ENABLE Scotland is a dynamic and vibrant organisation dedicated to improving the lives of people with learning disabilities and we are looking for a dynamic and motivated Local Area Coordinator to join us in ensuring they have the same opportunities as everyone else.

Local Area Coordination is an exciting approach that supports people with learning disabilities and sensory impairments to build and pursue their vision for a good life, stay strong and resilient, and which results in services which are more personal, local, flexible and accountable. Local Area Coordinators build connections, nurture inclusive and self-supporting communities, and support system change and transformation of public services.

ENABLE Scotland are looking for a new Local Area Coordinator based in Midlothian. We are looking for someone who is an excellent communicator and advocator for the human rights of individuals and families, has awareness of the local community and the services on offer there, and the ability to think creatively to find solutions.

About You

Local Area Co-ordination is a preventative, asset-based approach to supporting people to connect to their communities and build meaningful lives. The aim of the service is to provide accurate information; build communities that are more inclusive by supporting local people, families, groups and organisations; build individual and collective capacity and enhance lives and communities as a result. The work of the LAC team is underpinned by the core values, principles and practice of inclusion. At the heart of this is the right of disabled people and their families to participate in all aspects of community, private, public and social life.

As a Local Area Coordinator in Midlothian you would work with people with a learning disability, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, physical disability or sensory impairment, and their families (from birth to 64 years of age).

As a Local Area Coordinator you will:

• Help connect people to social networks, community networks and facilities across all spheres of life.
• Support organisations, individuals and families to challenge and address inequality and social exclusion.
• Work with disabled people and their families, public service partners, and community groups and organisations.
• Work flexibly across organisational and professional boundaries.

About Us

At ENABLE Scotland we believe in developing all our staff and we provide an extensive learning programme together with in-house career development opportunities.

Starting a career with ENABLE Scotland is the first step towards making a real difference in our award-winning charity’s mission to help create an equal society for every person who has a learning disability.

ENABLE Scotland is an equal opportunities employer and our recruitment, selection and assessment process is based entirely on values, skills and competencies required of the specific roles.

Midlothian Young Peoples Advice Service (MYPAS) promotes the health and wellbeing of young people across East Lothian and Midlothian and currently focuses on working in the areas of mental health and substance use. MYPAS is a community-based organisation with charitable status and based in Dalkeith.

The postholder will be responsible for providing counselling with children and young people aged 10-18 who reside in East Lothian. The postholder will assist in establishing, developing, delivering, evaluating and reporting on, the School Counselling service.

Qualified to Diploma level in a Counselling therapeutic discipline, a member of a recognised professional body (either BACP or COSCA) and have experience of working with children and young people, you will also be committed to delivering a service according to best practice and within community settings.

The postholder will work within a multi-disciplinary environment and work effectively with other agencies, especially schools, in partnership settings.

MYPAS will deliver a School Counselling service across East Lothian. MYPAS is providing this service on a contract basis for East Lothian Council.

This post may require evening and occasional weekend work.

· The post is funded for an initial fixed term until 31st March 2023 (This is a three year agreement with the option of 2 additional periods of 1 year extensions). The post may involve evening and occasional weekend working.

· You must be able to travel across East Lothian.

The administrative base is in Dalkeith. Travel throughout East Lothian including operating from other venues, will be required.

Introduction

We are seeking a dynamic, creative and results-oriented individual who can help Play Midlothian to grow and develop.

The purpose of the post is to effectively identify, develop and secure opportunities to increase income from diverse sources and to develop our service offering to a variety of stakeholders.

About Play Midlothian

Play Midlothian is a registered charity (no. SC025474) working to support children to thrive through play. We focus on play because we know how much this benefits children’s health, wellbeing and development. It is important for their lives in the here and now as well as for their future life chances. We provide services for children and families and build the capacity of communities to support play. This includes training and development opportunities for other settings, including schools. We have an office base in Gorebridge but deliver services throughout Midlothian, and if commissioned, beyond.

About the role

Play Midlothian has expanded in services, income and reach over recent years. We now need additional capacity to drive the next stage of development. As we will soon be entering another phase of strategic planning, it is an exciting time to join the organisation, and play a significant role in shaping and securing its future. We also have plans to launch new and expanded services in 2021, and therefore have a need for increased income.

At the same time, competition for funds has never been higher. Play Midlothian has been largely dependent on income from trusts and foundations. An impact of COVID-19 has been to reduce investment income for trusts, whilst also increasing competition for these funds, and applicant success rates are down. There is therefore a need for Play Midlothian to diversify income streams, including away from trusts and foundations into sale of services and securing contracts, a key focus for the postholder.

Some building blocks are already in place. Play Midlothian has a track record of delivering highly regarded training, and has recently secured funds to make some of that available as online modules. Additionally, we have received commissions to provide services for some schools. These are services that can be packaged and marketed by the postholder.

Alongside what will hopefully be some quick wins in terms of self-generated income, the postholder will develop a strategic approach to Play Midlothian’s income diversification and growth, and formulate plans that yield results in the medium to long term.

The post is grant funded for one year through Adapt and Thrive, COVID-19 recovery funding. If the postholder is able to meet their income targets, the post may be financially viable to continue beyond this point. There may also be scope to grow the hours of the post as Play Midlothian grows and develops.