Support Assistant - Edinburgh, United Kingdom - Rock Trust

Description

Job Title:
Support Assistant

Contract:
(Fixed term until 31 March hours per week

Location:
Edinburgh with some home working and occasional travel across central Scotland

Salary:
£20,546 - £22,239.65 per annum (depending on experience)

Mission Statement
To prevent youth homelessness and to support young people to build better futures.


Context

The Support Assistant a key member of our team, working directly with young people to provide emotional and practical support on a 1:1 basis.

Working with young people in their supported tenancy and in their local community, their support will help ensure that a young person's experience of homelessness is rare, brief and non-recurring.

The Support Assistant will work alongside and be supported by our experience Project Workers to support young people to achieve the goals they have identified in their personal support plans.

This might include improving practical independent living skills such as cooking or budgeting, accessing other services or developing confidence to experience new things.

Reporting to
Project Worker


Responsibilities

Service Delivery:

Offer and provide direct practical, personal, emotional and social support to young people, as directed by the project team.

Collaborate with and assist Project Workers to support young people in planning and progressing into suitable move on accommodation options.

Support young people to establish and maintain tenancies (e.g., decoration, furnishing, cleaning and arranging repairs and maintenance, etc.).

Support young people to develop and improve their independent practical life skills (e.g., budgeting, cooking, maximising income and involvement in meaningful activities, etc.).

Help to advocate, where appropriate, on behalf of young people in relationships and communication with relevant external organisations.

Assist young people in accessing and understanding appropriate information, support and internal and external services, as identified in their personal support plans.

Where appropriate, use creativity in problem solving to develop innovative ideas and initiatives.
Maintain regular and accurate case notes, recording support provision and young people's achievements and progress.


Service Developement:

Contribute to the gathering and processing of relevant statistical information for regular reviews of services. romote and sustain positive links with individuals, groups and organisations to promote the Rock Trust and its services


Quality and Compliance:

Contribute to achieving the agreed standards of service and targets reflecting the aims and objectives of the Rock Trust, service level agreements or guidelines provided by statutory and regulatory authorities.

Leadership and Development

As part of Housing Support Team, provide effective and professional leadership, supporting and promoting the activities of Rock Trust and contributing significantly to building a high performing organisation.

To provide visible leadership and motivate staff to ensure that delegated responsibilities are achieved, and effective communication maintained.

Nurture a culture of Respect, Safety, Positivity and Fairness, that allows our colleagues to thrive, take appropriate risks and learn from mistakes.

Identify and make recommendations for improvements to contribute to the continuous operational improvement of the organisation.
Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, policies and best practice related to youth homelessness and community care.


Other
To act in accordance with Rock Trust values
To undertake other duties in line with the role as required.

This job description is not exhaustive.

It merely acts as a guide and may be amended to meet the changing requirements of the Rock Trust at any time after discussion with the post holder.

Person Specification

Essential
A willingness to work towards the SVQ 3 in Health and Social Care through a fully funded apprenticeship.
Experience of supporting individuals, including adopting creative approaches to maintain constructive and engaging relationships.
Experience in supporting individuals in developing and improving independent life skills.
Confident with verbal, listening and written communication, with attention to detail.
Ability to work to tight deadlines using your initiative.
Able to work well independently and as part of a team.
Basic IT skills, including using Microsoft packages (Word, Outlook, Teams).


Desirable
A practice qualification recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) for Support
Workers in a Housing Support Service
Knowledge of homelessness, mental health and isolation issues.
Knowledge of person-centred practice and psychologically informed environment and trauma informed approaches.
Experience of advocating on behalf of young people.
Ability to problem solve, using creative approaches to develop new ideas and initiatives.
Full UK drivi