Are you used to working with vulnerable people and/or people with multiple and complex needs within a safeguarding framework? Then join Shelter Scotland as a Homeless Patients Adviser and you could soon be playing a key role within a highly innovative short-life initiative aimed at helping people who are homeless.

A home is a fundamental human need, as essential as education or healthcare. Yet millions of people across Britain struggle on a daily basis with homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination and the threat of eviction. So, we are striving for change — with individuals, in communities, across society – and leading the way to a safe home. We need ambitious, best-in-class individuals who are passionate about our cause to join us at this exciting time. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

The Fife NHS Intervention project will is a highly innovative initiative to test a new approach to providing services in NHS Scotland hospitals for patients who are homeless. Key aims include improving working links between health and housing services, providing homeless individuals with the right support to improve their health outcomes and reducing re-admission rates among this cohort. The project will run from Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy and focus on developing an innovative service delivery model to support the Scottish Government’s decisive shift towards preventative spending in Scotland’s public services.

About the role

You’ll play a lead role in setting up and establishing this service, in collaboration with hospital staff and partner agencies. Your focus will be on promoting and embedding the delivery model and referral pathways, raising awareness, undertaking patient assessments, setting up and coordinating housing plans and collating statistical information on hospital discharge. In short, you’ll help deliver a highly innovative intervention targeting homeless people attending the Emergency Department of Victoria Hospital. And, because it’s a developmental role, there will be significant opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills and enhance your career, as well as the chance to gain a professional SQA accredited housing qualification.

About you

You’ll need proven experience of preparing, planning and delivering briefings and/or group work sessions and working with a wide variety of stakeholders, both statutory and non-statutory. We’ll also be looking for a proactive, customer-focused approach and a real commitment to achieving the very best outcomes for clients. Someone who is great at influencing others, you’re able to maintain your professionalism and communicate effectively in a range of situations too. What’s more, you're not afraid to challenge the status quo and introduce new ideas when appropriate. Proficiency using a range of IT tools, including case management systems and Microsoft Office applications is also required, with the ability to type preferred.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

Shelter Scotland helps over half a million people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help.