Simon Community Scotland is the largest provider of homelessness services in Scotland. Our vision is for everyone to have a safe place to live, with access to the support they need. Every day we help make positive things happen for people facing extremely difficult circumstances. Everything we do is about and for people, the people we support, our staff, our partners and everyone affected by homelessness. Our values are built into every area of activity and tell the story of how people remain at the heart of Simon Community.
Day by day, person-to-person, we tailor what we offer to what people need. We are here to provide consistent, friendly and informed support so that people can explore options and take 'the next step' towards a positive future. We offer support across a range of service delivery points; Street Outreach teams, Housing First initiatives, Floating Support, Information Hubs, Managed Alcohol Program (MAP), Supported Accommodations, Emergency Accommodation, Rapid Access Accommodation, and our own rented properties. These services are delivered across many local authorities within Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, Edinburgh and Perth.
We welcome people with a wide range of skills and experiences to our team. To make a difference, we need to work flexibly, with everyday leadership and a 'can-do' approach. We want to make it right and make it happen – not only for the people we support, but also for each other.
Our #OneTeam ethos is core to who we are, and it means caring for and supporting each other regardless of our role, service or location. Find out more about our services here.
The Women’s Development Worker (Gambling Harms) is dedicated to engaging and supporting women as they navigate gambling-related harms and intersecting challenges of homelessness, substance use, and mental ill health. This role facilitates the development of positive social networks and the practical skills necessary to address complexities in a trauma-informed way.
Embedded within a team of skilled practitioners, the role focuses on creating psychologically safe environments that foster connection, empowerment, and the opportunity for the women we support to influence projects through co-design.
The Women’s Development Worker (Gambling Harms) will deliver direct, person-centered, place-based, and online support to women experiencing or at risk of gambling harms. They will be responsible for delivering person-centered support, promoting a culture of leadership and supporting risk-informed decision-making. Utilising a human rights-based approach, the worker ensures that all women have their rights upheld, assisting them in overcoming systemic barriers and accessing pathways required to live a life free from harm.
This role operates in direct partnership with the Women’s Connector. You will work collaboratively to share insight, co-facilitate sessions, and provide mutual cover and continuous support to deliver a seamless national service
Within this exciting new role, you will support women who are at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness. Based in Scotland, you will connect with and support women across the country who are impacted by gambling harms. Your work will involve developing and hosting safe, trauma-informed spaces where individuals can access support, engage in meaningful conversations, and better understand the harms linked with gambling.
By working directly with women, you will play a key part in creating supportive environments and fostering lasting connections. Central to your approach will be the delivery of a gendered response to harm; you will have the opportunity to utilise Aila’s (aila-scotland.co.uk) specialised "by women, for women" frameworks, ensuring that your support is tailored to navigate the specific systemic barriers and experiences faced by women in this space.
The Women’s Development Worker (Gambling Harms) will deliver vital 1-2-1 and group support to women navigating gambling harms and intersecting challenges. The focus of the role will be person-centred navigation, linking with internal services, and facilitating safe, trauma-informed support spaces
Provide high-quality practical support, both in-person across designated locations and digitally via Google platforms, covering gambling harms and intersecting challenges like homelessness, mental health, and substance use.
Lead the facilitation of in-person and digital support group spaces
Offer proactive problem-solving, de-escalation, and risk-informed support for women navigating high-pressure or complex situations.
Work alongside the Women's Connector to pick up connections made through Aila pathways, providing direct support and building ongoing relationships with women signposted to the service.
Advocate for women’s rights, provide clear information and referrals, and support women to navigate external statutory and third-sector support pathways.
Act as the primary bridge within Simon Community Scotland, connecting directly with internal service delivery teams to identify and support women impacted by gambling harms.
Apply Aila's specialised framework to ensure a tailored "by women, for women" support model across all activities.
Build honest, trusting relationships with women to promote attendance, champion diversity with dignity and respect, and amplify the voices of women with lived experience.
Deliver all support through a trauma-informed lens, ensuring environments and interactions remain safe, empowering, and respectful.
Assist in creating physical and digital materials to help women access clear information and support resources.
Keep detailed, accurate records, case notes, and outcome monitoring data in a professional and timely manner.
Work actively within a multidisciplinary team and develop connections with internal and external partners to raise awareness and share learning.
Use training, team debriefs, and reflective practice to continuously build skills and process the emotional demands of the role.
Maintain a proactive, self-motivated approach, with the flexibility to adapt working hours and travel across Scotland as service needs evolve.
Carry out any other duties as directed by the Programme Lead.
Inclusion & Participation
We include everyone in the services and resources they need, regardless of their circumstances and ensure each person's voice and influence are heard and felt in everything that we do.
Personalised & Creative
Each person we support is an individual with unique circumstances, needs and future potential which requires a uniquely tailored response.
Warmth & Regard
We see beyond a person's current or past circumstances, recognising their inherent value, worth and potential as human beings.
