Community Outreach Researcher
To make a difference we need to work flexibly, with everyday-leadership, humour and a ‘can do’ attitude. We want to make it easy, make it right, and make it happen.
Introduction
Approximately 5,700 people in Scotland experience three or more severe
disadvantages at the same time: homelessness; substance dependency; and the
revolving door of criminal justice. Most people facing Severe and Multiple
Disadvantages (PSMD) have experienced adverse childhood experiences, and go
on to suffer worse health outcomes, report lower quality of life, and die more than 30
years younger than the wider population. Scotland has the highest drug related
death rate in Western Europe. The people that we support are often living in
temporary accommodation, homeless or roofless and have difficulty engaging with
building based services.
We have co-produced a health, social care and vocational needs based
collaboration called PHOENIx. PHOENIx is an outreach intervention offered by NHS
Pharmacists or Nurses who have undergone extra training to clinically assess and
prescribe medicines, and community outreach workers from third sector homeless
charities who can address relational injury, social security benefits, housing, and
encourage pathways to meaningful activities and employability initiatives. Preliminary
studies show PSMD value.
In an exploratory trial, there were signs that PHOENIx reduced: non-fatal overdose; A&E visits; and hospitalisations, while improving quality of life. A gold standard trial (a randomised controlled trial) is now needed to find out whether PHOENIx really prevents overdoses, improves health, increases treatment uptake, reduces societal costs, improves community connectedness and reduces offending behaviour. Alongside the planned randomised controlled trial, we will examine what helps or hinders roll-out of PHOENIx while assessing value for money.
About Simon Community Scotland
People are at the heart of who we are and what we do. We tailor our support to what people need. We offer consistent and informed support so that people can explore options and take ‘the next step’ towards a positive future. We welcome people with a wide range of skills and experiences to our team – including those who have lived through homelessness. To make a difference we need to work flexibly, with everyday-leadership, humour and a ‘can do’ attitude. We want to make it easy, makeit right, and make it happen.
The Simon Community is Scotland's leading homeless charity. We are creative and
innovative. We get things done with care and compassion that make a difference to
our community, being true to our values. We form a community; of staff, volunteers
and the people that we support.
Job Summary
Simon Community Scotland is working collaboratively with the University of Edinburgh to recruit 400 people from sites across Scotland to the Phoenix for severe and multiple disadvantage study. You will be working in various sites across Edinburgh to identify and recruit participants to the study and to conduct follow up interviews with these participants at nine months after recruitment. We are looking for someone with a non-judgemental approach, who can interview participants face-to-face in third sector venues, carry out near patient testing (BP, height, weight etc), complete study questionnaires and provide high street vouchers to participants upon completion of interview.
Job Purpose
● Create trusting relationships with participants that will break down barriers to
accessing services
● Identify eligible participants to the study
● Conduct face-to-face interviews
● Obtain informed consent to the study
● Complete interview questionnaires
● Conduct near patient testing
● Provide high street vouchers to participants upon registration to the study
● Improve participant relationships with healthcare through providing person
centred trauma informed practice
Responsibilities
● Complete Good Clinical Practice training and maintain GDPR standards (all
training will be provided)
● Good organisational and relational skills
● Ensure secure storage of participant data and regular hand-over of
questionnaires
● Maintenance of high street voucher log and ordering
● Good understanding of participant group and ability to raise concern if required
● Ability to work towards deadline of participant recruitment
● Maintaining contact with participants on the PHOENIx study (usual care and intervention arms)
● Conducting follow up interviews with registered participants at nine months
● Maintain contact with the wider study team
● Work in tandem with third sector venues etc to ensure safe working practice
● Maintain safe working order of all equipment
● Ordering consumables as required
● Attending study team meetings
● Work closely with lead researcher to achieve goals of recruitment, follow-up
and data management
Equipment Used
● Sphygmomanometer (BP machine)
● Weighing scales
● Measuring tape
● Oximeter (Blood oxygen level/pulse device)
● Paper CRFs
● Mobile phone
● Supply of high street vouchers
● Backpack/trolley
● COPD6 machine
Person Specification
Essential:
● SVQ Level 3 health and social care or equivalent (or willing to work towards)
● Experience in assertive outreach and engaging hard to reach individuals
● T4T Naloxone trained and can impart knowledge and skills through a range of
harm reduction principles eg: IEP, Naloxone, stigma, BBVs, safer injecting or
can work towards this
● In-depth knowledge of MAT Standards, SHORE Standards and Human Rights
Legislation
● Skilled in Trauma Informed Care, Psychologically Informed Environments
● In depth knowledge and experience of delivering harm reduction approaches
and principles
● Qualifications in drug and alcohol studies, community development, harm
reduction or alternative relevant qualification
● Data driven/ evidence based practice with a range of experience of data
gathering, monitoring and evaluation
● Have a genuine interest in research and how this can be translated into
improving lives/policy development
● Experience supporting people that have experience of homelessness or
substance use (minimum of 3 years)
● Experience in delivering assertive outreach at a range of settings
● Can work on own initiative and as an integral part of the research team
Desirable:
● Experience of creating stigma free safe spaces and service provision
● Experience of co-production and co-design with supported people
● Experience of leading volunteers
● Experience of working in partnership with a range of key stakeholders
● Knowledge of the key barriers people face when trying to access support and
services
● Knowledge of national priorities in Scotland to address drug related harms for
people experiencing homelessness
● Understanding of trauma informed approaches and knowledge of putting this
into practice
● Evidence of emotional resilience, creativity and flexibility
● Creative person that thrives in a fast paced environment
● Great communication skills who can build trusting relationships with a range
of people
- Department
- Staff
- Locations
- Edinburgh
- Yearly salary
- £27,598
- Reports to
- Head of Service (Edinburgh)
- Hours per week
- 37.5
- Closing date
- 11 November, 2024
- Contract Duration
- 20 Months (Fixed Term Contract)
About Simon Community Scotland
Visit the Simon Community Scotland Website for more information.
Check out our Job Opportunities and Volunteer Opportunities.
Community Outreach Researcher
To make a difference we need to work flexibly, with everyday-leadership, humour and a ‘can do’ attitude. We want to make it easy, make it right, and make it happen.
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