart of everything we do and underpin all aspects of our work.

Overview

The Advice and Information Service is a national support service for single-parent families and professionals across Scotland. It provides multi-channel advice on a wide range of topics, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity.

The Advice & Engagement Worker plays a key role in increasing awareness, accessibility and engagement with the OPFS Advice and Information Service. Working collaboratively with colleagues, partner organisations and professionals across Scotland, the postholder will promote the service, build effective partnerships and improve access to high-quality advice and information for single-parent families.

Working within the OPFS My Life and Me framework, the postholder will provide high-quality advice and information through a range of channels, deliver outreach activities, facilitate online practitioner webinars and advice clinics and build the confidence and knowledge of professionals supporting single-parent families. The role will also identify emerging issues affecting families and contribute to service development, policy and campaigning by highlighting trends and barriers experienced by those accessing the service.

The Advice & Information Service is part of OPFS Support for Families Services, providing holistic support to single parents and their children across Scotland. Our work is guided by the six My Life and Me priority areas

• Money
• Health & Wellbeing
• Home
• Work, Education & Training
• Children
• Relationships

Through a person-centred, strengths-based approach, guided by our organisational values of Justice, Equity, Trust, Collaboration and Compassion, we work alongside families to:

• Involve them in shaping the support they receive.
• Strengthen their skills, confidence and resilience.
• Support them to achieve their goals and aspirations.
• Influence positive change in their lives and communities.
• Challenge the barriers and inequalities that impact them.

The Advice & Engagement Worker will contribute to these outcomes by increasing awareness of OPFS services, ensuring families can access the right support at the right time, strengthening partnership working across Scotland and empowering both parents and professionals with the knowledge and confidence to navigate services and improve outcomes for single-parent families.