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 the Simon Community.

Job Summary

We are a caring and compassionate team of 9 and, have a vacancy due to retirement, Supporting people living in the city of Perth and North Perthshire. 

Assisting people who have been classed as homeless who may have been living in
temporary accommodation, sofa surfing, or fleeing abuse - the list is endless. 

We provide 1:1 person-centred support to help people to sustain their tenancy. With face-to-face contact, we get to know the person, build trusting relationships, lead by example, and look after ourselves and each other.

We welcome people with a wide range of skills and experiences – including those who have lived through life experiences.

We are flexible, humourous, and have a ‘can do’ spirit.  Walking alongside people to help build their confidence and give them the tools so they can do this on their own.

Job Purpose

The role of a Floating Housing Support Worker (FHSW) will be to provide positive, practical, and emotional support to people in their homes who use our service, focusing on goals, promoting choices, and encouraging personal responsibility.

Multi-agency work, by building and maintaining effective professional relationships with a range of external partners we can ensure support for the people is tailored to their needs and their voices are heard.

People who use our services are often excluded from many other places and are often quite hard to reach, so a can-do attitude is essential. So our team are expert in building positive relationships with people who understandably find it difficult to trust others, demonstrating perseverance and resilience.

You will be responsible for maintaining your own caseload and service records. You will ensure that the service you provide is delivered in line with the Scottish Social Services Council’s Codes of Practice for Social Services

 - Any other duties directed by your Service Leader

Key Responsibilities

Warmth and Regard
-Treating people with kindness, dignity and respect
-Act with compassion and discretion.
-Recognises and values everyone (equality and Diversity).

Inclusion and Participation
-Builds local partnerships to understand the needs of each service locality
-To provide quality services to people through effective planning, monitoring, 
and reviews.
-Participating in organizational initiatives and opportunities to engage with
colleagues and services across Simon Community Scotland
-Embracing technology in delivering your role.

Personalized and Creative
-Working with people to plan support that is person-centred and responsive to
their needs and wishes being creative in your approach.
-Have a can-do attitude, to find solutions that are a good fit for someone, irrespective of who they are or the problem they have.
-Be intuitive, so when someone isn’t at their best, quickly recognize there’s probably something else going on and find ways to respond with care.
-Being adaptable and flexible, as things can change quickly.

Partnership and Collaboration
-Working and building a positive relationship and working in partnership with other
providers.
-Deliver evidence-based outcomes for people.
-Demonstrates and promotes resilience

Leadership and Learning
-To act as an advocate, or facilitate advocacy, where appropriate by acting on behalf of
people who use the service
-Ensure your practice complies with all SCS policies & procedures, with particular
reference to HR, health & safety, equalities & diversity and confidentiality
-Maintaining SSSC registration and PVG membership
-Keep abreast of developments within the field and undertake relevant training and
learning development as necessary and sharing with others.

Person Specification

Training and Qualifications:

Essential:
- SVQ 3 social care or willingness to work towards
- SSSC Registered or willing to become so

Desirable:
- Trauma-informed practice
- Assist/MHFA/SafeTalk trained

Experience:

Essential:
- Being creative in working alongside people.

Desirable:

- The lived experience of homelessness
- Experience working with a range of agencies as a team
- Networking and connecting skills

Knowledge and Skills:

Essential:
- Understanding of the issues faced by people who use services
-Understanding of regulatory requirements including SCSWIS, SSSC, HSCS
- Good digital skills or desire to learn

Desirable:
- Knowledge and understanding of homelessness, addictions, and mental health
- Evidence of good communication skills, written, verbal and digital

Personal:

Essential:
- Able to lead by example.
- A team player.
- A desire to learn and to develop innovative practice
- Flexible, responsive