Self Directed Support Scotland supports and champions a growing membership of 60 organisations that help people in Scotland who are accessing social care. We are also managing an increasing workload implementing the SDS Improvement Plan which aims to make our social care system better. We do this work in partnership with Scottish Government and a number of stakeholder organisations. The Administration Officer position, initially offered on a flexible part-time basis, will have a mixture of responsibilities around supporting our team with internal administration but will also be key to handling external enquiries by phone, email and social media. To do this effectively, a combination of communication skills and capacity for understanding the issues and difficulties faced by people accessing social care is desirable. This could come from lived experience of using social care, being an unpaid carer, or a good understanding of disability, for example. Essential to the role are initiative and organisation skills, a desire to help, excellent IT skills and an excellent phone manner.

The role is expected to be office based in Edinburgh, with occasional national travel for events. Confidence to use financial, communications and database software along with Office 365 is a requirement.

A full Job Description and Person Specification is available for download below.

The development of a National Training Framework is a priority for the Scottish Government through the Personal Assistant Programme Board. They are committed to recognising the valuable contribution Personal Assistants (PAs) make to support people to live independent and full lives as citizens. PA recruitment, wellbeing, development and recognition is crucial to sustain the PA workforce and where appropriate, build appropriate connections with the social care workforce and vice versa.

Two experienced training developers who will have skills across training strategy and content creation will make up a small team supported by Self Directed Support Scotland. Both roles require understanding and respect of the unique relationship and responsibilities disabled PA employers have with their PAs. One role is likely to focus on developing the framework and structure while the other the content, but they must be symbiotic in nature and jointly deliver the expected output. It is crucial that both the role of the PA employer and the PA is recognised as different from that of a social care worker. The framework will recognise the transferability of skills within different setting without compromising the PA and PA employer relationship.

The roles on offer will suit people with lived experience of using PAs or a broader connection to self-directed support direct payments. It may also suit those who have experience in the development of training materials using several different mediums to meet the needs of a wide range of participants.

The two positions will total 42 hours per week. Applicants are encouraged to say how the role could be adapted to meet their needs to ensure they can contribute their full range of skills to the role. This includes the opportunity to discuss the number of hours they could work. This is likely to be a maximum of 28 hours and a minimum of 14 hours per week which can be organised to meet the needs of the successful applicant while meeting the demands of the role.

The Self Directed Support Scotland vision is “A Scotland where quality Self-directed Support is available to all as a route to Independent Living”. Our mission is “to work collaboratively to incorporate local Independent Support in every aspect of social care design and delivery, ensuring the needs and views of people accessing social care support and their support networks are valued and represented.” To deliver this SDSS champions local Independent Support Organisations who provide quality advice and support for accessing Self-directed Support (SDS). We have a rapidly growing membership of independent and Disabled People’s Organisations and we aim to widen their influence in improving social care outcomes for disabled people and social care users.

Our focus in recruitment is to find the right people first, and look at how the team can be built around the skills and experience of those who have passion and connection to user led organisations, issues in social care or the liberating ethos of the social model of disability. All applicants will have confidence in contributing to and delivering our communication strategy across a wide range of events and media, including accessible formats and know how to articulate complex issues and positively engage our member organisations.

To attract maximum remuneration our Communications and Events Manager might also have experience in policy work and understanding of Scottish social care reform. This could include the development of the National Care Service and Personal Assistant workforce, with the potential to direct SDSS in its strategy and delivery and represent SDSS confidently in these areas. Applicants are encouraged to say how the role could be adapted to meet their skills and needs, including the number of hours they would like to offer up to 35 (full time) and a likely minimum of 14 hours.

Are you an advocate for the Independent Living Movement in Scotland? If you support the philosophy of Independent Living and champion quality social care delivery, then we’d love to hear from you.

We’re looking for Trustees to join the Self Directed Support Scotland (SDSS) Board and Management Committee. This exciting role presents the opportunity to influence the future work and governance of SDSS.

About Self Directed Support Scotland

Self Directed Support Scotland represents organisations run by and for disabled people. Our members support thousands of people across Scotland with their social care choices. Together we work to ensure that SDS is implemented successfully so that people have full choice and control over their lives. We do this by:

Supporting our members in the delivery of their services to provide local independent information, advice and support to those at each stage of their social care journey.

Signposting individuals at each stage of their social care journey.

Representing our members nationally to discuss SDS implementation.

Showcasing good practice from those involved with SDS.

Providing health and social care professionals, other voluntary organisations and educational institutions with the resources they need to champion SDS.

Conducting research which recognises the power of lived experience.