Simonscotland

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 Simon Community. Day by day, person-to-person, we tailor what we offer to what people need. We are here to provide consistent, friendly and informed support so that people can explore options and take 'the next step' towards a positive future. We offer support across a range of service delivery points; Street Outreach teams, Housing First initiatives, Floating Support, Information Hubs, Managed Alcohol Program (MAP), Supported Accommodations, Emergency Accommodation, Rapid Access Accommodation, and our own rented properties. These services are delivered across many local authorities within Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, Edinburgh and Perth. We welcome people with a wide range of skills and experiences to our team. To make a difference, we need to work flexibly, with everyday leadership and a 'can-do' approach. We want to make it right and make it happen - not only for the people we support, but also for each other. Our ethos is core to who we are, and it means caring for and supporting each other regardless of our role, service or location. Find out more about our services here. Our Support Services Creating Safer Communities Creating Safer Communities (CSC) is a community centred initiative launched in May 2024 to address the complex challenges associated with antisocial behaviour, street drinking, substance use, begging, and homelessness across Edinburgh. The project was developed in response to a clear gap in provision for people experiencing multiple disadvantages, people who are often excluded from traditional 9-5 building based services, and instead congregate in public spaces, where unmet health and social needs can manifest as harmful street based behaviours. CSC takes a proactive, trauma-informed approach that prioritises early intervention, prevention, and long-term change, rather than relying solely on enforcement or crisis-led responses. Ultimately, Creating Safer Communities is not only transforming individual lives but reshaping how communities respond to homelessness and street based harm. By focusing on empowerment, connection, and opportunity, CSC is helping to create a safer, healthier, and more inclusive city, a city where people are supported to move away from crisis and towards stability, and where public spaces are safer and more welcoming for everyone. Job Purpose CSC engages with over 3000 people a year who are often described as "hard to reach", but more accurately are being let down by systems that don't meet their specific needs. Through this work, CSC has supported people to secure accommodation, access employment and training opportunities, receive digital devices and skills support, engage with harm reduction services such as naloxone training, and connect with healthcare, food provision, and wider community resources. Beyond these practical outcomes, the project has played a critical role in restoring a sense of choice, purpose, and possibility while offering alternatives to street based lifestyles that many had previously felt were inescapable. There is a strong emphasis on partnership working and collaboration with communities, local businesses and health services (including primary and secondary providers), housing and social care services across the city. Community comparison recognises the importance of partnerships and seeks to create a community that extends to projects and strategies that complement each other. Key outcomes will be to improve the health, wellbeing and opportunities for people affected by homelessness in order to prevent, reduce, and address high risk street activities that are harmful not only to the person, but the community as a whole. Another important aspect of this role will be using digital technology to improve access to health and wellbeing resources for people who are street focused, in order to prevent and address high risk street activities. This will involve creating and monitoring digital pathways to primary and secondary care, and demonstrating improvements that can be achieved. CSC works very closely with other Simon Community Scotland projects, one of which is Streetreads. For people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, Streetreads has provided a lifeline. The library provides a safe and welcoming space for people experiencing extreme poverty and deprivation to access literature, resources, educational materials, and human connection. The aim of Streetreads is to empower and uplift people facing difficult situations by offering them an opportunity for personal growth, learning, and a sense of belonging. Streetreads is the only physical library in the world that has been set up specifically to support people affected by homelessness. Since opening in 2020, the Library has gone from strength to strength. The space is now open 4 days a week and offers a diverse range of possibilities for people who are often excluded from cultural, artistic, and literary opportunities. Together, Streetreads and CSC have become an important part of the support that Simon Community Scotland provides in Edinburgh. There is often a lot of overlap between the services, and the successful candidate will work both with the CSC team and the Streetreads team. Key Responsibilities Fully involve and include people actively involved in potentially harmful street behaviours in understanding the causes, the consequences (for them and the community), and help to create opportunities for change. Run activity days and psychosocial groups with the support of CSC and Streetreads team. Help with the mapping of services, resources, partnerships, and stakeholders that will create opportunities for people who are street focused, with a focus on high pressure areas of Tron/Hunter Square. Work directly with Streetreads, We See You, Street Team, Digital Inclusion team, to ensure relevant development of psychosocial groups that meet the needs of this community. Provide digital and emotional support to people that are street focused. Put people are at the heart of what we do; co-production and codesign with supported people with lived and living experience. Assist in assessing people's immediate and long term needs, and the impact that the CSC project has on their situation. Provide assertive outreaches to increase awareness and recruit people for the CSC project. Provide outreach to local business, residents and groups to find creative solutions for city centre spaces. Digital and in person cross-agency visits to build upon collaboration and partnerships. Provide immediate individual holistic harm reduction support plans to people during the project. Assist with recruitment and training of volunteers to support the outreach, in-reach relational model to support people who are street focused. Help host regular in-person networking events to strengthen relationships. Work creatively and innovatively with the Service Lead to create a network of support for supported people. Any other duties directed by the Service Lead. Our Values Inclusion & Participation We include everyone in the services and resources they need, regardless of their circumstances and ensure each person's voice and influence are heard and felt in everything that we do. Personalised & Creative Each person we support is an individual with unique circumstances, needs and future potential which requires a uniquely tailored response. Warmth & Regard We see beyond a person's current or past circumstances, recognising their inherent value, worth and potential as human beings. Partnership & Collaboration We know we need to work positively with others to deliver a truly inclusive and personalised approach, improve our response and add value to the experience of the people we support. Supportive & Ambitious We encourage and support ambition, building on strengths to foster hope for the people we support as well as deliver growth and development for staff and volunteers. Core Competencies Planning and Organising Create and manage personalised support plans for people, prioritising tasks and managing resources effectively to help them achieve their goals. Monitor progress against established goals and adjust support plans as needed to ensure the best possible outcomes. Maintain accurate and detailed records of your contacts using our Netsuite platform throughout your shift. Resilience Advance despite adversity, responding to challenging and difficult situations with a calm, professional, and composed approach. Handle sensitive decisions with compassion and due regard for others, maintaining a positive and proactive attitude. Motivation Act with care and compassion, demonstrating a clear commitment to the role and its importance in empowering individuals to live independently. Bring hope through your words and actions, helping to build trust and change public perception of the causes of rough sleeping. Problem Solving Carefully analyse problems . click apply for full job details