An exciting opportunity to join our new Peer Ethnic Minorities Service requires someone to join our West Lothian team on a part time basis in the Peer Support & Development worker role.

The particular focus for this role is to develop creative and innovative ways to reach out and support the people from minority ethnic communities in West Lothian who are most isolated and vulnerable within their community, ensuring people get the help and support they need.

Within this role, you will be responsible for the creation of a minority ethnic steering group involving other agencies and organisations across West Lothian to help improve this service for the community who access it.

You will work in a person centered and strength-based way. One to one support and groups will be delivered in various community venues across West Lothian or on video platforms such as Zoom.

All staff are working in a blended way with access to an office base in Bathgate for essential work, risk assessed community work, and homeworking. Travel is required across West Lothian. Flexibility in working hours will also be expected to meet the needs of people we support.

Around since 1923, SAMH is Scotland’s national mental health charity. We have represented the voice of people most affected by mental health problems in Scotland for almost 100 years. Today, in over 60 communities we work with adults and young people providing mental health social care support, services in primary care, schools and further education, among others.

These services together with our national programme work in See Me, respectme, suicide prevention and active living; inform our policy and campaign work to influence positive social change. SAMH is dedicated to mental health and wellbeing for all: with a vision of a society where people are able to live their lives fully, regardless of present or past circumstances.

For Scotland’s Mental Health

About the Role

The Hive is a SAMH service situated in the grounds of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital providing an activity centre and coffee bar for in- patients of the hospital. The Hive is a fun lively place to work, we offer a welcoming space for patients away from the wards where they can get involved in activities and social events e.g. art, clay modelling, t-shirt printing, jewellery making, creative writing, support groups, seasonal events, pilates, yoga, karaoke, quizzes and many more!

If you have creative skills that you would like to share and have some experience of mental health we would love to hear from you.

The successful candidate will assist in the day to day running of the coffee bar serving drinks, snacks, keeping the coffee bar area clean and tidy in line with food hygiene regulation. They will also be responsible for leading and encouraging patient involvement in activities in the Hive activity centre, this can be providing group work such as exercise (e.g. walking group, yoga), support groups (Hearing Voices, SMART addictions and Self Harm). They will also be expected, to provide activities and events such as arts, crafts and music groups.

The post will also involve promotional and administrative tasks. The post requires flexibility in the hours that you are available to work.

Applications are welcome from people who have experienced mental health difficulties. PVG Scheme Membership, a Right to Work in the UK check and proof of qualifications declared on the application form are required.

What we are looking for

Creative and enthusiastic person to work with our small team to ensure a welcoming environment for in-patients. Experience of mental health and associated challenges desirable. Skills and experience in one or more arts, crafts, yoga/pilates, music or support groups is essential. All Hive staff work on the coffee bar too, so a hygiene certificate is essential or willingness to work towards, training provided.

What we will provide for you

You will work in a supportive environment and will be provided with a full induction and training opportunities. You will be given the chance to develop your knowledge and skills, as well as develop professionally. Some of our benefits include;

• Reimbursement of PVG, Disclosure costs.
• Funded continuous learning and development opportunities, access to over 100 courses online in addition to classroom and virtual training sessions
• 30 days annual leave rising to 33 after 5 years’ service (pro rata)
• 4 public holidays (pro rata)
• 2 paid wellbeing days off per year to use on what matters to you (pro rata)
• Team wellbeing budgets
• Workplace pension scheme
• Life Assurance policy
• Employee Assistance Programme

Change Mental Health is a leading national mental health charity providing unique support to people with severe and enduring mental ill health. With over 50 years’ experience across Scotland, we believe people affected by poor mental health and illness deserve the highest quality of support in the community and that every person has the right to be valued and to share in the opportunities, challenges, and joys of everyday life.

Change Mental Health is determined to be the leading source of information, advice and guidance on Mental Health and Mental Illness in Scotland. We want to make sure that everyone has the information and advice they need to make the right decisions for themselves and their families.

