Committed to being 'Fit for the Future', Frontline Fife is now embarking on rolling out its new strategy which will direct the charity over the next three years. To support us in delivering our Housing Advice, Advocacy and Support services to meet the needs of a broader range of people wishing to live independently and securely, we are now seeking to recruit for the role of Housing Advice and Advocacy Officer.

The Housing Advice & Advocacy Officer will work to prevent housing insecurity by empowering individuals to choose housing options which are right for them and their circumstances and, where needed, assist them to exercise their rights to access or maintain a safe and secure home. This work is delivered under the Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice Providers (SNSIAP) and is funded by the Scottish Legal Aid Board.

Following the success of our established Housing First for Youth service in Fife, we’re expanding our team and creating exciting opportunities for new colleagues to join us. This is an opportunity to build on the strong foundations already in place, extending our impact and continuing to support young people to access and sustain a home of their own, with the right support to build a positive future. We’re looking for passionate, committed people who share our belief that every young person deserves a safe, secure place to call home and the opportunity to thrive.

Reporting to: Team Leader

An exciting opportunity to join a team supporting people at risk of homelessness in a hospital setting

About the project

The Hospital In-reach service operates across 3 sites in Edinburgh; the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, the Western General Hospital and the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. The project supports people to complete courses of treatment within hospital, plan for a discharge into accommodation that suits their needs and provide follow up support to those with the most complex healthcare needs.

A quote from someone who used the service,

“You literally saved my life, I was sitting in my bed thinking I have nowhere to stay, and when they tell me to leave I will be on the streets in winter and won’t survive the cold or I would have to start using again and that would be it for me. Then you came into the ward to offer your service and it was like being sent an Angel to look out for me”

About the role

Working alongside clinicians in the hospital settings, you will provide one-to-one person-centred support to people in hospitals. You will work with individuals to enable them to identify housing options, personal outcomes and priorities for their health and wellbeing and link them to local support services and activities. The role works across multiple hospital sites, as well as community healthcare and accommodation settings. The role regularly involves lone working, with a need to work flexibly across multiple locations on any given day and can be physically demanding.

About you

You will have experience of working with people who are experiencing complex social and emotional circumstances, and a strong understanding of the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness. You will use your excellent interpersonal skills to deliver effective one-to-one work as well as manage relationships with multiple partner agencies.

You will be resilient and thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, with the ability to respond flexibly.

How we will support you

We will encourage you to be creative and innovative in your approach to supporting people.

You will be supported by friendly and close-knit team, have extensive opportunities for learning, and be a key part of the service development and systems change that makes up the current Health & Social Care landscape.

You’ll also have access to wider Cyrenians support, including our learning and development programme and staff wellbeing services.

About us

At Cyrenians we tackle the causes and consequences of homelessness. We understand that there are many routes into homelessness, and that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to supporting people towards more positive and stable futures. That’s why all our work is values-led and relationships-based.

Website: cyrenians.scot

One post is likely to focus on West Fife, with the second covering Central and East Fife, although both roles share the same responsibilities and will work collaboratively across the project. Applicants may express an interest in either area or both.

About the Project

Climate Wisdom is a dementia-friendly climate action project that supports people living with dementia, care partners and communities to feel inspired, empowered and confident to take positive, practical action on climate change. The project is led by Outside the Box and delivered in partnership with Meeting Centres Scotland, Heriot-Watt University, the Stockholm Environment Institute at the University of York, and community organisations across Scotland.

In Fife, the project is being delivered in partnership with STAND through its network of Dementia Friendly Meeting Centre Spaces.

What You'll Do

• Support people living with dementia and their care partners to participate in and shape the Climate Wisdom project.

• Help develop and facilitate creative activities, workshops, events and community conversations.

• Build connections between Meeting Centre Spaces and wider climate action activity across Fife.

• Encourage sharing of ideas, learning and good practice between communities.

• Support project monitoring, evaluation and reporting.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues from across the Climate Wisdom partnership.

What We Offer

• Flexible and family-friendly working arrangements.

• Home-based working.

• The opportunity to shape aspects of the role around your skills, experience and interests.

• A supportive and values-led team.

• Meaningful work that makes a difference to the lives of people living with dementia and their communities.

Additional Requirements

Regular travel throughout Fife is required. Applicants must be able to travel independently, hold a full current driving licence and have access to a vehicle. The successful candidates will be required to join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme.

About STAND (standinfife.org)

STAND is a Fife-based charity led by and for people affected by dementia. Through Dementia Friendly Meeting Centre Spaces, peer support, training, community projects, activism and influencing work, STAND supports people to live well with dementia and to use their skills, strengths and experiences to make a difference in their communities.