Are you ready to help people find a place to call home — and the support to make it last?
We are recruiting a Support Worker to join our Outreach programme based in Hamilton.You’ll build trusting relationships and work alongside people to identify their goals, develop practical skills and feel more connected to their community. Working with South Lanarkshire Council and other agencies, you’ll help people move from temporary to permanent accommodation or maintain their existing tenancy. You’ll work flexibly across our IS1 Targeted Support Service and YourPath Outreach service.
Your role
- Manage your own caseload, keeping in regular contact through face-to-face meetings and telephone support.
- Create and review support plans with people, making sure their voices, strengths and aspirations guide the support they receive.
- Help people develop everyday skills, including budgeting, shopping, cooking and managing tenancy responsibilities.
- Support people to maximise their income, access benefits and connect with relevant services and meaningful activities. Offer emotional support, advocate for people’s rights and help them build connections in their local community.
- Keep accurate, timely records and work collaboratively with colleagues and partner agencies.
- Maintain professional boundaries, follow safeguarding procedures and take part in training, supervision and reflective practice.
What you’ll bring
You’ll bring a respectful, compassionate approach and the ability to build relationships without judgement. You’ll have experience in a similar environment, including supporting people through crises and helping to de-escalate potential conflict.
- Knowledge of housing and homelessness issues, relevant legislation and policies, and housing and other benefits.
- Understanding of trauma, mental health, alcohol and drug use, and how these can affect people’s lives.
- Knowledge of safeguarding and adult protection policies and procedures.
- Strong communication, teamwork, caseload management and time-management skills.
- Confidence using Microsoft Office, maintaining records and writing clear reports.
- Flexibility to respond to changing needs and crisis situations, including at short notice.
- First aid awareness or certification.
- An SVQ Level 2 in Social Services and Healthcare, an equivalent SCQF qualification, or willingness to work towards this.
- A driving licence and access to a car for work, with insurance covering domestic and business use, and the ability to travel across the agreed area.
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Understanding of Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE) principles and knowledge of local resources and programmes would also be helpful.
Our Offer
- Six weeks’ annual leave in your first year, rising to eight weeks in your second year, including public holidays.
- The option to buy or sell five days’ annual leave.
- People’s Pension enrolment from day one if eligible, with 5% employer and 5% employee contributions.
- Life insurance worth four times your salary.
- Enhanced family-friendly and compassionate leave.
- 24-hour support through our Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Hub and self-care resources.
- Trauma-informed training, an annual development plan and funded SVQ qualifications for appropriate roles.
- Health Shield, Cycle to Work, Glasgow Credit Union offers, Blue Light Card access and other employee rewards.