About Simon Community Scotland
Simon Community Scotland is the largest provider of homelessness services in Scotland. Our vision is for everyone to
have a safe place to live, with access to the support they need. Every day we help make positive things happen
for people facing extremely difficult circumstances. Everything we do is about and for people, the people we
support, our staff, our partners and everyone affected by homelessness. Our values are built into every area of
activity and tell the story of how people remain at the heart of Simon Community.
Day by day, person-to-person, we tailor what we offer to what people need. We are here to provide consistent,
friendly and informed support so that people can explore options and take 'the next step' towards a
positive future. We offer support across a range of service delivery points; Street Outreach teams, Housing
First initiatives, Floating Support, Information Hubs, Managed Alcohol Program (MAP), Supported Accommodations,
Emergency Accommodation, Rapid Access Accommodation, and our own rented properties. These services are delivered
across many local authorities within Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, Edinburgh and Perth.
We welcome people with a wide range of skills and experiences to our team. To make a difference, we need to work
flexibly, with everyday leadership and a 'can-do' approach. We want to make it right and make it happen
–not only for the people we support, but also for each other.
Our #OneTeam ethos is core to who we are, and it means caring for and supporting each other regardless of our role,
service or location. Find out more about our services here.
Our Support Services
Job Purpose
Working as a Service Coordinator within Simon Community Scotland’s Milestone service is a unique opportunity. You are
operating at the intersection of acute clinical care, harm reduction, social prescribing and residential
support.
Milestone is an intermediate care service designed for people experiencing homelessness who have complex health
needs. To succeed here, your role must bridge the gap between the Safer Services (risk management and
trauma-informed care) and the complex health issues (physical and psychosocial recovery). This is a great
opportunity for the right person.
Service Delivery
This role will support the Service Lead at Milestone with the day-to-day delivery of the service and the development
of our Safer Services Model at Milestone.
The Safer Services framework is about more than just physical safety. It focuses on psychological safety and reducing
harm in a way that keeps the person at the centre.
Trauma-Informed Triage
Work with the Service Lead to ensure that Milestone operates within the Safer Services model, informing MDT
decisions, creating holistic safety and wellbeing plans based on each person’s unique needs, and leading on
activity coordination.
Harm Reduction Coordination
Lead on Naloxone training, overdose prevention education, and providing safety plans for people when they move on
from Milestone. This includes social prescribing and community mapping.
Safe Transitions
Help remove the “cliff edge” of discharge by coordinating warm handovers between Milestone and community GP or harm
reduction services, healthcare providers, and community-based services.
Coordinate SCS Pathways
Ensure the service is connected with all relevant Simon Community Scotland services, including Street Services,
Housing First, VHS and Safer Communities, We See You, and StreetReads.
Job Summary
Community Mapping: “The Strengths-Based Approach”
In this role, community mapping isn’t just about making a list of nearby GPs. It’s about identifying the person’s
strengths and community and healthcare options and people that offer connection without judgement.
- Community Mapping: You will support the team to sit with a person to create a literal or digital map of their
“safe zones”. This includes identifying recovery cafes or services, libraries with digital hubs (like SCS’s Get
Connected, Gambling Harms or Streetreads), or green spaces that support mental wellbeing.
- Service
Landscapes: You will map the “warmest” routes to secondary care. For example, which pharmacies in Edinburgh are
most supportive of those on Opioid Substitution Treatment (OST)?
- Which dental practices specialise in
working with people with anxiety? Ensure the people we support are fully included in We See You and our
Edinburgh Support Hub and Edinburgh Pathways Services.
- Safety Mapping: Under the “Safer Services” model,
you will identify high-risk areas to avoid, helping the people we support plan transit routes that don’t pass
through areas associated with previous trauma.
- Suitable Accommodation: Ensuring the person moves on to a
suitable safe space, whatever that means to them.
- Expanding the Service Coordinator role to include
community mapping, reintegration, and psychosocial activities turns the position from a clinical facilitator
into a community connector for the guests at Milestone.
- In the Simon Community Scotland context, this
means moving beyond just “getting healthy” to “staying healthy by belonging”.
Reintegration: The Warm Handover
Milestone is a temporary stay. Reintegration is the most important phase of the journey.
- The Transition Bridge: You will coordinate with partners like Cyrenians or The Access Place to ensure that when
a person leaves, their health momentum doesn’t stop.
- Social Prescribing: Instead of just a medical
prescription, you might “prescribe” a peer-support group or a volunteering opportunity. You will physically
accompany a guest to their first session to lower the “barrier of the unknown”.
- Digital Inclusion:
Utilising SCS’s Get Digital model, you’d ensure that people have the hardware and the data to manage their own
health appointments and stay connected to their new community assets post-discharge.
Psychosocial Activities: Building Social Capital
Psychosocial support at Milestone focuses on the idea that recovery is easier when life is full of meaningful
alternatives to harmful activities.
- Therapeutic Connection to Nature & Arts: You might lead or coordinate sessions that allow for non-verbal
expression of trauma, such as gardening or outdoor activities.
- Community and Support Groups:
Facilitating groups that focus on the MAT Standards (Medication Assisted Treatment), helping people understand
their rights and empowering them to take an active role in their clinical decisions.
- Life Skills for
Independence: Practical psychosocial work like “Cooking for Health” on a budget or “Sleep Hygiene” workshops.
These activities reduce the anxiety of returning to independent living. These will be co-designed and co-created
in partnership with the people we support.
Admission
Health Outcome Focus: Acute medical stabilisation; BBV screening, attending
appointments, transport and advocacy, holistic healthcare planning and safety plans.
Psychosocial/Mapping Focus:Creating a “Safety Map” & building trust.
Mid-Stay
Health Outcome Focus: Medication adherence; chronic condition management.
Psychosocial/Mapping Focus: Engaging in group activities; identifying community
assets.
Discharge
Health Outcome Focus: GP registration; “Warm” clinical handover. Warm handovers
for health and housing services.
Psychosocial/Mapping Focus: First visit to a community hub; digital health
setup.
Post-Stay
Health Outcome Focus: Reduced A&E presentations.
Psychosocial/Mapping Focus: Enhanced community networks and engagement.
Sustained social connection; peer support engagement.