Partnership & Collaboration
We know we need to work positively with others to deliver a truly inclusive and personalised approach, improve our response and add value to the experience of the people we support.
Supportive & Ambitious
We encourage and support ambition, building on strengths to foster hope for the people we support as well as deliver growth and development for staff and volunteers.
Create and manage personalised support for individuals impacted by gambling, prioritising resources to help them achieve their specific goals.
Monitor progress and flexibly respond to the changing needs and complexities of those we support.
Maintain accurate and detailed records of interactions, ensuring data is captured promptly and professionally throughout your shift.
Design and coordinate sessions in collaboration with key stakeholders to ensure impactful delivery.
Proactively identify and coordinate awareness-raising initiatives to highlight gambling harm and its intersecting challenges.
Organise and lead 1-2-1 and group sessions, prioritising participant input to ensure support remains relevant and impactful.
Advance despite adversity, responding to challenging and difficult situations with a calm, professional, and composed approach.
Handle sensitive decisions with compassion and due regard for others, maintaining a positive and proactive attitude.
Act with care and compassion, demonstrating a clear commitment to the role and its importance in empowering individuals to live independently.
Bring hope through your words and actions, helping to build trust and change public perception of the causes of rough sleeping.
Carefully analyse problems, breaking down complex situations involving debt, housing, or substance use to find practical, person-centered solutions.
Innovate and think creatively to find bespoke solutions that fit an individual’s unique needs or personal history.
Recognise underlying triggers, quickly identifying when an individual is struggling and responding with a trauma-informed approach to de-escalate and support.
Work with colleagues in a supportive and collaborative way, fostering team togetherness and a positive, problem-solving vibe.
Be a reliable member of the team, participating actively in group meetings and sharing insights to improve our service continuously.
Foster positive relationships with our partners to ensure our support is coordinated and effective.
Communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders, including service users, partners, and other colleagues, adapting your communication style to be clear, empathetic, and respectful.
Encourage the participation and inclusion of the people you support by exploring choices and options with them in an accessible way.
Embrace and champion digital inclusion, helping clients, staff, and volunteers to connect, understand, and use digital tools safely. You will use our G-Suite, Chromebook, and smartphone to facilitate this.
Play an active role in our social media strategy by helping to create blogs, videos, and posts to change society's misconceptions about homelessness.
Essential
SSSC recognised practice qualification, SVQ Level 3, or willing to work toward
SSSC Registered
Demonstrable experience of working in a similar role
Ability to work within the parameters of the SSSC Code of Practice
Desirable
Qualification in Community Education, Psychology or related fields
Trauma informed practice
ASIST / MHFA / SafeTalk trained
Naloxone trained
First aid trained
Mental health or addictions qualifications
De-escalation skills
Essential
Experience in providing support to people with a range of challenges including homelessness, gambling harm, mental health, or substance use
Experience in coordinating events and delivering group-work
Experience in development work or working with community learning
Experience in managing and resolving conflict in a safe, calm manner
Desirable
Experience in providing trauma-informed care
We welcome people who have experienced gambling harm themselves or have been affected by someone else’s gambling to apply
Experience of working multi-agencies
Networking and connecting skills
Essential
Knowledge and understanding of advocacy and how to adopt a rights-based approach in practice
Experience of facilitating group work, organising training or planning events
Experience of working with people with a variety of individual and cultural beliefs
Ability to use empathy and relational skills to build positive relationships with our community and colleagues
Understanding of and ability to work within ethical and relational boundaries
Knowledge and understanding of homelessness, addictions and mental health
Evidence of good communication skills, written and verbal
Worked with a range of digital systems
Desirable
Understanding of services that support homelessness, addictions and mental health
Use of GSuite systems
An understanding of gambling related harms
Essential
As this is a facilitator role we welcome individuals who have experienced gambling harm themselves or have been affected by someone else’s gambling (this can include friends or family) to apply
Creative thinker who enjoys thinking outside the box and thrives in a changing environment
Honest, ethical and keen to overcome obstacles
Flexible, responsive
Enjoy working on your own initiative
A good team player with the ability to lead by example
Manage adversity while working in a complex ecosystem
Have the ability to reflect on your practice
Desirable
A desire to learn and to develop innovative practice
Please note that in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 (Schedule 9, Part 1, Paragraph 1), this post is open to women only.
To be eligible for this position, we require candidates to either hold British citizenship or have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor applications from candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.
Safe places and support for people experiencing homelessness.
We never underestimate the challenges the people we support have faced and continue to face on a daily basis. We are frequently amazed and astounded by the resilience and versatility of people who are excluded and stigmatized and their potential for recovery.
We deliver a range of services across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Lanarkshire and Perth.
We meet people where they are, walk side by side & we don't give up.
We provide street outreach, community support and accommodation support services working in partnership with many organisations who share our passion and commitment to people.
