About Simon Community Scotland

People are at the heart of who we are and what we do. Day-by-day, person-to-person, we tailor what we offer to what people need. We’re here to provide consistent, friendly 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’ spirit. We want to make it easy, 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. This is how we roll. We want people who share these values to join us and become a part of the Simon Community Scotland family.

Job Summary

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 are a community of staff, volunteers and the people that we support.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about changing expectations and experiences of people we support, many of whom have experienced significant trauma, exclusion and stigma. They often engage in risk taking behaviours that put their physical and mental health, and their lives at risk. Despite the challenges they face they have incredible resilience, survival skills and a wicked sense of humour. They know what a good, and not so good service looks like.

Job Purpose

As part of our Access HUB Team you'll be working with people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness in a supportive and collaborative environment alongside our partner agencies. This also includes refused asylum seekers, people awaiting settlement under the EUSS and recently granted refugees.

We provide both practical and emotional support, helping people to access accommodation, benefits, housing advice, health and wellbeing services, personal development opportunities as well as a wide range of support services.

Our team builds and maintains strong professional relationships with a variety of external partners (local authorities, support providers, emergency services, the home office etc) to ensure the support we offer is coordinated and effective.

We adopt a harm reduction approach in our practice and an element of this includes providing harm reduction advice and Naloxone. Full training is provided.

Key Responsibilities

Warmth and Regard

Recognising and valuing everyone (Equality and Diversity)

Offering a friendly personalised and caring service

Treating people with kindness, dignity and respect

Acting with compassion

Showing warmth and welcome to everyone

Taking difficult decisions sensitively and with due regard to others

Taking a calm, professional and intelligent approach to stigma

Inclusion and Participation

Participation in group team meetings to aid continuous improvement of our service user and volunteer experience

Encouraging the participation and inclusion of people we support

Participation in group team meetings to aid continuous improvement of our service

Exploring choices and options with people we support or fellow colleagues

Making things easy for others

Mapping suspected rough sleeping sites

Embracing technology in delivering your role*

Supporting clients, staff and volunteers to become digitally included*

Personalised and Creative

Innovation and creativity

Helping to find solutions that are a good fit for someone, irrespective of who they are or the problem they have

When someone isn’t at their best, quickly recognising there’s probably something else going on, and finding ways to respond with care

To build on our current street cycle volunteer pool

Supportive and Ambitious

Work to change the public perception of causes of rough sleeping

Helping to bring hope through our words and actions

Helping to build trust

Being supportive and showing care

Partnership and Collaboration

To support Street Change to reduce street begging

Fostering positive relationships with our partners

Maintaining a record of the people you have been in contact with throughout your shift (using Netsuite)

Support all aspects of RSVP when required

Building team togetherness and collaboration

Fostering a positive problem-solving vibe

Leadership and Learning

Making things happen

Motivating and inspiring others

Taking time to reflect on what’s working and what isn’t

Taking care of our ‘places and spaces’ so they feel tidy and welcoming

Asking for help and learning to do things better

Playing an active role in our social media strategy*

*These core digital responsibilities are part of every role at the Simon Community.

Digital inclusion is embedded as part of our service delivery. Some of the people we support have little experience and knowledge of the internet and using email. If you are in a frontline role, you will be expected to help them connect, understand and be safe, and promote digital inclusion for people unable to access the benefits of the online world. As a team member, you are also expected to be an ‘active learner’ yourself and support colleagues’ digital learning (e.g. sharing tips or advice on using our systems), so that we all get better at using digital tools.

Our digital platform is a key part of our working environment. Our operating platform is GSuite, a cloud based system that will allow you to share files, collaborate, communicate, meet and access the organisation remotely. We will provide you with a Chromebook and android smartphone to do this. Our Management Information System (MIS) is Netsuite. You will be trained in using Netsuite and its application. We have a team intranet – the IMPACT Platform – for updates, resources and ‘all things Simon’.

Sharing our work publically helps to change society’s misconceptions about homelessness and generate support. We use various forms of social media to inform, communicate, gather support and share what we do including websites, youtube, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. We expect everyone to share what we do through various media outlets – e.g. helping to create blogs, videos, social media posts, information pieces and news items. This helps people understand what we do better understand homelessness. This helps grow public empathy for people we support. We also get a huge amount of support from people and organisations so we want to share what we do as a result of that support

Person Specification

Training and Qualifications:

Essential:

SVQ 3 social care or willing to work towards.

SSSC Registered or willing to become so.

Desirable:

Trauma informed practice

Assist/MHFA/SafeTalk trained

Naloxone trained

Mental health or addictions qualifications

Experience:

Essential:

Experience of providing support to people who are facing extremely difficult circumstances and living with the effects of trauma

Experience of working in a fast paced environment which requires quick decision making

Desirable:

Proven track record of working in multi agency team

Ability to build positive networks and connections

Knowledge and Skills:

Essential:

Understanding of the issues faced by people who use services.

Understanding of regulatory requirements including Care Inspectorate, H&SCS and
SSSC.

Ability to use empathy and relational skills to build positive relationships with our
community and colleagues.

Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Strong digital skills.

Desirable:
Knowledge of harm reduction (substance use).

Understanding of services that support homelessness across the city.

Knowledge of homelessness including current and future issues facing the sector.

Understanding of homelessness legislation.

Knowledge of welfare benefits entitlements and how to access.

Knowledge of local health, housing and social care issues.
.
Personal:

Essential:

Be a positive person who leads by example.

Be a good colleague and enjoy being part of a diverse team.

Commitment to Simon Community Scotland’s values.

Strong relationship building and interpersonal skills.

Positive, solution focused approach.

Ability to work under pressure and achieve results.

Willingness to learn and to drive own development.

Approach that allows delivery of the responsibilities outlined in the job description.

Recognition that we work with people with a wide range of experiences and cultural backgrounds treat them with dignity, respect and kindness.