Community Link Workers - Across Argyll & Bute

Community Link Workers - Across Argyll & Bute

We are recruiting for 3 new Community Link Workers in Argyll and Bute to cover GP practices in:

• Islay and Inner Hebrides
• Helensburgh and Lomond
• Isle of Bute

These are permanent positions with flexibility in hours depending on your circumstances and the needs of the service. We can offer a minimum of 15 hours up to 37.5 hours/week for those willing to travel as part of the role. Ideally, you will be located in one of these areas to provide in-person support to the local GP practice.

Main Duties of the Job

We provide a mix of in-person appointments from GP practices, home visits, meetings at community-based venues, and remote support via telephone or an online platform. Some travel across Argyll and Bute to meet the needs of the service will be required. With You's, Argyll and Bute Community Links has been running in 12 GP practices since December 2021. We have had great success in establishing this service and we are now looking to grow our fantastic team to offer support to more people living in remote rural areas of Argyll and Bute.

Job Responsibilities

You will need an independent approach to your work and the ability to network and connect with services, locally and nationally. You will need to understand the impact of rurality on health inequalities and have demonstrable skills in working with people to achieve their health and wellbeing goals. You will be confident in working with communities to understand local needs.

Our Community Link Workers are uniquely placed third-sector workers operating within GP Practices. We bring a unique skill set and a third-sector perspective that complements the work of the multidisciplinary primary care team. Through 1:1 appointments, using evidence-based interventions and small group work we help people change their lives for the better. It is all about getting the right support to people at the right time.

Common reasons for referral to our service include low-level mental health difficulties, problems with housing, poverty, relationships, and bereavement. You can expect a comprehensive induction and training, alongside the support of an experienced team to support you in understanding your role.

Our team covers the whole of Argyll and Bute, and you will have monthly 1-1 support, 6-weekly reflective practice sessions, and team meetings online and in person. We have a supportive team culture and plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues.

Essential Skills

• Knowledge and experience of working with people who are experiencing complex social and emotional circumstances including mental health difficulties
• Ability to work in a structured service, to follow a service model and collect information about the impact of the service
• Extensive effective interpersonal skills in working with people on a 1:1 basis, including the ability to learn and use recognised therapeutic techniques
• Knowledge about the impact of poverty and health inequalities on health and wellbeing
• Ability to establish professional relationships with multiple stakeholders; i.e. GP Practice teams, Social Work, Mental Health Services, and Money Advice Services
• Evidence of creating and maintaining community connections and networking abilities
• Experience of working independently, whilst upholding the policy and procedures of the organisation
• Ability to organise own workload and appointment system and use time efficiently to deliver a targeted number of appointments

Ideally, you will also hold SVQ level 3 Social Services and Healthcare or equivalent, but this is not essential.

Should you be successful in your application, you will be required to provide 3 years' worth of references and where applicable, will need to undergo an enhanced DBS/PVG check.

Diversity Statement

As an organisation, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices and experiences of our staff. We know that representing the communities we serve is key to us meeting our goals of radically improving people's lives.

We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring and we encourage people from underrepresented communities and backgrounds to apply to join our team, including people with lived experience, people with disabilities, people from racialised communities, LGBTQ+ people, people of all ages, and armed forces veterans.

About Company

At We Are With You, we work with people on their own goals, whether that's staying safe and healthy, making small changes or stopping an unwanted habit altogether. We provide a free and confidential service without judgement to more than 100,000 people a year.

We use our expertise to improve the help available and raise awareness around drugs, alcohol, and mental health so that more people can get support.

We Are With You.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• SVQ level 3 Social Services and Healthcare or SVQ level 3 Community Development
• Knowledge and experience of working with people who are experiencing complex social and emotional circumstances including mental health difficulties
• Ability to work in a structured service, to follow a service model and collect information about the impact of the service
• Extensive effective interpersonal skills in working with people on a 1:1 basis, including the ability to learn and use recognised therapeutic techniques
• Knowledge about the impact of poverty and health inequalities on health and wellbeing
• Ability to establish professional relationships with multiple stakeholders; i.e. GP Practice teams, Social Work, Mental Health Services, and Money Advice Services
• Evidence of creating and maintaining community connections and networking abilities
• Experience of working independently, whilst upholding the policy and procedures of the organisation
• Ability to organise own workload and appointment system and use time efficiently to deliver a targeted number of appointments

Experience

• SVQ level 3 Social Services and Healthcare or SVQ level 3 Community Development
• Knowledge and experience of working with people who are experiencing complex social and emotional circumstances including mental health difficulties
• Ability to work in a structured service, to follow a service model and collect information about the impact of the service
• Extensive effective interpersonal skills in working with people on a 1:1 basis, including the ability to learn and use recognised therapeutic techniques
• Knowledge about the impact of poverty and health inequalities on health and wellbeing
• Ability to establish professional relationships with multiple stakeholders; i.e. GP Practice teams, Social Work, Mental Health Services, and Money Advice Services
• Evidence of creating and maintaining community connections and networking abilities
• Experience of working independently, whilst upholding the policy and procedures of the organisation
• Ability to organise own workload and appointment system and use time efficiently to deliver a targeted number of appointments

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.