Are you a creative and motivated individual with the passion and drive to support people with a recent diagnosis of dementia to live well in their community?

If so, you can be part of a National Team of Post Diagnostic Support Link Workers (PDS Link Workers) providing high quality, person centered support to people living with dementia and their families for a minimum of a year following diagnosis in line the Scottish Government’s minimum guarantee.

The aim of the PDS National Service is to enable people to live well with dementia and is centered around Alzheimer Scotland's 5 pillar model so that people move on to a period of supported self- management.

The model includes understanding the illness and coming to terms with the diagnosis, peer support, connecting and maintaining links with their community along with planning for future care and decision making to develop an outcome focused plan to support their future hopes, desires and aspirations.

Supporting our Dumfries and Galloway locality, the post will be based within the Community Mental Health Teams. Alzheimer Scotland’s PDS Link Workers are required to be effective team workers and have the skills to build and maintain relationships with colleagues both within Alzheimer Scotland, the NHS and other stakeholders.

Skills in using digital platforms are essential as we use a blended approach to support people that involve some virtual meetings and on-line groups.

Applicants must hold a recognised relevant professional qualification to a minimum of SVQ level 4, have a good understanding of dementia and how it affects people and their families along with excellent communication skills, a warm flexible approach, combined with skills in empathy and relationship building.

In addition, you should have skills and knowledge at the Enhanced Level of the Promoting Excellence Framework or be able to evidence you are working towards its completion.

This post requires a full driving license and access to a car.

Are you a creative and motivated individual with the passion and drive to support people with a recent diagnosis of dementia to live well in their community?

If so, you can be part of a National Team of Post Diagnostic Support Link Workers (PDS Link Workers) providing high-quality, person-centred support to people living with dementia and their families for a minimum of a year following diagnosis in line the Scottish Government’s minimum guarantee.

The aim of the PDS National Service is to enable people to live well with dementia and is centred around Alzheimer Scotland's 5 pillar model so that people move on to a period of supported self- management.

The model includes understanding the illness and coming to terms with the diagnosis, peer support, connecting and maintaining links with their community along with planning for future care and decision making to develop an outcome focused plan to support their future hopes, desires and aspirations.

Supporting our Perth locality, the post will be based within the North Perthshire Community Mental Health Team. Alzheimer Scotland’s PDS Link Workers are required to be effective team workers and have the skills to build and maintain relationships with colleagues both within Alzheimer Scotland, the NHS and other stakeholders.

Skills in using digital platforms are essential as we use a blended approach to support people that involve some virtual meetings and on-line groups.

Applicants must hold a recognised relevant professional qualification, have a good understanding of dementia and how it affects people and their families along with excellent communication skills, a warm flexible approach, combined with skills in empathy and relationship building.

In addition, you should have skills and knowledge at the Enhanced Level of the Promoting Excellence Framework or be able to evidence you are working towards its completion.

This post requires a full driving license and access to a car.

Change Mental Health is a leading national mental health charity providing unique support to people with severe and enduring mental ill health. With over 50 years’ experience across Scotland, we believe people affected by poor mental health and illness deserve the highest quality of support in the community and that every person has the right to be valued and to share in the opportunities, challenges, and joys of everyday life.

In this varied and exciting role, you will support service users to achieve their identified goals by facilitating structured group and one-to-one activities that allow those taking part to improve existing employability skills as well as develop new ones. Working as part of the Employability Team the role offers you an opportunity to be innovative and creative in meeting the needs of those who use the Service.

The ideal candidate should be someone who can work as part of a team, be creative in their approach to working with people, have excellent communication skills and have a sense of humour. They should be educated to SVQ Level 2 or its equivalent, and be willing to complete an SVQ3 after probation.

Key Responsibilities:

• I work as part of a team building positive working relationships
• In partnership with service users, I implement outcome focussed development plans as designed/overseen by my line manager so enable service users to achieve their identified goals
• To achieve outcomes, I can employ a number of appropriate intervention strategies including positive communication skills
• Ongoing risk assessment is integral to my practice to ensure the wellbeing of service users
• I can demonstrate group work skills which bring people together in a safe environment
• I have an awareness of appropriate professional boundaries including confidentiality
• I contribute to service user goals and outcomes by working in partnership across a number of organisations sourcing appropriate community support and opportunities

Essential Criteria:

• I am educated to SVQ level 2 or have relevant experience working in health and social care
• I can plan and prioritise my workload
• My professional self -awareness means that I can seek support and advice from my line manager appropriately and participate in supervision and support meetings positively
• I am empathetic
• My personal and professional value base is consistent with the aims and objectives of Support in Mind Scotland
• My practice is firmly based within a model of recovery
• I demonstrate genuine regard for service users and their families
• I have good I.T. skills and can produce accurate case notes
• I am enthusiastic to develop my knowledge and skills

Benefits

Professional development including funded opportunities.

A generous 37 days’ holiday.

A 35-hour working week, enhanced sick pay & season ticket loan.

A great work life balance with flexible and blended working environment.

24/7 access to an award-winning Employee Assistance Programme providing free legal, financial and medical advice as well as support with life’s challenges.

Enhanced sick pay and leave entitlements

Paid Mental Wellbeing Days

Cycle to Work Scheme

Blue Light Discount Card

Would you like to make a difference to the lives of People Living with Dementia in Midlothian?

We are looking for a unique individual who can provide person- centred support for those individuals living with dementia who attend our Day Care centre in Midlothian and Community Activity Groups.

Supporting individuals to keep connected to their communities, engage in their interests and hobbies and access peer support. Working during weekdays, the use of a car is essential (mileage and expenses are paid).

A flexible approach is essential, so you will have the ability and willingness to cover sessions in a planned way due to annual leave, training, or last minute cover.

Successful applicants will have a positive approach to dementia. You will also have good communication skills and a caring attitude. A willingness to learn and participate in training (including SVQ’s) and registration with the SSSC is essential. Relevant qualifications and/or experience of working with people with dementia would be an advantage.