About the role:

The Advice and Support Officer is a specialist role, providing information, advice and support to people experiencing or impacted by mental illness via our Advice and Support Service. This will include providing support to those who are struggling with their mental health and money or housing needs, as well as supporting Change Mental Health staff, Professionals and members of the public looking for high-quality and reliable information around mental health support. This role will play a crucial part in representing Change Mental Health by being the first point of contact for those looking for support, whether that is over the telephone, email or virtually. In addition, you will be triaging enquiries as they come through to ensure we are providing a timely and efficient service and managing a case load and structured appointments. This role will work remotely and in the community to provide person-centered guidance, support and representation, as required. The Advice and Support Officer role will assist clients through providing information, emotional support, specialist advice, advocacy and representation, including in-depth financial assessments, income maximisation, debt management and tribunal representation. They will adhere to rigorous guidelines and regulations ensuring that people receive the highest quality service possible and are committed to working to Type 1 to Type 3 SNSIAP and FCA standards. The Advice and Support Officer will offer both more general Information, Advice and Guidance to people seeking information and support and will also provide in depth casework support as needed. The Advice and Support Officer will work with a degree of autonomy and is a team player and play a role in developing and promoting the service. The role supports the Service Manager to meet national and funder criteria, contributing to analysis, reviews and consultations to gather evidence and highlight the issues that our client base face.

Key Responsibilities:

• I work closely with the Service Manager to achieve strategic and operational outcomes

• I provide emotional support to clients accessing support from our Advice and Support Service throughout their journey

• I review client support needs to ensure that wider health and wellbeing outcomes are being achieved

• I take shifts answering general enquiries from the public through telephone, webchat or email.

• I assess clients needs and entitlements and provide specialist help and support to maximise income through claiming welfare benefits, accessing grants and managing debts

• I provide housing advice and advocacy where appropriate

• I represent at tribunals as and when required

• I liaise with a range of specialist agencies to achieve the best outcomes for service users

• I set up appointments and case records and signpost and refer to other services as needed

• I maintain high quality case recording adhering to SNSIAP

• I maintain accurate and confidential records and report on outcomes following regulations and quality standards

• I gather and help to collate statistics to build an evidence base for policy development and influence

• I will meet targets set by my line manager/ Change Mental Health

• My focus is ensuring continuity of service within the context of Change Mental Health values and strategic outcomes

• I ensure that careful and ongoing review systems are in place and maintained

• I build positive working relationships with local partners to better support our service users and to promote the work of Change Mental Health

• I contribute to Research and Development at a local and national level in support of National objectives to promote service improvements

• I ensure that all Health and Safety responsibilities within practice settings are fulfilled

Essential Criteria:

• I have experience of providing welfare advice directly to clients • I hold a recognised professional money/welfare advice training or qualification such as Wiser Adviser or CPAG

• I have experience working in mental health and advice settings • I work well as part of a team but can also work autonomously

• I rigorously maintain a client- centred approach

• I work in a timely and conscientious manner

• My value base is consistent with the aims and objectives of Change Mental Health

• I apply an analytical approach to problems in order to find solutions

• I am competent in planning and reviewing development plans and taking appropriate action if needed

• I have excellent interpersonal skills and can listen to other and communicate clearly and concisely

• My IT skills are of a high standard and I have experience of working with electronic case management systems (such as Advice Pro, CASTLE or MACS)

• I recognise the importance of professional support and supervision and fully take part in the processes that Change Mental Health establish.

• I am keen to develop my knowledge and skills and attend training as required

Benefits

Professional development including funded opportunities.

A generous 37 days’ holiday.

A 35-hour working week & access to a season ticket loan.

A great work life balance with flexible and blended working environment.

24/7 access to an award-winning Employee Assistance Programme providing free legal, financial and medical advice as well as support with life’s challenges.

Enhanced sick pay and leave entitlements

Paid Mental Wellbeing Days

Cycle to Work Scheme

Blue Light discount card

Established in 2016, Future Pathways supports people who experienced childhood abuse or neglect while living in care in Scotland. Our vision is that each of the people we work with has support to live full, healthy and independent lives. Our innovative and trauma informed staff work together with each person to identify their needs, what is important to them and the specific outcomes they wish to achieve. Relevant support is then explored and put into place. This might range from help to access courses or training, purchase of material items or purchased services.

Guided by the Alliance’s vision and principles, this role will lead a team of Support Coordinators to deliver effective, and high quality support to each of the people supported by Future Pathways.

Curiosity, empathy and a focus on learning will enable consistency of practice and good use of resource. An element of direct support to individuals is envisaged to enable appreciation and responsiveness to the full range of demands on the service.

Knowing how important wellbeing is to resilience, you will prioritise self-care and hold boundaries in all areas of work and encourage others to do the same.

The post holder will be guided by Future Pathways’ Outcome Pathways and Quality Framework in monitoring performance and contributing to evolving good practice.

You should be a member of the PVG scheme.