Independent Living Support (ILS) are seeking a motivated support worker with a background or interest in mental & emotional wellbeing to work from our Dumfries office.
ILS is a unique grassroots charity serving D&G. We are expanding our work to assist those who require help with independent living skills through self-directed support (SDS). ILS are looking for individuals with a passion to help people remain independent in their own homes and/or support people to become more independent with their living skills.
Our work is based on motivating people, making people feel good about their lives and improving their situations. The work is varied and interesting so the ideal candidate with need to use good human skills and creative approaches to solving challenging situations.
Our worker will be based at our Dumfries town office but will need to be flexible and willing to work independently with their caseload day-to-day. ILS are a responsive team and pride ourselves on the support we provide to clients and equally the supportive environment for our staff. The ILS team are adaptable and forward thinking.
To provide practical and emotional support to vulnerable people or people experiencing hardship over 13 years of age. The aim is to create a support plan of the clients needs in line with Social Work requirements that will be set out in each individuals contract with Independent Living Support.
JOB DESCRIPTION
To provide outreach support – both emotional and practical – to people in their own homes or agreed locations.
To assess the needs of vulnerable people referred and involve them in making a personalised support plan in line with what support Social Services would like for the client.
To undertake regular reviews of support plans and targets with service users and Social Services.
To conduct risk assessments and regularly review these.
To provide support around improving life skills, for example, budgeting, making meal plans, dealing with correspondence and managing rent payments.
To support Service Users in using local services and facilities, including health, education and work opportunities in order to achieve their personal goals as agreed in their support plans.
To encourage peer support in or with community groups
To undertake all aspect of Case Management using computers and mobile devices.
To support service users in making plans for their future e.g. accessing training or education, work experience or volunteering opportunities.
To support the service user to overcome barriers causing social isolation, encouraging access to community groups and recreational facilities.
To work effectively with other specialist agencies to meet any additional needs of the service user. This involves identifying and making appropriate referrals, liaising with other agencies and ensuring the service user is able to access these services. It may also include keeping the clients Social Worker up to date with progress.
Researching and keeping up to date information about community resources/ agencies that service users may benefit from.
To provide holistic and practical advice on managing mental health and illness.
Links with other agencies
To attend relevant meeting, forums or case conferences.
To actively promote the services that ILS provides.
To work closely with Social Care Services around issues of Child Protection and Adult Support and
Protection
To work closely with other agencies involved in a service users care.
Monitoring
To maintain, update and organise own case paperwork using Charity Log system.
To monitor mental wellbeing using agreed organisational tools
To provide regular information to your manager for contracts monitoring purposes.
To ensure the service user and Social Services are confident in ILS providing support.
General
To produce appropriate and well-written reports as and when required.
To attend any training as a requirement for the job role.
To abide by organisational policies, codes of conduct and practices.
To be flexible within the broad remit of the post.
To be self-motivated, committed and take responsibility.
To attend Team Meetings and participate in supervision and appraisal processes.
This list of duties is not exhaustive and the post holder may be asked to carry out other duties through discussions with line manager. The post holder will do all tasks within his/her level of skill and ability.
For informal enquiries or more information please contact: enquiries@ils-dumfries.co.uk
*For successful short-listed candidates interviews will be held the week of 22nd April 2025
