Job Description

Care Support Scotland

We are a charity with decades of experience supporting people across Scotland, providing those who need us with support that ranges from Mental Health, Learning Disability and Neurodiversity, Youth and Adult Homelessness and Older People services. Guided by our values of Respect and Compassion, we empower both the people we support and our colleagues to Thrive every day

Why work with us?

At Care Support Scotland caring isn’t just a job — it’s who we are. Join our dedicated team and help transform lives while growing your own career.

• Pension contributions matched up to 6%
• Financial Flexibility – Access your wages as you earn them with our Earned Wage Access benefit.
• Employee Assistance Programme through HSF
• Contribution to HSF Health Plan – supporting your everyday health needs
• Generous annual leave – 33 days including public holidays, increasing with service
• Supportive absence policies to help when you need time off
• Death in Benefit Cover – 2x annual salary
• Support with funded qualifications
• Career development and progression opportunities

Who are we looking for?

Are you passionate about supporting people to overcome challenges, build stability, and move towards independent living? Do you have experience in social care and a commitment to equality and inclusion? If so, we want to hear from you.

We’re recruiting a Senior Support Worker to lead frontline delivery of personalised, high-quality, and compassionate support to individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. You'll be part of a dedicated team delivering tenancy support, housing management assistance, and wellbeing services tailored to individual needs.

About the Service

Pentland House works with young people and adults. It can receive Out of Hours referrals from Midlothian Council and can also provide urgent accommodation provision for people who require accommodation in the evenings or at weekends.

The service supports people with a range of needs, sometimes complex in nature. Some residents have experienced relationship breakdown and trauma, domestic abuse and can have acute mental health needs and/or require support with their substance use.

The service is designed around trauma informed practice, and the staff team works to harm reduction principles. The service has staffing 24/7, to ensure that people receive support whenever they need it.

Role and Responsibilities

• Apply your knowledge of best practice, codes of practice and current regulations in the social care sector and ensure the provision of a high quality and socially inclusive service
• Manage and co-produce support plans and contribute to support reviews
• Assist Service Managers and Team Leaders with service referrals and staff interviewing & selection procedures
• Take on the role of shift leader in the absence of the Service Manager
• Assist in managing a team of Support Workers by reviewing the delivery of support and ensure staff are following the correct policy and procedures.

Essential Skills and Attributes

• Experience of providing support to people who have experienced homelessness, mental ill health, and drug and alcohol use.
• Experience of working in a fast-paced environment which requires a dynamic approach to problem solving.
• SVQ3 in Social Care or willing to work towards.
• SSSC registered or willing to become so.
• Ability to use empathy and relational skills to build positive relationships within our community and with colleagues.
• An understanding of and ability to work within ethical and relational boundaries.

Desired Skills and Attributes

• Experience of working with a range of agencies as a team
• Networking and skills making meaningful connections
• Awareness around Trauma Informed Practice
• ASSIST/Mental Health First Aid trained
• Naloxone trained
• Knowledge and understanding of the causes of homelessness, substance use and mental health including Attachment Theory and Adverse Childhood Experiences.
• Understanding of services that support homelessness, substance use and mental health.
• Experience in line managing a team.

Additional Notes

• Shift work, weekend work may be a requirement of this role.
• PVG scheme membership & SSSC registration are requirements of this post
• Please note, you will be asked to provide evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK.
• We reserve the right to bring the closing date forward if a suitable candidate is identified.

Care Support Scotland is an equal opportunities employer and always welcomes applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy and maternity

Closing Date: 5th October 2026