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 #OneTeam 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
The role is to support and engage with people to manage and recover their mental health, in line with our trauma-informed approach. You will help people with safer substance use and assist them with the process when they choose to stop. You will assist our people to build a positive network of connections to enable them to gain and sustain their own housing.
As a Community Connector, you will work alongside the outreach team to support people impacted by homelessness, addiction, mental health challenges and trauma. You will provide guidance and assistance to the people we support to achieve their goals of securing safe housing and accessing the necessary support to feel secure, manage their challenges and live an independent life free from harm or abuse.
The Community Connector approach focuses on a person's relationships within their local community and how they shape their life. Guided by person centred values, our North Lanarkshire Outreach Team stands alongside individuals to remove barriers, rebuild local connections, and promote positive relationships that nurture long-term well-being and independence.
We are looking for a passionate Community Connector / Support Worker dedicated to changing outcomes for people across North Lanarkshire, many of whom face significant trauma, social isolation, stigma, and systemic barriers. These challenges often isolate people from their local areas and lead to coping mechanisms that impact physical, emotional, and mental health. Despite these hurdles, the people we support show incredible resilience and possess unique strengths waiting to be reconnected with their surroundings.
Recognising that connection is the foundation of health and community stability, this role focuses on bridging the gap between individuals and their local spaces. You will act as a vital link connecting people to local courses, interest groups, classes, and community resources. Working to dismantle the barriers preventing active participation. Working as an integral member of the wider Outreach Support Team, you will link closely with local North Lanarkshire community hubs, college networks, third-sector groups, and health resources to create clear pathways into inclusive spaces.
You will be passionate about supporting and changing expectations and experiences of people we support, many of whom have experienced significant trauma, exclusion and stigma.
As a Support Worker in homelessness services, you'll be instrumental in empowering individuals affected by homelessness, addiction, challenging mental health and trauma. You'll provide compassionate, person-centred support, guiding them towards securing safe and stable housing and developing tools to manage their challenges. Your role is vital in helping people access essential resources, build resilience, and ultimately live a life free from harm and abuse.
As part of our Team, you will be at the forefront of supporting people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. You will work collaboratively with partner agencies in a supportive environment. The role involves providing both practical and emotional support, helping individuals to secure accommodation, access benefits, and connect with a wide range of health, wellbeing, and advocacy services.
Our team builds strong professional relationships with local authorities, support providers, and other external partners to ensure our support is coordinated and effective. You will adopt a harm reduction approach, providing advice and become Naloxone trained as needed.
Reporting to the Outreach Service Leads and, you will blend active community connection with direct support worker duties. Alongside leading community integration initiatives, you will at times carry a caseload and step in to provide flexible, cover-based key worker support (including sickness cover) when needed ensuring consistent, relational care across the team.
Shift Pattern-Monday-Friday 9-5. There will be a requirement to work one weekend in 7 and an additional late shift midweek.
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Community Connection & Mapping: Proactively identify, map, and build strong relationships with North Lanarkshire community groups, adult education providers, hobby clubs, recovery networks, and local courses to expand opportunities for supported individuals.
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Overcoming Integration Barriers: Work 1-to-1 alongside individuals to identify personal interests and systematically dismantle physical, emotional, or social barriers stopping them from accessing local community spaces (e.g., attending initial classes together, arranging travel, or building confidence).
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Flexible Support Worker Integration: Serve as an active member of the core Outreach Team, at times holding a small dedicated caseload and stepping in to provide direct housing and practical support, including team sickness and leave cover, to maintain continuity of care.
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Relational Outreach: Meet people where they are physically in their local neighborhoods, as well as emotionally and socially to build trusting, non-judgmental relationships that encourage social re-engagement.
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Multi-Agency & Partnership Collaboration: Partner effectively with internal outreach staff, local housing teams, NHS Lanarkshire, third-sector organisations, and community anchors to ensure smooth, holistic support pathways.
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Documentation & Impact Tracking: Maintain clear, accurate records of community connections, individual progress, case notes, and outcome monitoring tools to demonstrate reduced isolation and increased engagement.
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Reflective Practice & Team Contribution: Participate regularly in 1-to-1 supervision, team meetings, group reflective practice, and training sessions to continuously refine our Relationship First approach across North Lanarkshire.
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.
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Create and manage personalised support plans for people, prioritising tasks and managing resources effectively to help them achieve their goals.
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Monitor progress against established goals and adjust support plans as needed to ensure the best possible outcomes.
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Maintain accurate and detailed records of your contacts using our Netsuite platform throughout your shift.
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Advance despite adversity, responding to challenging and difficult situations with a calm, professional, and composed approach.
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Handle sensitive decisions with compassion and due regard for others, maintaining a positive and proactive attitude.
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Act with care and compassion, demonstrating a clear commitment to the role and its importance in empowering individuals to live independently.
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Bring hope through your words and actions, helping to build trust and change public perception of the causes of rough sleeping.
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Carefully analyse problems, breaking them down into parts to find practical, person-centred solutions.
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Innovate and be creative to find solutions that are a perfect fit for someone, irrespective of their background of the problem they are facing.
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When someone isn't at their best, quickly recognise that there may be an underlying issue and find ways to respond with care.
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Work with colleagues in a supportive and collaborative way, fostering team togetherness and a positive, problem-solving vibe.
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Be a reliable member of the team, participating actively in group meetings and sharing insights to improve our service continuously.
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Foster positive relationships with our partners to ensure our support is coordinated and effective.
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Communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders, including service users, partners, and other colleagues, adapting your communication style to be clear, empathetic, and respectful.
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Encourage the participation and inclusion of the people you support by exploring choices and options with them in an accessible way.
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Embrace and champion digital inclusion, helping clients, staff, and volunteers to connect, understand, and use digital tools safely. You will use our G-Suite, Chromebook, and smartphone to facilitate this.
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Play an active role in our social media strategy by helping to create blogs, videos, and posts to change society's misconceptions about homelessness.
Essential
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SVQ 3 social care or willing to work towards qualification
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SSSC registered
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Ability to work within the parameters of the SSSC Code of Practice
Desirable
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Trauma informed practice
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ASIST / MHFA / SafeTalk trained
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Naloxone trained
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Mental health or addictions qualifications
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De-escalation skills
Essential
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Experience of providing support to people with a ranges of challenges; homelessness, mental health, trauma and addictions
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Experience of working in a fast paced environment which requires quick decision making
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Experience in managing and resolving conflict in a safe, calm manner
Desirable
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Experience of working across multi-agencies
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Networking and connecting skills
Essential
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Experience of working with people with a variety of individual and cultural beliefs
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Ability to use empathy and relational skills to build positive relationships with our community and colleagues
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Understanding of and ability to work within ethical and relational boundaries
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Knowledge and understanding of homelessness, addictions and mental health
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Evidence of good communication skills, written and verbal
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Worked with a range of digital systems
Desirable
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Understanding of services that support homelessness, addictions and mental health
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Use of G-Suite systems
Essential
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A good team player with the ability to lead by example
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Manage adversity while working in a complex ecosystem
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Flexible, responsive
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Honest, ethical and keen to overcome obstacles
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Have the ability to reflect on your practice
Desirable
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A desire to learn and to develop innovative practice
To be eligible for this position, we require candidates to either hold British citizenship or have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor applications from candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.
