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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.

Our Values

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.

Core Competencies

Planning and Organising

• 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.

Resilience

• 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.

Motivation

• 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.

Problem Solving

• 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.

Teamwork

• 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.

Communication & Digital Enablement

• 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.

Person Specification

Training & Qualification

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

Experience

Essential

• Experience in providing support to people with a range of